A Statement of Mission, Characteristics/files/Photo Galleries/Miscellaneous/confirmation_Resized_146x200.jpg
and Experiences

Mission
Confirmation at First United Methodist Church of Coppell is a journey by which students begin to understand and affirm their Christian beliefs and claim their place in the life of the church.

 
Characteristics

  1. This program is designed primarily for students in the sixth grade.  When there is a sufficient number of older youth who are in need of and desire to participate in the Confirmation process, it shall be determined if a separate program will be set up for them.
  2. The sixth grade class shall begin in the fall of each year and run the school year, with Confirmation weekend taking place on the first weekend/Sunday in May.  
  3. A registration fee will be charged to cover the cost of the Confirmation retreat.  Scholarships are available on an as needed basis.
  4. The church budget for Confirmation covers the cost of curriculum, classroom supplies, t-shirts, field trips, dessert reception, gifts and certificates.

 

Experiences
The following experiences are all part of the Confirmation program.  Each experience is designed to be of core value to the process.  All experiences are intended to instruct, form, build and shape each student on their faith journey.  The expectation is that each student will participate to the fullest extent possible.
 

  1. Sunday Morning Classes – The core content of Confirmation is presented in this setting. The “Claim the Name” curriculum presents a 39-week format of lessons regarding United Methodist history and beliefs.
  2. Sunday Evening Fellowship – UMYF – This is a time of fun for all youth in grades 6-12, a social time for the Confirmands to begin to live out their faith in relationship with each other and to build community together. 
  3. Parent Involvement – Confirmation is a time when youth and parents have the opportunity to learn together and to discuss aspects of their faith they may never have talked about before.  Additionally, the need for teachers, chaperones, activity coordinators, drivers, etc. necessitates a heavy involvement by parents. 
  4. Mentor Relationship – Each Confirmand will need a Mentor, an adult church member whom they trust, and with whom they can share their faith.  The mentor will be a “friend in faith”, who will pray for their Confirmand, and participate in at least one service project together during the year. Mentors should plan to attend the Covenant Service and the Service of Confirmation.
  5. Covenant Service – This is a service of worship, during which each Confirmand, parent, mentor, teacher and church staff member covenant to make this process a priority in prayer and presence.  All are expected to make this service a priority.
  6. Field Trips – There will be two group field trips scheduled to Christian churches in the area.  Field trips will also be scheduled on a variety of dates to Temple Emanu-el in Dallas.  Confirmands are encouraged to attend the Bishop’s Confirmation Celebration that is hosted by the Annual Conference.
  7. Service Projects – It is the expectation that each Confirmand will participate in at least two different church based service projects.  That is, their projects must be related to FUMC, Coppell.  The suggestion is that one project would be within the life of the church and one beyond our church walls.  However, that is only a suggestion.  A group of parents will supply the youth with a list of approved projects.  If a youth wants to do a project that is not on the approved list he/she must get approval from the Confirmation coordinator.  The criteria is that when each Confirmand comes for their Staff Visit he/she will be able to articulate what difference they feel they made in the life of others on behalf of Jesus Christ through this project.
  8. Special Worship Services – During the season of Lent it is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED that each Confirmand attend at least two of the three special Lenten Services: Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  Mentors/Parents should attend with the Confirmands and afterwards talk with the Confirmand about their understanding of what they experienced.
  9. Confirmation Retreat – One of the most critical experiences during Confirmation, the retreat should not be missed.  It is both relational and educational.  Several staff members attend and this gives the youth a chance to spend time with these staff members in a casual setting, getting to know them in a new way.  The Confirmands, parents, staff and mentors that attend get an opportunity to get to know each other, building a community within a community.  Additionally, major components of the curriculum content are shared at the retreat.
  10. Staff Visits – As we near the close of the Confirmation program ALL Confirmands must come to the church for an individual visit with a staff member.  These appointments will be made during the month of April.  During these interviews, Confirmands will share what they have learned during Confirmation, and they may ask questions they still have regarding faith issues.  Each Confirmand will be asked by the staff member, “Do you want to be confirmed and join the church?”  It is up to each Confirmand to answer this question.  It is not the decision of a parent, mentor or staff person.  We will all do our best to encourage and help with the decision, but all decisions made by the youth will be honored.
  11. Dessert Reception– A dessert reception is held following the Service of Confirmation.  It is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of each Confirmand and to fellowship together.  It is the custom of FUMC, Coppell for the dessert reception to be hosted by the previous year’s Confirmation Class parents. 
  12. Service of Confirmation – One of the most holy moments in the life of any church, this is a Saturday evening Service of Worship during which each youth is confirmed in the Christian faith.  That is, they make public thier own profession of faith that was made at their baptism.  Or, if a Confirmand is baptized on this date as well, it is a time of renewing that profession of faith, accepting the gift of the Holy Spirit for a life as a disciple of Christ. It is the expectation that all Confirmands will be present for this service.  In extenuating circumstances, alternative arrangements can be made for a youth to be individually confirmed at a later date during a Sunday morning service.
  13. Vows of Church Membership – On the following Sunday morning, at the service of their choice, each Confirmand is invited to receive the vows of church membership.  A youth becomes a full member of FUMC, Coppell when they receive these vows. 
     

The Work of The Education Commission

It will be the responsibility of the Education Commission to:

  1. Support the staff person in charge of coordinating the Confirmation experience.  This staff person will recruit teachers and parent volunteers to assist with leadership needs throughout the year.
  2. Provide a means of evaluation for all who are involved in Confirmation and interpret those evaluations for improvements the following year.
  3. Prepare and be accountable to a budget, including a means for persons to contribute to a scholarship fund.

 

It is the belief of the Education Commission that this Confirmation program is comprehensive as well as meaningful.  It is our hope and prayer that each young person who goes through this program will grow in grace and be strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal.

 

For more information or to enroll in Confirmation, please contact:


Kelly Williams
Assistant to Children’s Ministry
kwilliams@fumccoppell.org
972-462-0471