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Confirmation
Confirmation is held every other year at First Congregational Church, UCC with 9th and 10th grade high school students. Classes begin in the fall and end in May, and are taught by our Lead and Associate Ministers.
Our philosophy and approach with Confirmation is focused on experiential learning and seeking an understanding of faith through Christ, the Bible, Church history, and youth fellowship. Confirmands participate in regularly held Sunday classes and several retreats throughout the fall and spring. Confirmands are invited to participate in creating and leading worship, attending different churches/congregations, and helping out with special church services throughout the year. In the spring, Confirmands are invited to join as members of First Congregational Church. This takes place in the form of a ceremony usually celebrated in worship during a special Confirmation Sunday occurring in May.
While the intent of Confirmation is to affirm an individual's baptismal promise made by their parents to raise their child in the Christian faith (those not baptized at the time of Confirmation will have the choice to be before being confirmed), it is not mandatory or pressured that youth in confirmation join the church. We invite youth to attend the program and decide if joining the church is the right decision for them to make. In all, we hope to instill a sense of the wonder of God, a foundational understanding of the Bible and the life of Christ, and a willingness to be open and aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
First Congregational Church's confirmation program seeks to offer a sacred and safe space to question and grow in one's faith.
Confirmation Class Years:
2008-2009 CURRENTLY IN SESSION
2010-2011 9th & 10th Grade Students
2012-2013 9th & 10th Grade Students
2014-2015 9th & 10th Grade Students
2008-2009
Confirmation Class Schedule
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Date
|
Time
|
Event
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Location
|
Leaders
|
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2009
|
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Jan.
9-10
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5:00
Fri- 5:00 Sat
|
Urban
Plunge
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Off-site
|
Jacque
& Jeff
|
|
Jan.
16-17
|
5:00 Fri- 5:00 Sat
|
Urban
Plunge
|
Off-site
|
Benjamin
& Jeff
|
|
Jan.
18
|
12:30- 3:00
PM
|
Class
|
Library
|
Benjamin
& Jeff
|
|
Jan.
25
|
12:30- 2:00 PM
|
Annual
Meeting
|
Sanctuary
|
Benjamin,
Jacque, Jeff
|
|
Feb.
1
|
12:30- 3:00
PM
|
Class
|
Library
|
Jacque
& Jeff
|
|
Feb.
13-15
|
5:00
Fri- 12:00 Sun
|
Retreat
# 3
|
Divide
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Jeff,
Jacque, Benjamin,
|
|
Feb.
24
|
6:00- 8:00
PM
|
Shrove
Tuesday
|
Founders’ Room
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Jeff,
Jacque, Benjamin,
|
|
Feb.
25
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7:00- 8:00
PM
|
Ash
Wednesday
|
Sanctuary
|
Jeff,
Jacque, Benjamin,
|
|
Mar.
1
|
12:30- 3:00
PM
|
Class
|
Library
|
Benjamin
& Jeff
|
|
Mar.
15
|
12:30- 3:00
PM
|
Class
|
Library
|
Jacque
& Jeff
|
|
Mar.
21-28
|
TBD
|
Mission Trip
|
Off-site
|
Jeff
& others
|
|
Apr.
5
|
12:30- 3:00
PM
|
Class
|
Library
|
Benjamin
& Jeff
|
|
Apr.
11
|
TBD
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Retreat
#4
|
Church
|
Jeff
& others
|
|
April
12
|
6:00-7:00
AM
|
Sunrise Service
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Portico
|
Jeff
& others
|
|
Apr.
19
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12:30- 3:00
PM
|
Class
|
Library
|
Jacque
& Jeff
|
|
May
1-3
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5:00
Fri- 12:00 Sun
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Retreat
# 5
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La
Foret
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Jeff,
Jacque, Benjamin,
|
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May
16
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6:00-8:00
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Confirmation
Dinner
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Founders’
|
Jeff,
Jacque, Benjamin,
|
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May
17
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9:00
& 11:00 AM
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Confirmation
Ceremony
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Sanctuary
|
Jeff,
Jacque, Benjamin,
|
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Date
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Event
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Details
|
|
2009
|
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Jan.
9-10
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Urban
Plunge
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Pikes Peak Justice and Peace
Commission
|
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Jan.
16-17
|
Urban
Plunge
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Pikes Peak Justice and Peace
Commission
|
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Jan.
18
|
Class
|
UCC
Polity, History, Local church structure and committees
|
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Jan.
25
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Annual
Meeting
|
Confirmands
attend with parents and/or mentors
|
|
Feb.
1
|
Class
|
World
Religions survey
|
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Feb.
13-15
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Retreat
# 3
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Theme:
History of the Christian Church (video series); Mentors invited from
11:00-3:00 on Saturday
|
|
Feb.
24
|
Shrove
Tuesday
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Join
Community Celebration, including burying Alleluia banner and burning palms
|
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Feb.
25
|
Ash
Wednesday
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Taize
service at 7:00 p.m.
|
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Mar.
1
|
Class
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Hour
1: Christian approaches to pluralism; Hour 2: Panel on religious difference
|
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Mar.
15
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Class
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Problems
of Existence
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Mar.
21-28
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Mexico Trip
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Spring
Break Youth Trip to Mexico
border
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Apr.
5
|
Class
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Life
of Christ
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Apr.
11
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Retreat
#4
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Theme:
Spiritual Practices
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April
12
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Sunrise Service
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6:00
a.m. on church portico; general public invited
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Apr.
19
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Class
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History
and identity of this local congregation; Guest Speakers – Jerry Jordan, Bob
Murray, ONA Committee
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May
1-3
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Retreat
# 5
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Final
Retreat: Commitment, wrap up, personal statement of faith
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May
16
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Confirmation
Dinner
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Confirmands,
Parents, and Mentors invited
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May
17
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Confirmation
Ceremony
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Confirmation
Sunday
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