Confirmation Invitation
First UMC invites all students 6th-8th grades to participate in confirmation being part of
this deliberate time of faith preparation. It is a journey that helps the students to ask
questions that help head and heart with their travels through faith development.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me.” John 14:6
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation refers to the decision a person makes to respond to God's grace with
intentional commitment, publicly reaffirming his or her baptismal vows before the
congregation and becoming members of the church.
The confirmation ceremony occurs on May 7th. It is the first public affirmation of the
grace of God in one’s baptism and the acknowledgement of one’s
acceptance of that grace by faith. In other words, the confirmand is taking
responsibility for living as a member of the body of Christ and for fulfilling God’s
purposes in his/her life.
This year we will be doing something special with the Confirmation Class that we have
not done previously. Some of our class sessions will be done in concert with the other
Confirmation classes at local UMC’s of Salina.
Sincerely,
Confirmation Calendar
Scott Jagodzinske, Director of Youth Ministry
February
-off Party,
University UMC 12:30pm (Confirmands,
families and Mentors invited to come)
-2:00PM Confirmation Class
-2:00PM Confirmation Class
-2:00PM Confirmation Class
April
March
-day retreat,
Church of the Cross & First UMC McPherson
May
-2:00PM Confirmation Class
-2:00PM Confirmation Class
-2:00PM Confirmation Class
-3:00PM Confirmation Class,
Trinity UMC (Salina UMC group class)
-2:00PM Confirmation Class
Fellowship Hall
-2:00PM Confirmation Class
-2:00PM Confirmation Class,
First UMC (Salina UMC group class)
Requirements
We recognize that the calendar and requirements for confirmation are rigorous. We believe this
process is worthy of attention, effort, and commitment. If a student is unable to meet the
requirements he/she may not be able to be confirmed.
First Steps
1. Registration
2. Students in 6th-8th grades who would like to participate in confirmation must sign up online
@ http://bit.ly/FUMCConfirm2017 or by using the form located below the youth bulletin board in
the front hallway. (Completed registrations may be returned to Scott Jagodzinske’s office.)
Following registration, they must identify and ask a mentor to join them for the confirmation
process and plan to attend (with parent and mentor) the meeting on Sunday, Feb. 5 at12:30
pm.
Note: All students must be baptized before being confirmed. This can occur the day of confirmation during
the service, or prior.
2. Identify and ask a Mentor to join you for the confirmation process
A word of encouragement about finding a mentor:
Sometimes parents are hesitant to ask someone to serve as their child’s mentor once they see how much time
and effort is required of the mentor. Please take a leap of faith and ask someone anyway! Let the person
know upfront how much is being asked of them, and then trust that he or she will be honest about whether or
not he/she can follow through. Experience has proven that the mentors often get as much out of the experience as the confirmands, and it is an honor to be asked.
It is also tempting to pick a family member to serve as your child’s mentor. We discourage this because it is
important that your child establish meaningful Christian relationships outside his/her family. Our desire is for you
to ask someone in the church whom you admire – whether you already have a relationship with that
person or not. If you have tried, but are unsuccessful in selecting a mentor, please contact Scott Jagodzinske.
I will be happy to help you find a great mentor.
3. Mandatory Kickoff Meeting
Students, parents, and mentors must attend the kickoff lunch meeting on Sunday, Feb. 5th 12:30 pm. Details of
the program will be reviewed – and students, along with their parents and mentors, will have an opportunity
to ask questions. A Super Sub lunch will be provided.
There are 7 Components of the Confirmation Process
1. 11 Confirmation Classes
Students must participate in these 10weekly classes on Sunday afternoons from February 12 to April 30. Each
class covers a specific theme and lesson specific topics. Class teachers will include the Pastor, Dir. of youth
Ministry, other Senior Pastors from Salina United Methodist Churches, among others.
2. Confirmation Retreat
One retreat is scheduled, and students are expected to attend in their entirety. The retreat is free of charge
for the confirmand, with a small fee for Mentors/Parents who would like to attend the Bishop’s Confirmation
Rally March 4th in McPherson.
3. Weekly Small Group Meetings
Students participating in confirmation must participate in at least one youth ministry opportunity at First UMC
each week. These opportunities are Sunday School (Sundays @ 9:40am) and Youth Fellowship (Wednesday, 67:30pm)
Methodism essentially began with a few young college men who started the first small group.
Commonly known as the Holy Club, the concept of personal holiness and social holiness caught fire.
The holiness of life was attained through these small groups that were called class meetings. Small
groups of people would gather for prayer, study, and accountability. Small groups are an essential
vehicle for discipleship – and participation in a small group begins a pattern that can be continued for
a lifetime.
4. Worship
We have two expectations for worship participation:
a. Students participating in confirmation should be in worship whenever they are able, at least 2x
month.
b. b. Students should choose one aspect of worship leadership to participate in
between February and May. They can be an usher, greeter, communion steward, or lay reader.
Students will be contacted by the church office to schedule.
John Wesley taught and practiced accountable discipleship. He knew what we deep
down know today--we can't keep on the path with Christ without the help and support
of other Christians. Without hearing the Word read and preached, without gathering with
other Christians around the table to share and feast upon Christ who is host and sacrifice
for us, and without becoming part of the fire of the Spirit, we are like embers of a fire
separated from the community of grace. We grow cold and the fire and flame of love
grow cold and we die spiritually. We may still believe, but we stand outside the covenant
in our practice. --Rev. Dan Benedict, General Board of Discipleship.
5. Faith Community Visits
Students participating in confirmation and will be required to attend 2 other faith communities (such as a Jewish synagogue, Catholic church, or other Christian denomination). These visits will be coordinated by FUMC,
dates TBD.
6. Service
Pick a project or place to serve and lend a hand. Example: February, First UMC serves supper at the Salvation
Army, or you might volunteer at the Food Bank, Ashby House, Salina Rescue Mission, Animal Shelter or other
volunteer agencies to impact the world around you.
United Methodists have believed, from the beginning, that each of us is called to participate in the outreaching ministry of Jesus Christ. John Wesley described this work in simple, practical terms: "Do all the good you
can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can." Putting our faith into action is at the very heart of
our Christian calling.
7. Meeting with Mentors
Participate in 5 guided conversations with an adult mentor (detailed description below).
At the conclusion of those 7 steps, each confirmand will be required to “interview” with Pastor Eric at the end
of April. In the early spring, a schedule of timeslots will be made available. Each confirmand needs to sign up
for one. This interview is really just an opportunity for the confirmand to discuss their thoughts about faith and
church membership – and to communicate their desire to be (or not be) confirmed.
Who’s Who
Parent Responsibilities
a. Assist Confirmand in inviting a Mentor to join them for this process.
b. Attend February meeting with Confirmand & Mentor
c. Commit to pray for Confirmand & Mentor throughout process.
d. Read all information in this packet – and stay informed as to what discussions your confirmand is
having with their mentor and in their confirmation classes. (While their conversation with their mentor deserves appropriate respect and privacy, you can follow-up with conversation starters that
support the work that is happening in class and in conversation with mentors.)
e. Participate in family devotion. Invite all members of your family to a season of deliberate.
f. All class sessions are open to mentors & parents; join us!
Parent/Family Participation
We know that you are the primary spiritual leaders in your child’s life. Our goal in Christian Education at First
UMC is to come alongside you and equip both you and your child in the process of spiritual growth.
We encourage you during this confirmation time to sit down as a family and engage scripture together. The
SOAP method of Bible study is a version of Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) where you move through a piece of
scripture considering it different ways. We hope you will choose to sit down with your confirmand, or with your
entire family, and engage this process several times in the course of the
confirmation journey.
S: Scripture
- Write out the scripture verse. Read it aloud 2x (perhaps have different people read), and read it to yourself.
O: Observation
- What was interesting to you about this passage? Are there any words or phrases that stood out? Why?
A: Application
- How can you apply this scripture to your life? How will you let it change you?
P: Prayer
- Respond to God in prayer using the scripture and your discussion as a guide. Ask God to help you meditate
and apply the scripture to your life.
While you can use any scripture references, here is a list of recommended ideas:
- Joshua 1:9
- Psalm 103:2
- Jeremiah 29:11
- 1 Timothy 2:22
- 1 Corinthians 1:25
Mentor Responsibilities
A mentor is an adult who is a guide to a confirmand:
a. someone of mature faith who can serve as a guide and companion on this important part of
their journey of faith.
b. not “perfect” – but has a desire and a witness of living a life of faithful discipleship of Jesus Christ.
c. interested in encouraging a young person to express his or her faith and questions openly.
d. someone who can listen and recognize that he or she is still growing in faith, rather than an “I
have all the answers” kind of adult.
e. the same sex as the confirmand.
f. a member of First UMC who is a dynamic Christian. (We require mentors to be members because
they will share in vows of commitment to watch over the student in the life of the church.)
g. someone who can have conversations on their own time with the confirmand, stand with the confirmand
on Confirmation Sunday, and do their best to engage at other times in the course of the Confirmation
process.
h. An unrelated adult. We discourage family members as mentors because it is important that your child
establish meaningful Christian relationships outside his/her family.
As a safety precaution, we ask mentors to agree to the following:
o be Safe Gatherings trained and certified.
o never meet with confirmand alone behind closed doors.
o never drive the confirmand anywhere unless another adult is in the car.
o Always copy confirmand’s parents or the Confirmation Coordinator on any e-mail messages or messages
sent through social networking sites.
If exceptions to those rules need to be made, please contact the Director of Youth Ministry to discuss.
Mentor Registration
Student’s Name: ______________________________
Mentor’s Name: ______________________________ Phone #: ____________________
Text: Y / N
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________
Email Address: _____________________________
Safe Gatherings Certified: Y / N
Facebook: Y / N
Mentor’s Signature: ________________________________
Parent’s Signature: ______________________________ Student’s Signature: ___________________________
Mentor Discussions – Mentor Copy
The model for the time with the Confirmand (1 Hour each session) is:

Welcome/How was your week?
Share with the confirmand as described in the grid below. Each session, this is
your opportunity to share honestly about your faith story. Remember that this is not about you
having all the answers or doing everything “right” – but instead sharing from a place that
allows the confirmand to learn how to tell their own story, share their own doubts, ask questions, and grow in the JOURNEY of discipleship!

Please share in an age appropriate way. The “Share with Confirmand” piece should take no longer
than 10-minutes, be honest – but also take into account that this is not a peer listening to your story, but a
child who is considering their own relationship with God, the church, and the larger community of
believers.


Ask questions and listen for answers. Don’t be afraid of silence. This is a chance for the confirmand to
share bits of their story – or their questions. Allow this time to unfold – as guided by the questions and
the Holy Spirit!

Learn together by opening the Bible and considering what scripture has to say about this
particular aspect of discipleship.

Pray. Always close in prayer – sharing any joys & concerns and inviting the confirmand to share wha
they have coming up in their lives. As it becomes more comfortable, invite the confirmand to
lead the prayer – or for you each to pray for the other.
Session #
Share with Confirmand
Ask & Listen
Learn Together
Answer the question below by sharing part of
your faith story.
Now ask the same question you just answered Read the scripture together and discuss
to your Confirmand
what, if anything, this has to do with
our stories we have shared and the
way God wants to grow us as disciples
1
Who has influenced you the most in your
faith? What about them or their life inspired you?
Who has influenced you the most in your Read Philippians 3:17 & 4:9 - Provfaith? What about them or their life inerbs 9:9 - 2 Timothy 2:2
spired you?
2
Describe turning points in your life and relationship with God or seasons when you
have especially grow in your faith. How did
you know what to do?
Describe turning points in your life and
relationship with God or seasons when
you have especially grow in your faith.
How did you know what to do?
Proverbs 2:6 & 3:5-6 - James 1:5,
4:7 - Isaiah 30:21
3
What part of liturgy and worship do you
connect with most? What does receiving
communion mean to you? What does baptism mean to you?
What part of liturgy and worship do you
connect with most? What does receiving
communion mean to you? What does
baptism mean to you?
- 1 Chronicles 16:23-31 - Psalm 29
4
What does it look like to be a faithful witness of Jesus Christ? How is your faith part
of your daily activities, relationships, &
choices?
What does it look like to be a faithful
Hebrews 11
witness of Jesus Christ? How is your faith
part of your daily activities, relationships,
& choices?
5
Describe a moment or experience when
you’ve felt God was present with you. How
do you tend to encounter God?
Describe a moment or experience when
you’ve felt God was present with you.
How do you tend to encounter God?
Isaiah 41:10 - Romans 8:38-39
Confirmation Description
Confirmation is a process for our youth, from the 6 t h grade through High School, to become full
members of our church. This is a 3 month process of mentoring, group activities, and field trips
(mentors are not required but encouraged to attend activities or field trips.) Through this process, the youth will come to understand what it means to be a mature Christian, and begin to
discern where their place is in His family, the church. The Confirmation process begins annually
in February and continues through early May.
Mentor Information
A Confirmation Mentor should be over age 18, and able to attend the Confirmation Mentor
training class January 22 n d and the Kick0off on Feb 5th. The mentor does have to be a member
of First United Methodist Church.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD MENTOR?
You might think you need to have all the answers to be a good mentor. You don’t. You may
feel inadequate in your knowledge of the Bible and understanding of the Christian faith. If
you’re like most people, you have some questions, even doubts of your own. That’s okay.
Healthy Christian relationships don’t happen as a result of one person knowing the correct answers and feeding them to the other person. A healthy mentor/student relationship involves two
people growing to know and love each other, willing to ask honest questions and seek the answers together. The very word disciple, means “student,” or “learner.”
WHAT DOES A MENTOR DO?
Mentors are given more detailed guidelines at our Confirmation Mentor training; but briefly, a
mentor should:
 Attend Confirmation classes with your student when possible.
 Meet with them 5 times during the Spring.
 Plan and do some kind of service project. It does not have to be large and involved. Simply spending an hour or two at the Salvation Army or helping at Ashby House are great opportunities.
 Be a friend and guide, a companion for the journey.
 Be an example – Allow your mentee to watch you live out your faith.
 Be open – Your mentee will be encouraged to know you had similar struggles as a youth and
that through those struggles you learned what it means to trust God.
 Be a listener – Focus on your mentee’s relationship with God and his/her growth in faith.
 Be encouraging – All of us are more likely to grow when we receive positive affirmation.
Don’t just think a compliment, say it!
 Be caring – Help your young person to become comfortable sharing with you.
 Be prayerful – It is God who ultimately does the work of transforming lives. Pray for your
mentee and trust God to work through you.
So, you see, it’s not a difficult role. As a mentor, you have the opportunity to make a real and
positive difference in the life of a young person.
WHAT IS MY COMMITMENT?
We ask simply that you are willing to affirm, build up and encourage your student through the
Confirmation Journey by meeting with them for confirmation classes and at least a few outside
meetings during this time. It is our hope that your relationship will continue beyond confirmation.
Mentor Discussions - Confirmand/Family copy
The model for the time with the Confirmand (1 Hour each session) is:

Welcome/How was your week?
Share with the confirmand as described in the grid below. Each session, this is
your opportunity to share honestly about your faith story. Remember that this is not about you
having all the answers or doing everything “right” – but instead sharing from a place that
allows the confirmand to learn how to tell their own story, share their own doubts, ask questions, and grow in the JOURNEY of discipleship!

Please share in an age appropriate way. The “Share with Confirmand” piece should take no longer
than 10-minutes, be honest – but also take into account that this is not a peer listening to your story, but a
child who is considering their own relationship with God, the church, and the larger community of
believers.


Ask questions and listen for answers. Don’t be afraid of silence. This is a chance for the confirmand to
share bits of their story – or their questions. Allow this time to unfold – as guided by the questions and
the Holy Spirit!

Learn together by opening the Bible and considering what scripture has to say about this
particular aspect of discipleship.

Pray. Always close in prayer – sharing any joys & concerns and inviting the confirmand to share wha
they have coming up in their lives. As it becomes more comfortable, invite the confirmand to
lead the prayer – or for you each to pray for the other.
Session #
Share with Confirmand
Ask & Listen
Learn Together
Answer the question below by sharing part of
your faith story.
Now ask the same question you just answered Read the scripture together and discuss
to your Confirmand
what, if anything, this has to do with
our stories we have shared and the
way God wants to grow us as disciples
1
Who has influenced you the most in your
faith? What about them or their life inspired you?
Who has influenced you the most in your Read Philippians 3:17 & 4:9 faith? What about them or their life inProverbs 9:9 - 2 Timothy 2:2
spired you?
2
Describe turning points in your life and relationship with God or seasons when you
have especially grow in your faith. How did
you know what to do?
Describe turning points in your life and
relationship with God or seasons when
you have especially grow in your faith.
How did you know what to do?
Proverbs 2:6 & 3:5-6 - James 1:5,
4:7 - Isaiah 30:21
3
What part of liturgy and worship do you
connect with most? What does receiving
communion mean to you? What does baptism mean to you?
What part of liturgy and worship do you
connect with most? What does receiving
communion mean to you? What does
baptism mean to you?
- 1 Chronicles 16:23-31 - Psalm 29
4
What does it look like to be a faithful witness of Jesus Christ? How is your faith part
of your daily activities, relationships, &
choices?
What does it look like to be a faithful
Hebrews 11
witness of Jesus Christ? How is your faith
part of your daily activities, relationships,
& choices?
5
Describe a moment or experience when
you’ve felt God was present with you. How
do you tend to encounter God?
Describe a moment or experience when
you’ve felt God was present with you.
How do you tend to encounter God?
Isaiah 41:10 - Romans 8:38-39