Confirmation at St. John Lutheran Church is a three year program which meets on Wednesday from September through May from 6:00 - 6:55 p.m.

Each class will consist of 4-6 students that will be led by an adult guide (or teacher).  In a few cases there may be seven students to a class, but no more.

Lesson format will be: 15 minutes in large group opening, 30 minutes in small group, 10 minutes in large group closing.

The program is open to students Grades 6 - 8.

Units of Study

Confirmation Materials

Students are responsible for bringing the following items each week:

• Themselves (attendance is required)
• Bible
• Luther's Small Catechism (provided)
• Curriculum folder
• Writing Utensil

Ministry Opportunities

The following are Ministry Opportunities for you to grow in your faith. If you are unable to complete any of these Ministry Opportunities during your 3 years due to scheduling conflicts or other situations it is your responsibility to create another ministry opportunity which would help you grow in your faith.  You are responsible to make these presentations to the Pastor or Confirmation Coordinator early in your confirmation process.  Please do not wait until a month or two before your confirmation date.          

1. ATTENDANCE – Attendance is expected each week & for ALL Wednesday Lenten Worship Services. Classes missed due to illness or family emergencies will be made up by arrangement of the student and their Guide. When West De Pere Schools cancel or release early due to weather, we will cancel Confirmation.  We will make up those missed classes and FLOW Activities on designated days.
   
   
2. SERMON NOTES – 75 Sermon Notes need to be completed in the three years.  The purpose of Sermon Notes are: -To develop listening skills - To grow in the understanding of God's word and what it means to us. - To encourage regular FAMILY attendance at Sunday/Wednesday services in order to worship God and share in fellowship.  Additional opportunities for gaining extra Sermon Notes will be posted near where you turn in your Sermon Notes. View the Sermon Notes format.
   
   
3. F.L.O.W. ACTIVITIES – Our congregation uses F.L.O.W. (Fellowship, Learning, Outreach, Worship) Activities in a Confirmation setting to encouraging participation and understanding of the workings of the church. It helps bridge the gap between being a kid in the church, to being a Confirmed member of the church.  It makes the students become more aware and comfortable with the responsibilities that come with being a Confirmed member of St John Lutheran Church. What is F.L.O.W.?
   
   Students will complete one activity from each category and one out of a category of the student's choice.
   
   
4. ACOLYTING – The acolyte schedule for each month can be found in the monthly newsletter.  The purpose of acolyting is: To involve the students in the worship service, as responsible members of the Body of Christ here at St. John.  To help students learn to be good stewards of their time and talents.  To develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the liturgy through personal involvement. 
   
   
5. MEMORIZATION – Memorization of the basic statements of faith for Lutherans will be required and can be found in Luther's Small Catechism.  Memory progress sheets are to be completed at home under the supervision of parents, then handed in upon their completion.  Memory work is assigned to reinforce the meaning of the faith we confess and to promote deeper appreciation and understanding of our Christian heritage.  
   
   Students are expected to complete the following sections and are suggested to complete them in the following years:  The Lord's Prayer and meanings (6th grade), Sacrament of Holy Communion and meanings (6th grade), the Ten Commandments (7th grade), Sacrament of Holy Baptism and meanings (8th grade), and Apostles' Creed and meanings (8th grade).
   
   Details on Memorization
   Memory Progress Sheets
   • 6th Grade Memory Progress Sheet
   • 7th Grade Memory Progress Sheet
   • 8th Grade Memory Progress Sheet
     
     
6. CONFIRMATION CAMP – takes place in June for students entering 8th grade.
   
   
7. CAMP RETREAT: - (1 retreat required) These are great weekends to gather with youth from other churches.   Awesome friends…fun staff…cool stuff to do in the great outdoors.  Parents are asked to pay $24 toward the costs of the attending Crossways Camps for the confirmation retreat. This year's retreat is at Imago Dei Village, November 2-4.

8th Grade Confirmands

Students expecting to be confirmed are responsible for additional items during their last year:

• Confirmation Rehearsal:  Wednesday May 14th from 6-7pm
• Personal Creed:  As students prepare to affirm their faith on confirmation day, the church asks them "what do you personally believe?"  Students will write a 2-4 page paper detailing what they believe.
• Interview with the Pastor:  Students will meet with their parents and the Pastor to speak individually about preparing for confirmation day and to review their Personal Creed.
• Small $ Fee:  Normally $10, this fee goes to help offset the cost of reception, materials, gown rental, etc.

Student Evaluations

Student evaluations will be prepared by the Guides roughly three times per year.  Evaluations will cover classroom attitude, work performance, as well as progress on sermon notes, FLOW Activities and memory work.  Parents are encouraged to discuss the evaluations with the student and Guide when appropriate.  Periodic quizzes of material may also be given at any time
 
Discipline

As always, we hope this is not a problem.  But there are times when one or two individuals can ruin a great opportunity for learning and fellowship.  If a problem exists, the confirmation guide will first contact the parents.  If this is not successful, the pastor will become involved.  As a last resort, we will need to remove the student from the class and re-evaluate their status.  We hope this will not happen.

Parent's Responsibility

When your child was baptized, you made a promise to God and the congregation to provide for your child's spiritual education.  Simply seeing that your child attends classes does not fulfill this promise.  We ask that you take seriously your baptismal promise regarding the education of your child.

Listed below are a few ways in which you can help your child to develop his/her spiritual life:

• Show interest in the Confirmation program.  Your observations, suggestions and especially your help are greatly appreciated.
• Be a good example.  Children learn many of their attitudes and behaviors from their home life.  If you show by your example the importance of a spiritual life, your child will follow.
• Take an adult education class yourself.  You will learn more about your faith and show your child the importance of learning about spiritual matters.  You will also help your child understand that Confirmation is not the end of their spiritual education but the basic beginning.

We will be expecting parents to help in the following ways:

• Assist in memory work.  Help your child memorize all that is required.  Your assistance in this will help a great deal.
• When asked, serve as a substitute guide when your student's guide has a planned absence.
• Help with Soup Suppers as scheduled.
• Help your child accomplish his/her assignments.  Show interest in what is being learned and discuss it.

We hope these guidelines will help you and your child understand and grow in faith!