Confirmation 2013

2013 CONFIRMATION INFORMATION

2013 Parent Confirmation Letter (Click Here)
2013 Confimation Permission Slip (Click Here)
2013 Confirmation Service Project Completion Form (Click Here)

What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is a small group based program for students in grades 8 and above that wish to be confirmed in the United Methodist Church.  The program is designed to study the beliefs of the United Methodist Church as well as dive deep into what it means to be a Christian.  The program begins with a kickoff retreat on January 11 and ends with Confirmation ceremonies on April 27 and 28.  Upon completion, it is an incredible opportunity for these students to stand before the congregation and proclaim their faith and their commitment to Floris.  Below you will find the requirements for confirmation:

Requirements of Confirmation:

 
Confirmation Retreats (2):
We hold a kick off retreat on January 11&12 and a second retreat from April 5-7.  Each student is expected to attend both retreats in their entirety. Total cost for both retreats is $200. Scholarships are available fo those who have need. 

Weekly Small Group Meetings (8):
Students are expected to be on time and prepared to participate in the group’s discussion.  Students may miss only one of the eight small group sessions without make-up.  Beyond the one absence, students must make-up the missed meeting at another small group or with a small group leader.  In order to respect the time of group leaders, no student may make-up more than one meeting with a small group leader.  If you see problems with this in your student’s schedule, please contact the leadership ASAP.

Meetings with Mentors (10):
In order to personalize the experience, we expect students to meet with their mentor ten times during the 15-week program by April 21.  In choosing a mentor, seek someone who is a dynamic Christian and member of Floris United Methodist Church.  We require that mentors to be members of the church because they will share vows of commitment to watch over the student in the life of the church.  If you cannot find or think of a mentor for your student, the student ministry will provide one, upon your request.

Group Service Project:
The confirmands and their mentors will complete a group service project during confirmation.  This year’s group service project is the Chocolate Festival. The Chocolate Festival at Floris is on February 9 and raises funds for many different non-profit organizations. The details on this project will be released prior to the first confirmation small group meeting.

Confirmation / Mentor Service Project:
Each student and mentor will be required to complete his or her personal service project by April 20.  Options will be made available at the beginning of the year – but students and mentors can begin to think of some non-profit service opportunities they can participate in as a team.  The project must take at least 3 hours of consecutive service time.

Interviews:
Each confirmand will be required to complete an interview with a Floris UMC staff member between April 8-24. The schedule will be available online in early March.

Confirmation Rehearsal:
On April 27, students, mentors and parents will be required to attend a confirmation service rehearsal.  This practice is to ensure that students can enjoy the meaning of the day, rather than the logistics.  Rehearsal times will be released in March.  Be sure to leave the afternoon of April 27 “open” on your calendars.

Confirmation Ceremonies:
Confirmation will take place at all four worship services on Sunday April 28 and at a 5PM service on Saturday April 27 for students who decide to be confirmed at the end of the confirmation program.  In order to accommodate all of the students and keep service times to a reasonable length, we are going to ask that parents be flexible in their desired service hour of confirmation. 

All students must be baptized before being confirmed.  This can occur the day of confirmation during the confirmation service.  If you are interested in this, please let Donita Dickerson ddickerson@florisumc.org know as soon as possible so that we may be able to iron out the details.

We recognize that the calendar for confirmation is VERY rigorous.  However, these are requirements for confirmation and if your child is not able to meet these requirements he/she may not be able to be confirmed.  This program is designed to be intensive.  Our hope is that students would continue their other church commitments (Sunday Night Program, Sunday School Buddies, etc.) during this period.  This program is not a substitute for Sunday worship.  When deciding (as a family) whether or not your child will complete this program, please review the calendar above.