Back in 2014, St. Luke shifted to a Confirmation process that is discipleship focused, relationally driven, and helps us follow Jesus in the context of family relationships. We’re ready to begin another Confirmation journey in February 2018 with the same focus and drive.
The Confirmation Process Big Picture
Our goal is for each participant family (students and parents) in the Confirmation process to:
- Understand and engage in St. Luke’s discipleship process
- Increase knowledge of and ability to use Bible and Catechism
- Receive and begin to use specific discipleship tools
- Enter into intentional discipling relationships
- Practice spiritual disciplines (prayer, confession and forgiveness, daily Word, etc.)
- Connect Biblical content and spiritual disciplines to natural life rhythms and events
We know that faith formation happens best when family and church partners together. We also know that discipleship happens in trusted relationships. For these reasons, we both invite and expect families to participate together. While the start of our journey in February will have parents and students meeting in separate groups, the majority of our confirmation gatherings will include both students (Confirmands) and parents in the same room.
Because this kind of partnership takes commitment, we want to provide enough flexibility for families to journey through the process during the Confirmation year that works best for them. We recognize that, from one year to another, family schedules may change. In order to help your family enter the Confirmation journey during the year that works best for you, our Confirmation process is open to students going into 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, as well as high school students who have yet to be confirmed.
This may be the year for Confirmation. Perhaps it will be the following year. If you have multiple children, you may want to consider choosing a Confirmation year that will allow as many as possible to go through the process together. If your student has a friend they would like to journey though Confirmation with, consider inviting another family to join the process with you.
We want the Confirmation year to shape lasting faith relationships and discipleship growth for the future.
The Year in Detail
The 2018-2019 Confirmation year will run from February 2018 until Spring 2019, with the intention of celebrating Confirmation Sunday in Spring 2019. More details on the date of Confirmation Sunday will come at a later time.
Confirmation classes begin on Sunday, February 4, 2018 from 9:45-10:45am. Classes throughout the school year will be held on Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:45am, between services, at St. Luke.
For the first 8 weeks of this Confirmation year, students will meet in their normal Youth discipleship class in the West Wing. Parents of Confirmation students will begin the year together in our Building a Culture of Family Discipleship class in Rooms 1&2 (lower level).
Families with children not participating in the confirmation process are encouraged to have them participate in our Sheepfold (children) or Youth Sunday school. In addition, the nursery is available for infants and toddlers up to three years old.
In addition to Sunday mornings, we will offer a series of Confirmation events, some for families and others only for students. More information about Confirmation events is forthcoming.
Confirmation Mentors
Families provide some of the most important discipling relationships for every believer. But studies have shown the added benefits of having a non-family, non-church-worker supporting the faith walk of our youth. In order to provide this additional support and encouragement for students in the Confirmation process, each student will invite a spiritual mentor to journey through the process with them.
Mentors are encouraged to regularly attend gatherings in addition to praying for their mentee, checking in with them throughout the process, etc. A mentor should be post-high school, worship regularly at St. Luke, and be committed to the student’s faith journey.
Is This the Year?
Perhaps you are praying about whether this is the right year for Confirmation? If so, use the following questions as part of your family conversation.
Family Questions
- How would you describe your family’s current faith journey?
- Why is it important that your family participate in the St. Luke Confirmation process?
- Why do you think that 2018-19 is the year for your family to journey through the St. Luke Confirmation process?
Student Questions
- Why do you want to follow Jesus more purposefully in your daily life?
- What does confirmation (confirming your faith) mean to you?
We are excited about how this process will shape and form everyone involved. If you have questions about the process, need more information, or want to discuss which year is the right year for your family to journey through the process together, don’t hesitate to contact Pastor Matt Hein, Minister of Discipleship at St. Luke at 734-971-0550×48.
