Faith Growth for Students

Confirmation is: an intentional process of Scripture study, exploration of our Lutheran confessions (beliefs), learning what it means to be an ELCA Lutheran, growing in personal faith habits, and growing in faith with a caring small group.  Confirmation Registration for '21 - '22

We are hoping and praying that everyone can attend in-person but will be providing a remote option. For those in need of a remote learning option please submit the form at the bottom of this page.

Masks Required

• Until both transmission and positivity rates return to safer levels, we are again requiring masks to be worn by everyone while inside the church building.

Please Register for the Retreat

Please register on/before Wednesday, Oct. 13 so we can plan meals and transportation:

• Confirmation Students (Grades 7 - 9)
• Student Leaders (Grades 10 - 12)
• Confirmation Guides

Schedule/Time Change Effective Oct. 27

Beginning Wed., Oct. 27, Confirmation will begin at 6:15pm and conclude at 7:40pm. 

Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 27 (the Wednesday after the MEA break) Confirmation will begin at 6:15pm and conclude at 7:40pm.  We are making this change as we've heard from many students and families impacted by Eden Prairie High School's switch to a late start, and we've heard from parents that are finding it challenging to transition from afterschool activities and supper before Confirmation.

See the complete/updated Wednesday schedule.

Sign Up for Grade Specific Text Alerts

We've heard from some families that you receive so much email that our communications get lost in your inbox and we've heard that some of you would prefer an occasional text to alert you to something important, or a text to let you know that we just sent an important email. So, we're inviting you to sign up for occasional text alerts so we can keep you in the loop.

We won't be bombarding you with texts, but if you'd like to receive occasional text alerts please opt-in for grade-specific updates/alerts!

Wednesday, October 13

   6pm – Refuel (In-person and Livestreamed, see embedded livestream below)

• 7th - 9th Grade students will all meet in the Sanctuary.

   6:20pm

• Small Groups will meet outdoors - weather permitting, or.
• Indoors ("Normal" night) as needed.
• Sara, Jerry & Ellie's Small Group Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86588316201?pwd=Q0gzWG5vb3BxUWgreFR5bUVhOW9Kdz09   Meeting ID: 865 8831 6201   Passcode: 257559

   7:30 p.m. – Confirmation concludes

   7:30 - 8 p.m. - Cornerstone Youth Choir - Music Room

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Calendar Highlights, 2021 - 2022

October 13

      6 - 7:30 p.m. - 10th Grades & Parents - Confirmation Photos and Orientation to the service of Confirmation
     7:30 p.m. - National Youth Gathering (NYG) Information Meeting

October 20: MEA - No Confirmation

October 27: Beginning Wed., Oct. 27, Confirmation will begin at 6:15pm and conclude at 7:40pm.  We are making this change to as we've heard from many students and families impacted by Eden Prairie High School's switch to late starts, and we've heard from parents that are finding it challenging to transition from afterschool activities and supper before Confirmation.  See the complete Wednesday schedule.

Sunday, October 24, 1:30 p.m. - Service of Confirmation (10th Graders)

October 29 - 31: Confirmation Retreat (Onsite with Agape)

October 31, 10:30 a.m.: Hip Hop Reformation Sunday Worship with Agape (Retreat closing)

November 24 - Thanksgiving Eve - Worship at 7 p.m. - No Confirmation (7th graders and families serve pie)

December 15 - Confirmation Christmas Party 

December 22 & 29 - No Confirmation

January 5 - Confirmation Resumes with Refuel, 6 p.m.

January 26 - Service Projects (Meet at 5:30 p.m. and return by 7:30 p.m.)

February 27 - Youth! Rejoice! (9 and 10:30 a.m. worship services)

March 2 - Lenten Schedule

March 23 - Spring Break - No Confirmation

April 13 - Holy Week - No Confirmation

April 30 - Churchwide Garage Sale (fundraiser for youth participation in trips/events)

May 4 - Last Night of Confirmation

 

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General Information:

• Supper will not be served at Immanuel this Fall.
• Confirmation will continue on Wednesdays, beginning with REFUEL - a weekly livestreamed informal worship - at 6pm.  
• Students in grades 7- 9 will be asked to submit 15 Worship Notes (either online or in-person).
• Students in grade 10 will be preparing for their Confirmation on Sunday, October 24.  Details.

Covid Safety Precautions

• Immanuel is asking that ALL people gathering indoors at Immanuel to wear a mask. We hope this is a temporary additional layer of protection.
• The Sanctuary’s glass doors will remain open when REfuel is in the Sanctuary but may be closed when small groups meet in the atrium.
• Small groups will meet in the largest rooms available.
• We will meet outside when possible/practical.

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Confirmation at Immanuel

Students grow in faith through large group worship and teaching, service projects, a retreat, and students grow tight and personal relationships in small groups led by adult Guides and about 50 high school (grades 10-12) Student Leaders.

Each spring we seek out loving and caring adults to serve as Confirmation Guides. Is God calling you to serve in this way?

Students are confirmed in the fall of their 10th grade year (usually on Reformation Sunday).

Students attend the annual Confirmation Retreat - a weekend of growing in friendships and faith.

We have a 3-year curriculum that will focus on God and what God has done for us. As tools we will use the Bible and Martin Luther’s Small Catechism to help us grow in understanding God. We will use songs/music to assist us with memorizing Scripture.

• 7th & 8th Grade, Year 1: New Testament; Year 2: Old Testament
• 9th Grade, Year 3: Daily Discipleship, Questions of Faith, Faith Statements

Small Groups

Our students gather as a large group for our Confirmation opening and then split into their small groups. These small groups provide intentional and deep faith community where students not only learn about faith but experience the Christian faith in/through caring and trusted relationships. All confirmation leaders adhere to Immanuel's Child Protection Policy.

 

We ask that parents do 3 things:

1. Grow in Faith with your Child

• Pray for & with your child daily as it is God who gives and creates faith in us.
• Share highs and lows, read the Bible and then turn your highs and lows into prayer.
• Bible Reading…through the written word, Jesus the Living Word comes to us!
• Use The Faith Five as a format for daily devotions.

2. Worship, Worship Notes and Acolyting

• Worship with your child on Sunday or Saturday and help your child complete 15 worship notes.
• Support your child when scheduled to be an Acolyte.
• Watch the acolyte training video for a reminder of what you need to do.

3. Service Hours Assist your child to participate in the service projects and complete 4 x 60 minute acts of service. This may include:

• Confirmation small group service projects
• Personal acts of service (e.g. teaching Sunday School, VBS Helper, volunteering in the church nursery, scouting service hours, free babysitting, leaf raking, snow shoveling, food packing at Feed My Starving Children, etc.)
• After each act of service each individual, or group, is asked to submit the Act of Service reflection sheet within one week of completing the act of service.
• Confirmation small groups may choose to do this immediately after the act of service or at Confirmation the following week.
• Confirmation Guides will keep a record of each student’s act of service hours.

Can friends come?

Yes! Many students do invite their friends to grow and learn with them.

 

2019 - 2020 end of year video

For more information contact:

Martin Rathjen
Minister of Faith Formation
952-230-0354 (direct dial)
952-937-8123 ex. 54
martin@immanuel.us