WHLC Confirmation Information
Wednesday Night Events
5th & 6th Grade Ministry
7th & 8th Grade Ministry
9th Grade Ministry
Parents As Partners
Fees
Check out confirmation resources available on the Confirmation Resources page.
WHLC Confirmation Information
What Confirmation Is
- Preparing young people to affirm their baptism
- In baptism, promises were made by God, the church, parents, and sponsors.
- In the Affirmation of Baptism, promises are made by young people
Promises Made in Affirmation of Baptism
- To live among God’s faithful people
- To hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper
- To proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed
- To serve all people, following the example of Jesus
- To strive for justice and peace in all the earth
(Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Page 236)
What Confirmation Is Not
- Graduation from church
- A list of requirements that you must fulfill in order for God to love you
- Your only chance to get offering envelopes
- An excuse to wear stylish white robes and light candles in front of the congregation
Church's Role in Confirmation
- Provide pastors to offer instruction to students
- Provide caring adults who will help mentor students in faith
- Communicate with students and parents about expectations
- Be supportive of parents’ role in Confirmation
- Pray, study the Bible, and grow in faith outside of Confirmation time
Student's Role in Confirmation
- Come to Confirmation events ready to participate
- Regularly attend Confirmation events
- Pray, study the Bible, and grow in faith outside of Confirmation time
Parent's Role in Confirmation
- Bring students to Confirmation events
- Be supportive of church’s role in Confirmation
- Have conversations about faith outside of church
Wednesday Night Events
Class Time (5:00-6:00 pm)
- 5th & 6th grade classes meet with one of the pastors. 7th & 8th grade students gather in large groups with adult leaders and high school mentors for a large group class time. We begin with a time of singing songs, followed by prayer, interactive teaching, skits, role playing and Bible study. This time is led by Pastor Coughennower and Erik Ullestad.
- Each 7th & 8th grade student is placed in a small group, which is led by an adult. Small group discussion time is part of the large group session. In addition to discussing the topic for the evening, small groups also share “highs and lows” of the week, plan fellowship events and service projects, and even lead aspects of large group time.
Community Dinner (6:00)
- A meal is provided to the entire congregation as part of the “Akaloo” midweek experience. Confirmation students are strongly encouraged to attend and have the rest of their family join them!
- Confirmation participants, both young and old, are encouraged to stay around the church after dinner to play carpetball, shoot hoops, continue learning in the computer lab, do homework, sing in the choir and “hang out” with friends. Adults are encouraged to participate in Akaloo Small Groups at 5:00 pm and/or 6:30 pm.
5th & 6th Grade Ministry
Formal preparation for the Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation) at Windsor Heights Lutheran Church is a five-year program. Throughout these formative years, students are engaged in a varied and exciting format consisting of interactive learning in a large group setting, small group discussion, service projects and social activities.
Students in 5th & 6th grade will be combined this year and will attend 12 Wednesday night learning events (5:00-6:00 pm). They will also participate in the Mentor Ministry. This year we will be having an overview of the Bible using graphics that will help cement the major themes of God’s Story in scripture. The schedule is as follows:
5th and 6th Grade Youth – The Year of the Bible
August 26 – ORIENTATION for students and families
September 30 – Mentor Ministry Meeting for students, parents and families
November 4 – Old Testament
November 11 – Old Testament
November 18 – Old Testament
November 25 – HOME HUDDLE
December 2 – Old Testament
December 9 – Old Testament
December 16 – Old Testament
December 23 – HOME HUDDLE
December 30 – No Confirmation
5th & 6th Grade Mentor Ministry
A mentor supports parents and is an advocate for youth in the congregation. In the Mentor Ministry program, students work through a curriculum on faith/life issues with their mentor four times throughout the year.
Through these conversations the hope is that you will cover the following topics:
- Why Be Confirmed?
- Following Jesus
- My Beliefs
- Being Lutheran
A Mentor Ministry Kick-Off will be held Wednesday, September 30, 2009 from 5:00-6:00 pm for mentors, parents and students. This will serve as the kick-off to the program. All mentors will be solidified by mid-September. A special letter is sent to 5th & 6th grade parents regarding the Mentor Selection process.
This ministry serves as an important and exciting aspect in the faith-enriching development of your child. Please contact Erik Ullestad if you have any questions.
7th & 8th Grade Ministry
7th & 8th Grade Ministry
In the 7th & 8th grade years, students continue to be engaged in a varied and exciting format consisting of interactive learning in a large group setting, home huddles, small group discussion, service projects, social activities and retreats.
The Home Huddles are intentional conversations in the home that take place in lieu of Wednesday night class time. Check your e-mail inbox or the Confirmation Resources page for more information the week of each Home Huddle.
Students in 7th & 8th grade attend 24 Wednesday night learning events (5:00-6:00 pm), participate in seven Home Huddles and attend one retreat each year. The schedule is as follows:
2009
August 26 – Orientation for students/parents
September 2 – Church History
September 9 – Church History
September 16 – Church History
September 23 – Church History
September 30 – HOME HUDDLE
October 7 – Catechism
October 14 – Catechism
October 21 - Catechism
October 28 – HOME HUDDLE
November 4 – Catechism
November 6 & 7 – 8th Grade Retreat @ Wesley Woods (6:00 pm – 2:00 pm)
November 11 – Catechism
November 18 – Catechism
November 25 – HOME HUDDLE
December 2 – Catechism
December 9 – Catechism
December 16 – Catechism
December 23 – HOME HUDDLE
December 30 – No Confirmation
9th Grade Ministry
The 9th Grade Year is undergoing a shift in its timeline. The two major adjustments include meeting every Wednesday evening from August 27-October 22, and moving the Affirmation of Baptism Worship Service from May to October (Reformation Sunday). We hope the following will be helpful information as to why this shift is being made:
Historical Context
This congregation has a long history of a 5-year Confirmation Ministry. In the past 5+ years, 5th - 8th grade students have met on Wednesday nights throughout the school year (excluding Lent). From 2002 - 2007 the 9th graders met on the 1st & 3rd Sunday evening of each month. This prevented 9th graders from regularly participating in High School Youth Group, so in the Fall of 2007 the 9th graders met every other Wednesday night after supper.
Rationale for Change
- It has been difficult to establish consistency and accountability within the 9th grade class by meeting sporadically throughout the year.
- Students would have the same number of meetings during the 9th grade year, only in a more condensed amount of time.
- The Affirmation of Baptism will not be indirectly linked with graduation season in May.
- It will be easier to retain 9th graders in the weeks following the Affirmation of Baptism because there are regular, reoccurring events taking place during the school year.
Schedule for Fall 2009 (Wednesday Meetings from 6:30-7:30 pm)
August 26 Orientation for students and parents
September 2 Social Justice - Homelessness
September 9 Social Justice - Hunger
September 16 Social Justice - Refugees
September 23 Social Justice – Racial Relationships
September 26 Social Justice Tour
September 30 Death & Dying
October 7 Death & Dying
October 14 Affirming Your Faith
October 21 Affirming Your Faith
October 24 Confirmation Retreat & Rehearsal for students/parents
October 25 Affirmation of Baptism Worship Service; 2:00 pm
9th Grade Retreats
The 9th grade class will be attending the following retreats throughout the year. These retreats are a required part of the Confirmation curriculum, and we encourage you to mark these dates on your calendar and consider them a priority.
Social Justice Day
Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
This retreat provides an opportunity to see what kinds of ministries and social service agencies are in the Des Moines metro area and to visit some of the places that WHLC supports throughout the year. This will be a great conclusion to the Social Justice series on Wednesday night in the fall.
What Now?
Saturday, October 24, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
This retreat for students and parents takes place the day before the Rite of Confirmation. Families explore the notion of what their response is in our local congregation and in the larger church. The rehearsal for the Affirmation of Baptism is part of the morning retreat.
Parents As Partners
Parents are a vital part of this ministry – serving as Small Group Guides, prayer partners, encouragers and more. However, the most important role parents can possibly play is to provide a faithful example to their children. The pastors and staff of Windsor Heights Lutheran Church believe their role is to provide the tools and opportunities for parents to grow their own Christian faith and be a strong model of faith for their children.
Below are a couple of ways we expect you to serve as a partner in your student’s confirmation experience.
Faith in the Home
- Home Huddles - Every month we are asking students to continue their learning through an assignment found on the Confirmation Resources page. Part of this assignment will be to have a conversation with parents what they have learned. It is important that you provide time and space for these conversations each month.
- Servant Projects – Families are asked to create and take part in two servant projects throughout the year. Students will be asked to complete a report form describing the experience.
Worship
It is imperative for the continued discipleship of our youth that you worship together as a family. Worship is the center of our Christian life. Your example will be the most important thing you can do as you grow together in your faith as a family.
Provide Transportation and Serve as Adult Advisors for Retreats
Students in 7th-9th grades will be participating in several retreats. We will be seeking several parents to serve as drivers and/or adult advisors for these retreats.
Supper on Wednesday Nights
A meal is provided to the entire congregation as part of the “Akaloo” midweek experience from 6:00-6:30 pm. Parents are expected to help set up and serve a meal 2-3 times during the course of the year. Families are invited to share in the community meal every week.
Fees
Confirmation fees help subsidize costs for curriculum, retreats, suppers and other program needs. All Grades = $40 each year. ($80 maximum per household)