WHAT IS CONFIRMATION?
Confirmation is a wonderful journey of learning and growth. It is a process of helping young people discover who God is, who they are, and how God is calling them to be a valuable participant in what God is doing in the world. The goal of this journey is to equip young adults to be able to stand before the congregation make bold promises with informed and humble assurance in the faithfulness of God to empower the rest of their journey in life.
Scroll down to explore the tracks for Confirmation at Easter!
2024-2025 REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
6th through 8th GRADE: CHOOSE YOUR TRACK
6th - 8th Grade families have two tracks from which to choose:
WEDNESDAY TRACK
Small Groups gather weekly on Wednesday Evenings throughout the school year to receive instruction from a pastor, to interact as small groups, and to have fun within the larger group of peers. The year begins with a weekend retreat at Camp Wapo in late September.
Camp Wapo Weekend Retreat in September
WEEKLY class
CAMP TRACK
Students attend a week at Camp Wapo in August where they are led by Wapo counselors but are in cabins with their Confirmation groups The small groups are pulled out of the regular Camping Program, and receive Confirmation instruction from a pastor. The majority of the instruction is received during this intensive week. Small groups also meet with a Confirmation mentor once a month on Sunday afternoons.
Camp Wapo Week (August 11-16, 2024)
MONTHLY class
9th GRADE CONFIRMATION
Two Sunday evening meetings per month
Fall curriculum includes visits to other Christian and non-Christian faith communities to explore what it means to be a Christian in a diverse world
Spring curriculum includes a unit on Death, Dying, & Grief and a Relationship retreat at Camp Wapo (typically occurs the weekend after Easter) to learn about health, boundaries, relationships, and body image
Students are encouraged to participate in summer Mission Trips and/or serve as Vacation Bible School leaders
Invited to join YOWIES (Youth on Wednesdays, Easter Lutheran Church youth group)
10th GRADE CONFIRMATION
Fall curriculum includes a weekend retreat to Mt. Olivet Retreat Center to craft individual faith statements
10th Grade students conclude Confirmation with the Affirmation of Baptism Services, a special worship service with laying on of hands that happens the last weekend of October. Family, friends, mentors, godparents, and more are all welcome!
- Current 9th Grade Students/Incoming 10th Grade Students: RSVP for either the 10/26 Lake or 10/27 Hill service here
Students are encouraged to participate in summer Mission Trips and/or serve as Vacation Bible School leaders
Invited to join YOWIES (Youth on Wednesdays, Easter Lutheran Church youth group)
All Confirmation students complete a variety of
service and learning tasks including:
Service Hours are awarded for a variety of service experiences in and out of church
Sermon Notes taken during worship to strengthen learning
Summer Mission Trips offer students the opportunity to learn and serve outside our community
Vacation Bible School volunteering allows students to take on a leadership role
for our younger community members
WHAT ARE SERVICE HOURS?
During the Confirmation program, from 6th-10th grade, we ask students to earn a total of 1000 points through service hours. This is a buffet of Christian service opportunities that encourage students to live into being a servant as Jesus modeled. Our intention is for students to discover their unique gifts and see the needs of their neighbors!
• Each hour is worth 25 points; parents/guardians help students keep track of their points (a simple note on your phone works well!)
• Youth Volunteers for Vacation Bible School earn 300 points per session; Mission Trips Participants earn 500 points per trip!
• Confirmation track-specific events like Feed My Starving Children (all tracks), blanket making (Camp Track), and Trunk and Treat (Wednesday Track) all count for points.
• Helping with Baptism Class childcare (RSVP to Rachelle, rgill@easter.org) or serving in worship individually or with your family (ushering, greeting, serving communion) all count for points.
By regularly participating in service hour opportunities, students should earn plenty of points by the end of Confirmation in 10th grade...and learn many lessons about the importance of service in a church community!
MENTOR A SMALL GROUP
The heart of Confirmation at Easter Lutheran is the Mentor-led small groups. All students are placed in a small group that is led by a trained and vetted adult mentor. This group remains the same throughout the entire journey through Confirmation from 6th to 10th Grade. These relationships—mentor to student and student to student—are the glue that makes the learning process stick.
Connect with Deacon Hans (hans@easter.org) if you are interested in mentoring a Confirmation Small Group.
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONFIRMATION PROGRAM?
Contact Our Confirmation Team:
Easter Youth Minister: Deacon Hans Vigesaa (hans@easter.org)
Faith Formation Pastor: Pastor Kevin Bergeson (pastorkevin@easter.org)
