Faith Web WeaversConfirmation 2018-2019

Faith Formation at Bethany Lutheran Church

◊ What is Faith Formation? Faith Formation is an intentional life-long

process of equipping, empowering and unleashing people for an ever deepening relationship with Jesus Christ through worship, learning, service, prayer, community and life experience in order to live out one's Baptismal calling.

◊ What is Growing Together in God’s Promise? Growing Together in God’s Promise is the

mission of Bethany’s Faith Formation Ministries. Our goal is to uphold our baptismal promises as we continue to learn and grow in our faith and relationships with Christ and one another.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,The Maker of heaven and

What is Confirmation/Affirmation of Baptism?

CONFIRMATION IS…THE FULFILLMENT OF PROMISES: It is a time for parents to fulfill the promises made at baptism for their child, in partnership with the whole faith community. They promised to: “live with them among God’s faithful people, bring them to the word of God and the holy supper, teach them the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, place in their hands the holy scriptures, and nurture them in faith and prayer, so that your children may learn to trust God, proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace.” Service of Holy Baptism, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, (Augsburg Fortress, © 2006), page 228

FAITH FORMATION: It is a time to learn about to whom we belong, who Jesus is, and how faith in God impacts us. Confirmation helps prepare and support us for life’s journey as adult Christians in Christian community.RELATIONSHIPS: It is a time to experience God’s love by building caring connections with parents, mentors, and peers. It is a commitment of the whole family to grow together, support one another and encourage one another to trust in a God who loves us, cares for us and forgives us.DISCIPLESHIP: It is a time in the adolescent faith journey for intensive nurturing, a time of preparation leading to public profession of Christian faith and for youth to “confirm” their intention to live as a Child of God in the covenant of Baptism:“Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in Holy 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

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,The Maker of heaven and

***SPECIAL NOTE: Confirmation is not a sacrament in the Lutheran church, and is therefore not ‘required’. It is an optional series of worship, lessons, service, relationships, and fellowship that help enrich and strengthen our student’s faith lives. We are transitioning the program to a more flexible format, based on prayerful consideration with our families. We hope that this will equip families to

uphold expectations and requirements honoring the commitment to the best of their abilities.

through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?” Affirmation of Baptism, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, (Augsburg Fortress, © 2006), page 236.

A STEP ON THE LIFE-LONG JOURNEY OF FAITH: It is NOT a journey toward a “graduation,” but another step on the life-long journey of faith that extends from birth to death, which is why we call this faith formation. We are never done learning or deepening our faith. Discipleship, following Jesus, is a daily life journey.

What is Confirmation at Bethany? Faith Web Weavers, the Confirmation program at Bethany, is a family

program. Parents are expected to actively participate to affirm and create the fullest experience for their child. Families are expected to attend worship together regularly, attend large group with their youth and be involved in their child’s learning and growing faith life.

Faith Web Weavers is for students 6th grade and older. You may start the program at any time after entering 6th grade, and complete it on your own schedule. *See scope and sequence below.

All are welcome to attend Faith Web Weavers at Bethany! If you are not a part of the Confirmation program, you are still invited to attend any class meetings during any of the times offered.

Confirmation is offered on Sunday mornings during the education time. We begin all together (with parents) for large group learning time. We will then break into small group time (generally divided by grade) to share highs/lows and to dive deeper into the lesson. There will be a small group opportunity for parents as well. Worship is a central component of Confirmation ministry.

Bethany uses a combination of curriculums. Curriculum is chosen based on the topic and lesson in order to provide interactive and engaging lessons for students. Curriculum used includes: original Bethany curriculum, outside resources, Luther’s Small Catechism, Congregation members passions and skills, Augsburg Fortress’s Colaborate curriculum, Faith Ink and, of course, the Bible.

Small groups are designed to build relationships while learning, growing, and discussing faith and the topics that surround it. We are committed to our youth having 5-7 caring adults who know them well at Bethany and small group leaders will be integral. We offer parent small groups during our confirmation time as research from the past 30 years reveals that mom and dad are the most important faith formers for their children. We want to connect you to one another, to the youth and to Bethany.

Bethany’s Faith Web Weavers Confirmation program has a three year scope and sequence: Year 1: Faith in Daily Life, Year 2: Catechism, Year 3: Bible. This year (2018-19) is our Catechism year. We will be engaging each section of Luther’s Small Catechism throughout the year. Each week a home devotion for families to engage the material even more meaningfully during the week is sent home.

Learning materials provided: NRSV Lutheran Study Bible, Luther’s Small Catechism, and any materials needed for small group courses.

Lenten MentoringAll students participating in the Faith Web Weavers confirmation ministry are expected to meet with a mentor at least six times in the season of Lent (March 6- April 21, 2018) for a time of getting to know another caring adult, Bible engagement, either through devotions or activities, and faith conversations. Mentors/Mentees may meet on Sundays during regular confirmation times, or may choose to meet at another time and location. All Mentors and Mentees will be given guidelines and Lenten devotions. More information will be sent closer to the date.

Worship Experience SheetsWorship Experience Sheets are guides for connecting the experience of Sunday worship (Bible reading, sermon, music, prayers, sacraments) to our daily lives. We recommend that parents fill these out as well. We expect that families attend worship each week to build connections and relationships. You will be given a Worship Experience Sheet journal on September 16th, 2018.

Service OpportunitiesWe will offer several service opportunities throughout the year in which you and your child can engage. Living out our faith is not only important for ourselves, but is crucial for our neighbor. Jesus calls us to serve and love our neighbor as we do ourselves.

Cross Generational Sundays The first Sunday of each month will be Cross Generational Sunday at Bethany. All ages will gather in the Great Hall for a time of learning, activity, prayer and fellowship. Look for more information to come.

Acolyte and Worship Leadership Students are invited and strongly encouraged to acolyte throughout the year as well as sign up to altar guild, read the lessons, serve communion, or usher. You can sign up for worship leadership on the Bethany website: http://www.blc-denver2.org/

Affirmation of Baptism

While we offer a three year scope and sequence, we know that some youth are ready to affirm their faith at different points in their faith journey. If you and your child believe that they are ready to take on the baptism journey and faith promises for themselves, please contact Pr. Brigette. We will meet, have them take a spiritual gift inventory, choose a mentor that ideally they will meet with for a year before they affirm their baptism, and with that mentor work on a project that highlights how they will live their faith going forward into adolescence and adulthood.

My Faith Retreat

All youth being confirmed in Fall 2018 of the program year are encouraged to attend the My Faith Retreat on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Students will meet with one of the Pastors, Faith Formation staff, Confirmation teachers, or Church Leadership members to discuss their Confirmation journey and their personal faith. Students will also engage in various opportunities to continue their involvement with Bethany after they continue on to the youth program

Confirmation Weekend

The Rite of Confirmation or Affirmation of Baptism is the second Sunday in October the fall of the year the program is completed. Confirmation weekend in 2018 is October 13/14. The weekend begins on Saturday late afternoon with a final rehearsal and Dinner of Honor. The Rite of Confirmation is Sunday at the 10:15 a.m. service.

Retreats and Camp

Confirmation Retreat weekend will be October 5-7 at Sky Ranch. Look for more details to come but this is a wonderful weekend of faith, fellowship and fun! Each summer we encourage the youth to attend one of our wonderful camps. As a confirmation group, we will attend Sky Ranch confirmation week July 21-26, 2019. The Rocky Mountain Synod middle school and high school youth gathering will be in Estes Park January 12-14, 2019. This is also a wonderful weekend!

Confirmation Orientation

Confirmation orientation will be held on the first day of confirmation, September 16, during the education time. We will have the worship booklets, small catechisms, Bibles and all other materials at that time. The blessing of entering confirmation for incoming students will happen at the 10:30 a.m. worship service that same morning.

We are excited and blessed to be on this journey with your family!

In Christ,

Pastor Brigette Weier, Pastor of Faith Formation

Jeff Kelty, Faith Formation Director of Youth