confirmationstudents engaging in the gospel within the

relationships of the First Church congregation.

~

2020/21

CONTACT INFORMATIONCesar Hernandez, Associate Pastor

chernandez@firstchurchcl.orgmobile #: 847.878.5509

First Church236 W. Crystal Lake Ave. | Crystal Lake IL | 60014

815.459.0785 | firstchurchcl.org

What’s Next? 1. Have a family discussionConfirmation will need to be a priority and will require a commitment of time and attention by the youth and their parent(s). This commitment includes meetings on most Sunday mornings for an eight month period plus three retreats. That is a significant investment of time, but our intent is to provide a strong foundation for a milestone decision that anchors a lifetime of faith, hope and love.

2. Mark your calendarIncluded in this brochure is the schedule for the confir mation journey beginning with the Informational Meeting held on September 16 from 6 - 8 p.m. in Hale Chapel. Further information and questions will be addressed at the Informational Meeting.

3. Register for Confirmation 2020Complete the registration form below, detach and return it to Pastor Cesar.

Confirmation Registration (also available at firstchurchcl.org/confirmation)

Student Information

Name:

Grade: Age:

Address:

City, State, ZIP:

Preferred Method of Contact: ___Text ___Email

Mobile #:

Email address:

Parent Preferred Method of Contact: ___Text ___Email

Parent Mobile #:

Parent Email address:

Confirmation Goals1. Students will engage, understand, and choose a path’in their personal faith journey.

2. Confirmation will include a strong and healthy dynamit where the adults of our church will spend time guiding and mentoring the youth.

3. Confirmation preparation will take into consideration the time constraints of today’s families and youth.

4. Confirmation preparation will be part of the larger student ministries of the congregation.

5. Pastors will be involved in the confirmation journey.

6. Parents of confirmands will be kept informed of the preparation process and be invited to partici-pate.

7. The confirmation preparation process will be practical and affordable.

Confirmation Goals1. Students will engage, understand, and choose a path’in their personal faith journey.

2. Confirmation will include a strong and healthy dynamic where the adults of our church will spend time guiding and mentoring the youth.

3. Confirmation preparation will take into consideration the time constraints of today’s families and youth.

4. Confirmation preparation will be part of the larger student ministries of the congregation.

5. Pastors will be involved in the confirmation journey.

6. Parents of confirmands will be kept informed of the preparation process and be invited to participate.

7. The confirmation preparation process will be practical and affordable.

Confirmation in 2020

Informational MeetingWould you like to be part of confirmation journey? An informational meeting will be held Wednesday, September 16 from 6 - 8 p.m. at First Church or via Zoom. We encourage all parents to come with your son or daughter and listen about our program and activities in confirmation for this year.

If you are unable to attend to this meeting, please contact Pastor Cesar for information. (chernandez@firstchurchcl.org)

Weekly MeetingsConfirmation begins formally Wednesday, October 7. For the first two months we are going to meet weekly and from December the meetings would be every other week. The weekly meetings are important because of the material presented and the instruction given, because of the strategic time in young peoples’ lives, and because it gives the pastor the opportunity to serve as a shepherd for the young people.

Retreat, Church Visitations and Youth GatheringsDuring this confirmation journey, we are going to have one day retreat at Phantom Ranch Camp, two church visitations and two gatherings with the youth group. These retreats give a new perspective and view to the students about different religions and also interacting with friends from the youth group.

MentorsFirst Church embraces the importance of community in the journey of faith development in all the students and provides the right materials to encourage cooperation with parents and mentors in the confirmation process and beyond. But what is expected of mentors? Being a confirmation mentor will require many qualities: it shall require understanding of the importance of confirmation, a passion for engagement, openness to share and listen, and an ability to relate to young people. First Church chose and trained four people as mentors based on their unique abilities to serve as role models in the Christian faith and they should also be ready to answer questions any confirmand has about the Christian life.

High SchoolIf you are in 9th grade or higher, you may think it’s too late for you to be a part of Confirmation. But you can still participate! Come and explore how you can be a servant of Jesus; come and share your knowledge and experiences with us and together be partners for the benefit of our community and church.

Confirmation 2020 Schedule

September 16 | 6 - 8 p.m. | Informational Meeting

September 26 | Phantom Ranch Camp Retreat

October 7, 14, 21, 28 | 6 - 8 p.m. | Weekly Meetings

November 4, 11, 18, 25 | 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Weekly Meetings

December 2 & 9 | 6 - 8 p.m. | Bi-Weekly Meetings

December 13 | 4 - 7 p.m. | Youth Christmas Party

January 10 | Church Visitation (Philippine/Latino/Korean)

January 24 | Youth Gathering (Youth Loft/activities)

January 13 & 27 | 6 - 8 p.m. | Bi-Weekly Meetings

February 10 & 24 | 6 - 8 p.m. | Bi-Weekly Meetings

March 10 & 24 | 6 - 8 p.m. | Bi-Weekly Meetings

April 7 & 21 | 6 - 8 p.m. | Bi-Weekly Meetings

Confirmation Sunday:Confirmation Sunday is on Sunday, May 23. On that day, First Church will publicly confirm the intention of all participants to live the vows of the baptismal and membership covenant in The United Methodist Church and become professing members of our denomination.