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Confirmation |
Confirmation lies at the center of the Middle School experience . . . it is the piece that brings it all together. On Wednesdays we gather for class, faith sharing and good times.
Farmington Lutheran’s Confirmation program begins in the fall of 6th grade and concludes in the fall of students’ 9th grade year. Confirmation is designed to establish, encourage, and strengthen a lifestyle of discipleship and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ among young people, and to assist parents and sponsors in fulfilling the promises made at the child’s baptism. Confirmation is an optional program at Farmington Lutheran but once you register, the program and its’ requirements are no longer optional.
Throughout the school year, students and adult mentors meet on Wednesday nights for Theme Events utilizing small and large group activities to foster community and facilitate discussion on a variety of topics.
In addition to Wednesday night classes, students also participate in service projects and worship experiences throughout the year and one retreat per year during their three-year confirmation experience.
Contact: Arlan Olson
Confirmation Goals:
The Lutheran Statement: Confirmation is a pastoral and educational ministry of the church, which helps the baptized child through Word and Sacrament to identify more deeply with the Christian community and participate more fully in its mission.
The Farmington Lutheran Church Statement: Confirmation is the process of engaging our young people in cognitive, fellowship, and service activities so that this religious and spiritual culture guides their lives in and out of church. Our goal is that the young people of Farmington Lutheran will discover their spiritual gifts thus living out God’s calling (purpose) in their lives.
Research demonstrates that exemplary youth programs of two major components, active adult ministry (mentors for life) and high expectations of young people. We will continue to build our confirmation instruction with these foundational components as our guide.
Our intention is to provide a high-quality educational experience for our children. In the secular space, we move to school districts with exceptional reputations and send our young people to colleges with high standards and expectations. Our staff is willing to put more effort and time in order to achieve a confirmation program with integrity and Christian principles. Our parents have high expectations of education in Farmington and we intend to meet those expectations in our church. If we are willing to achieve highly in the secular world, what more do we attend to achieve for our Lord who has given us these gifts and abilities?
Large/Small group time: to learn the Lutheran expressions and doctrines that define our faith; to learn more deeply the Biblical applications in our life experiences; to connect with others in faithful discussions both adult mentors and peers; to fulfill the Baptismal promises, “As they grow in years …provide for their instruction in the Christian faith …” attendance at all of these sessions is expected.
Acolyte and Cross Bearing: to gain deeper understanding of the liturgy and worship of the church through participation.
Service Projects: to put faith into action in several areas of contact, church, community, world, and practice justice and mercy. The Baptismal promise “living in the covenant of their baptism and in communion of the Church, they may lead godly lives until the day of Jesus Christ” is reflected by doing projects together (in communion) with faithful reflection of the practicum of theology.
Celebrations of Faith: to put importance on the cognitive perspective of faith and to articulate our faith to the world with the information obtained in Large Group time. The promise to provide in the instruction of the faith from the Baptismal vows is evaluated through this tool.
Synagogue: to create an experience with Christian historical roots and a respectful appreciation for other faiths, particularly the Jewish faith whom many nations and peoples have oppressed.
Ninth grade evening of sharing and memorization: the Affirmation of Baptism implies that the faith the confirmand has received from parents, godparents, and other influences is now one he/she takes ownership. Each confirmand must be able to articulate this faith in public where the gospel takes root. Memorization is the basic treasures of the church that each Christian holds onto and the baptismal promise is made – the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the 10 Commandments.
Wapogasset Bible Camp (Retreat): through a weeklong experience, a youth participates in many faith-enhancing exercises in worship, fellowship, Bible Studies, and mentorship. Relationships are built with peers from Farmington Lutheran and other churches, with college aid young adults who are living the faith, and adults who operate the camp. The camping experience is entrenched in the recent history of the church as one of the most significant faith enhancing events for most young people. This intense week meets many of the Baptismal promises stated in the LBW.
9th Grade Celebration Lock-in (Retreat): This a time when all of our 9th grade confirmands can gather together to celebrate not just their confirmation but a time for them to celebrate all the gifts that God has given to them. It is also chance for them to explore how they may use these gifts in their continued Faith Journey and here at Farmington Lutheran Church.