Confirmation (6th Grade Sunday School)

Our vision is to be a church where God lives in us and through us
as we make disciples for Jesus Christ.

Confirmation is a part of this vision for the church, as it helps us to create disciples of Jesus Christ. We use a dedicated team of parents, church members, and staff to teach the class throughout the school year.

What is Confirmation?

  • Confirmation is a time set-aside by the church to teach and nurture boys and girls in the basics of the Christian faith and our understanding of that faith as United Methodists. The purpose is to prepare these young people to be able to decide for themselves if they are ready to make a personal commitment to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit as well as to the church.
  • If the person has already been baptized, he or she has the opportunity to formally and publicly accept their baptism, professing Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Similarly, if they have not been baptized then they have the opportunity to be baptized.
  • Many people ask, “If my child has already been baptized, can he or she be re-baptized?” We, as United Methodists, believe that baptism is only a once in a lifetime event. Therefore, we do not rebaptize.
    Why? We believe that God continues to maintain the covenant God made with the person in baptism even if we do not remember and even if we were too young to understand the meaning of baptism when we were baptized. When we are confirmed, we are making a personal commitment, making that commitment just as important as our baptism.
  • When a youth has been baptized and confirmed, he or she will be a full member of the United Methodist Church.

Who may attend Confirmation?

  • Confirmation at FUMC is geared towards 6th graders, but anyone in 6th-8th grade who has not been confirmed is encouraged to participate.

What do we use to teach Confirmation?

  • First and foremost, we teach using the Bible as our primary source. In addition to the Scriptures, though, we use a 39-week curriculum called Claim the Name to help guide our study. It was written by Walt Marcum, an ordained United Methodist Youth Pastor that has worked with youth since 1968! This curriculum is designed to help 6th-8th graders:
    • Claim the name Christian:
      To confess Jesus Christ as their Savior, put their whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as their Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races.
    • Claim the name United Methodist:
      To be loyal to the United Methodist Church, doing all in their power to strengthen its ministries, by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, and their service.

Where does Confirmation take place?

  • Confirmation takes place on the 3rd floor of the Education Wing at FUMC in room 304-B (over by the pool tables).

What time does Confirmation meet?

  • Confirmation meets on Sundays from 9:15-10:15am during the Sunday School hour allowing time for Confirmands and their families to attend worship at either 8:30am or 10:30am.

Will Confirmands do other activities?

  • Yes! Confirmands will have the opportunity to:
    • Attend other churches and learn about how they worship;
    • Share in fellowship activities and an overnighter;
    • Take part in the Annual Christmas in April Retreat;
    • Share in times with an adult mentor;
    • Share in mission projects; and MORE!

For more information about Confirmation,
contact Rev. Troy Sims, Christian Education Pastor: 940-766-4231, x229.

For many children’s activities and events, you will need to fill out a Medical Release Form.
CLICK HERE download and print the form.


Sunday School in the Park on September 4, 2011

All of Children’s Sunday School (Pre-School, Grades K-6, including Confirmation) will meet in the FUMC Park (across 11th St from the Church) on September 4, 2011!  Come join the fun!

For more information, contact
Kim English (children@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x272).

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Posted on August 26th, 2011 by tsims

Seven Young People Confirmed – April 17, 2011

On Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011, seven young people were confirmed, publicly professing Jesus as their Lord and becoming full members of our church!  In fact, one of them, Jamie Whitmer, was baptized!

The 2011 Confirmands are:  Jamie Whitmer, Avery Trevino, James Scales, Will Harrison, Hailey Harrison, Yeager Edwards,  and Alex Alread.

Here is the Affirmation of Faith that they wrote at their Christmas in April Retreat on April 9, 2011:

We, the body of Christ, truly believe that God is the awesome Creator of life, heaven, and earth. God is the great Giver of mercy and grace, Who created us in God’s image. The Creator sent Jesus to die for us and will always forgive us.

We, the children of God, believe Jesus is our Healer, Teacher, and Leader. After His crucifixion, He rose again on the third day, and He will be with us in our hearts and souls forevermore.

We, as a congregation, trust in the Holy Spirit, Breath of Life, Tongues of Fire, and Living Sanctuary. The Spirit gives us the gifts and fruit necessary to build God’s kingdom.

We, the people of God’s kingdom, participate in evangelism, sharing the good news, and worship forever. Throughout the body of Christ, we connect to God and each other with endless hymn.
Amen.

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Posted on April 18th, 2011 by tsims

Palm Sunday Festivities – April 17, 2011

Join us as we begin Holy Week together at FUMC with these great events on Palm Sunday:

  • 10:30am – Worship
    featuring: Palm Procession & Confirmation
  • 4:30pm – Easter Egg Hunt
  • 5:15pm – Evening BBQ Meal (Hot Dogs Provided for Children)
    - Get you tickets SOON! 

    • $6.00 / Adult
    • $3.00 / Child
    • $20 MAX per Family
    • Visitors eat FREE, so bring a friend!
  • 6:00pm – Passion of the Lord Service
    with “eye-witness testimonies” and the Chapel and Chancel Choirs leading us from Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem to the Last Supper through the Crucifixion.
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Posted on April 13th, 2011 by tsims

Christmas In April Helps in Discerning Gifts – April 9-10, 2011

A highlight for the Confirmation Class each year is the Christmas in April Retreat where the focus is helping the 6th graders discern their spiritual gifts for service in our church and community as they prepare to become full members of the church on Confirmation Sunday (which will be Sunday, April 17, 2011).  On April 9-10, 2011, six confirmands took part in this event at Camp Chaparral in Iowa Park, Texas.

As a part of this weekend, youth helpers (in grades 7-8) attended to help the confirmands in this endeavor and to forge relationships for an easier transition for our 6th graders to enter our youth group.  Also, parents (and one little brother) attended for a special 2-hour segment working with their children and the youth helper to better understand spiritual gifts and their importance within the Body of Christ.

Another highlight included the confirmands writing their own affirmation of faith, which will be professed publically for the first time on Confirmation Sunday!  Be sure to be here for that joyous occasion.

In addition, we saw how John Wesley’s understanding of the workings of God’s grace can be seen through the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Special thanks go to Jeff Ginn, Allison Martini, and Troy Sims for chaperoning this event.

Check out more pictures by clicking this strip:

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Posted on April 11th, 2011 by tsims

United Methodist American History in Under 4 Minutes!

Rev. Troy Sims says that this video is the only thing of substance that he remembers from his own Confirmation, which took place on one Saturday while he was in the 5th Grade.  Enjoy Clayride: A GALLOP Through Methodist History!

Leave comments about insights from this video below!

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Posted on April 6th, 2011 by tsims

Confirmation Celebration Overnighter – February 12-13, 2011

Four of our seven 2010-2011 Confirmands went to the Dallas Area over February 12-13, 2011.  Here are some of the things they did:

Special thanks go to Jennifer Holmes (James’ mom) for being a chaperon on this great trip! It was GREAT!
Check out the pictures below!

2011ConfirmationCelebration

L-R: James, Jamie, Will, Yeager, & Jennifer with food collected in Canned Food Scavenger Hunt!Not shown: Rev. Troy Sims

 

 

 

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Posted on February 14th, 2011 by tsims

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