CONFIRMATION
CONFIRMATION CLASS 2023
Well, it’s that time of year again! We are beginning a NEW CONFIRMATION CLASS here at Memorial UMC! We believe that it will be an exciting and fun time to learn and understand more about God, the Church, and the Bible.
Just in case you aren’t sure WHAT CONFIRMATION is…
“CONFIRMation” is a class that is taught by Rodney during the Sunday School time (Sunday mornings at 10 AM) AND it is designed to give a young person an overview of the Christian faith. CONFIRMATION is also a time to confirm or “make real” the faith that has been developing in you as a result of living and growing up in a Christian community since you were a little kid. CONFIRMATION is a process that will lead to an opportunity to join the church, get baptized (if you haven’t already done so), and make a “public profession” of your faith in the safety of a church that cares about you and wants to support you in this NEXT, BIG step in your faith. (Just a little side note: If you were baptized, or your family has already joined the church, before you turned 18 years old, then you were likely placed on something called the “Preparatory Membership Roll”, which means that you are being “prepared” to join the church as a FULL MEMBER. CONFIRMATION is the NEXT step in this process AND at the end of Confirmation, you will be able to decide for yourself if you want to join the church as a FULL MEMBER!)
CONFIRMATION is a chance to learn and ask questions about the basics of the Christian faith so that you can make an EDUCATED DECISION about your spiritual future. There will be information and ideas that you will learn, but more importantly, there will be opportunities for you to ask questions about concepts that might be unclear or that your can’t figure out without a little help. (Rodney doesn’t have ALL the answers, but together we can figure out what God is trying to do in our lives! We hope to include a wide range of activities and information to make this process a fun and interesting experience in the life of each participant (also known as a “Confirmand”).
It is important to try to attend each class this spring. A little further down the page there is a full schedule, which we will go over at the FIRST CLASS on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18.. If you have any questions or want to know more please contact RODNEY (336) 472-7718 or (336) 906-3036, and thank you very much!
– Rodney
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
CONFIRMATION is a CLASS that most United Methodists go through only once in their lives. SO, ANYONE who has not already been “confirmed” is invited to participate in this year’s Confirmation Class.
To be clear… CONFIRMATION is offered at a time when young people are approaching a point in their lives when they are becoming curious about spiritual matters AND they able to make personal faith decisions for themselves. With this in mind, we tend to focus on STUDENTS who are in 6th GRADE & OLDER YOUTH as our main source of participants. However, neither you nor your parents need to be a member of Memorial UMC to participate. It is open to anyone who wants to participate. So, if you know a friend who may be interested in a class like this class, please encourage them to talk to Rodney about joining this year’s Confirmation Class. Likewise, if there are Students who are old enough to participate, but not quite ready to make a commitment at this point in their lives, we recognize the individual freedom of that decision as well. Finally, it DOES NOT matter if you have been baptized or not! (BAPTISM has traditionally marked the public act that signifies a person’s entry into a community of faith. Some people are baptized as infants, others wait until the person can make this decision for themselves. Either way, CONFIRMATION is FOR YOU!)
CONFIRMATION CLASS SCHEDULE
– 2024 –
- FEBRUARY 18 – INTRODUCTION to CONFIRMATION!
- FEBRUARY 25 – Class 1: Faith, Truth, & Reality
- MARCH 3 – Class 2: What is God?
- MARCH 10 – Class 3: Who is God?
- MARCH 17 – IGNITEUS Youth Retreat: (NO CLASS)
- MARCH 24 – Class 4: Who are YOU?
- MARCH 31 – Class 5: Who is Jesus?
- APRIL 7 – Class 6: The PLAN!
- APRIL 14 – Class 7: Who is the Holy Spirit?
- APRIL 21 – Class 8: This is the LIFE!
- APRIL 28 – Class 9: The Word
- MAY 5 – Class 10: The Church
- MAY 12 – Class 11/12: Those Crazy Methodists/WRAP UP
- MAY 20 – 22 – EXIT INTERVIEWS (schedule with Rodney)
- THURSDAY, MAY 23 – PARENT/CONFIRMAND MEAL & SERVICE WALK-THROUGH
- MAY 19 – Confirmation Celebration
WHEN IS CONFIRMATION?
SUNDAY MORNINGS
FEBRUARY 18 – MAY 19
10 – 10:45 AM
WHERE IS CONFIRMATION?
YOUTH ROOM – (CEC 206)
WHAT DO I NEED FOR CONFIRMATION?
Please bring the following items to EACH class:
• A Bible (you will be provided with your very own BIBLE at The INTRODUCTION!!!)
• A Pen (or Pencil)
• Your “Confirmation Notebook” (you will also get this at the INTRODUCTION!)
***IMPORTANT DATES***
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 – CONFIRMATION INTRODUCTION
CONFIRMATION INTRODUCTION will be for all potential confirmation participants, anyone wishing to participate this year in the Confirmation process. At this time, you will learn about what we hope to do this Spring during the classes and meet everyone who wishes to be involved. Please be at this meeting!
SUNDAY, MARCH 17
We will take a break this Sunday due to our SPRING YOUTH Retreat. Hopefully, you will all be with me at the IGNITEUS Retreat (MARCH 24-25) at Camp Hanes, but if not, please feel free to join the Youth School Sunday School Class on this Sunday.
SUNDAY, MARCH 31: EASTER SUNDAY
Be sure to come to this class! We will be talking about the importance of Easter and what it means for us that Jesus is alive. We will be talking about God’s plan of Salvation and how we can fit into God’s plan. It’s kind of a BIG DEAL!
MAY 20-22 INTERVIEWS WITH RODNEY!
Everyone will need to schedule an interview with Rodney (takes about 30 minutes) the week before the Confirmation Celebration. Please call Rodney at the church office (472-7718) OR on his cell phone (906-3036) or see him in person to schedule this meeting!
MAY 23 (6 PM) PARENT/CONFIRMAND DINNER
You and your parents are invited to an informal Supper with the Memorial UMC Clergy. We will have a meal, a short Confirmation Service Walk-through and a question-and-answer time before you make the commitment to join the church.
SUNDAY, MAY 19 (PENTECOST SUNDAY!) CONFIRMATION CELEBRATION
This will be the end of the Confirmation process. Confirmands will be introduced in the 8:50 AM service (be at church by 8:30 AM) and there will be a ceremony in the sanctuary during the 11 AM Worship Service! Be sure that you AND YOUR PARENT(S) are going to be here for this! THIS is VERY important because this is a MAJOR step in your Faith Journey!
HOW DO I JOIN THE CLASS?
Contact Rodney:
Mobile/Text (336) 906-3036
Office: (336) 472-7718
Email: rdenton@mumctville.org
Address: 101 Randolph Street
SEE YOU AT THE CONFIRMATION INTRODUCTION CLASS: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 in the “RECREATION” ROOM (where the pool table is) (Second floor of the Christian Enrichment Center ROOM #206)