Confirmation 2008 F.A.Q. January 29, 2008
Posted by jimmorrow in calendar, confirmation, news.Tags: confirmation, faq
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In order to help your family discuss whether or not your student will take part in confirmation this year, I have put together this F.A.Q (frequently asked questions) list. If you have further questions, please contact me!
What is confirmation?
Confirmation is a season of exploration for students in the 6th-12th grades. During this time, students will learn more about what it means to be a Christian, a United Methodist, and what it means to be a member of the Church. Through this process our confirmands will have the opportunity to make a confession of faith and be baptized if they haven’t been already and join the church as full members. This is a very special time in the life of our confirmands and in the life of our church. Confirmation will begin this year in mid-February with an orientation meeting and will really kick off with the Confirmation Retreat at Epworth by the Sea on February 29- March 2. For 10 wks, our confirmands will spend time with Pastor Randy, Jim, and their personal confirmation mentor exploring faith in Jesus Christ! We will celebrate our confirmands in worship on May 11th. Those students who have chosen to will be baptized and/or join the church on that date.
When is confirmation?
Confirmation begins Feb. 17th and goes through May 11th (though confirming our faith is a lifelong process that all of us continue to do!)
When is the retreat?
The retreat is Feb 29-March 2. The set up is just like November Celebration was with different content and people. It will be an overnight and we’ll get more details out on that a little bit later. My hope is that this won’t cost you anything.
When does the confirmation “class” meet?
Your confirmand will meet regularly with his/her mentor. This will be the driving force behind confirmation. We will have 4 big meetings with Rev. Mosely and myself. Those dates are tentatively scheduled on Wednesdays after Fellowship Supper at about 6:15pm (tentative). The tentative dates are: March 12, April 2, April 16, May 7. These classes will be last until 8:00 pm.
What will my confirmand and their mentor do?
I have attached the list. Just click on it! The mentor is to be a prayerful supporter of your student as they decide what to do with the information that they learn during the course of confirmation.
If my child isn’t ready to make a public confession of faith, will he/she be forced to?
No. The idea is to prayerfully discover what it means to be Christian, what it means to be a part of the church, and what it means to be United Methodist. Then, each student will respond as moved by God. For some, this will mean baptism or public confession of faith. For others, this will mean waiting until they feel comfortable.
What are all of those dates again?
Intro Meeting: Feb 17th, 12:00-12:35
Retreat: Feb 29-March 2
Big class dates: March 12, April 2, April 16, May 7
Sessions with mentor: As personally scheduled between your family and your mentor.
Confirmation Sunday: Sunday, May 11th.
On the Book Shelf: Facing Your Giants, Teen Edition January 18, 2008
Posted by jimmorrow in on the youth pastor's bookshelf.Tags: facing your giants
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Facing Your Giants, Teen Edition
by Max Lucado, adapted by Monica Hall
What modern-day giants are you facing? David faced Goliath. He was an unlikely hero, but he was after God’s heart, and he came out victorious.
These days you may be facing other kinds of “giants.” The first day of school. Making the team. Romance (or the lack of it). Family that doesn’t understand you. Grief. Hard decisions. There are many things that make you feel insignificant in the world.
This book will guide you through King David’s struggle with “giants” like barbaric behavior, raging Saul’s and other catastrophes, strongholds of sin, and more. What every you face, you don’t have to face it alone. God is a victorious companion.
This book is a pretty easy read and is full of pictures and other visual aids. It is easy to get into the stories and anecdotes–you’ll finish a chapter before you know it. 198 pages.
On the Youth Pastor’s Book Shelf: An Introduction January 18, 2008
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In this regular feature, On the Youth Pastor’s Book Shelf, I will be highlighting some books that I am either reading or preparing to read. Here you will find a wide variety of books from teen reading, teen devotion and spirituality, resources for ministry, resources for parents, and more.
I hope you enjoy this regular feature. Feel free to comment on these introductions and reviews. Similarly, if I’ve written about it, the chances are high that I still have a copy of the book that you can look at!
Inspiration: A Little Girl Sings “Indescribable” January 17, 2008
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Your heart will melt as you listen to this 4 year old girl sing Chris Tomlin’s song.
November Celebration: I left him out :) January 17, 2008
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As not to show partiality (and make his mom mad 
), here is B-dog who was on November Celebration, too. I didn’t have any pictures of him ’cause he was always trying to steal the band’s guitars! :)
January Birthdays! January 17, 2008
Posted by jimmorrow in calendar, praises.Tags: birthdays, january
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Some of these have already past, but wish them a happy birthday anyway!
1/4 James D.
1/11 Jon Paul L.
1/19 Amanda S.
If I left you off, I apologize! Send me your birthday and we’ll put it in!!!
(hint: when the text is underlined, you should click the link!)
NO YOUTH: Jan 20, 08 January 17, 2008
Posted by jimmorrow in calendar.Tags: baby shower, no youth, romans
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Just a reminder: we don’t have youth this Sunday. This means no praise band, either.
You may want to join us for Ms. Amanda’s baby shower from 2-4 in the parlor. Don’t feel as if you have bring anything, you’re presence would show us God’s love.
Join us again on the 27th as we finish diving in to Romans 10:9-15!
Confirmation Mentors January 17, 2008
Posted by jimmorrow in confirmation.Tags: confirmation, mentor
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Confirmation is an important time in the life of our students as they growin their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A mentor’s role is to pray for and support their student as well as helping them work through various activities. They may share a meal with them, get to know them, and help them with certain assignments. Mentors are welcome to attend Confirmation classes and special church events with your student, and attend any field trips or the Confirmation retreat. Being a mentor is a big responsibility, and you have the opportunity to influence a young person’s decision to follow Christ. Many people will tell you that the highlight of their middle school years in the church was the time they spent with their confirmation mentor. Please consider this ministry in 2008, and if you are interested in being a Confirmation mentor, please contact Jim Morrow at 882-6285 or by email for a Safe Sanctuaries application and interview.
Confirmation 2008! January 17, 2008
Posted by jimmorrow in calendar, confirmation.Tags: confirmation
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Confirmation is a season of exploration for students in the 6th-12th grades. During this time, students will learn more about what it means to be a Christian, a United Methodist, and what it means to be a member of the Church. Through this process our confirmands will have the opportunity to be baptized if they haven’t been already and join the church as full members. This is a very special time in the life of our confirmands and in the life of our church.
Confirmation will begin this year in mid-February with an orientation meeting and will really kick off with the Confirmation Retreat at Epworth by the Sea on February 29- March 2. For 10 wks, our confirmands will spend time with Pastor Randy, Jim, and their personal confirmation mentor exploring faith in Jesus Christ! We will celebrate our confirmands in worship on May 11th. Those students who have chosen to will be baptized and/or join the church on that date.
If you or your student would like to take part in St. Marys United Methodist Confirmation this year, please contact Jim at 882-6285 or by email by January 27th!
More details on specific scheduling will be available when all eligible families have been contacted. We want to make sure that we schedule around extra-curricular activities as much as possible!
November Celebration Pics! January 3, 2008
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At the end of November, we took 20 people (14 students and 6 adults) on our fall retreat, November Celebration at Epworth. Here are some pictures courtesy of our photographer McKenna:
