7th and 8th grade
CONFIRMATION
During this season, youth are invited to learn and grow together, and explore the promises of baptism at work in their lives. This is a time to learn and discern how faith fits, personally and communally. The culmination of this season of learning is a celebration on Reformation Sunday (last Sunday in October) during their ninth grade year, where youth are invited to an Affirmation of Baptism.
Youth will be invited to explore and claim the promises of baptism, for themselves:
- to live among God’s faithful people
- to hear the word of God ad share in the Lord’s supper
- to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed
- to serve all people, following the example of Jesus
- to strive for justice and peace in all the earth
The confirmation program combines fellowship, learning, serving, worship and discovering God’s grace in our world. Confirmation is about equipping youth to be disciples – daily following Christ through relationship with others and being part of their church. Confirmation is so much more than mastering facts about Jesus, about the church, and about the Bible, it is about living their faith in the real world.
SUNDAYS
Middle School Youth meet every Sunday morning from 9:30am-10:30am downstairs to discuss real life situations, compare with Biblical context and support one another in our faith.
CROSS TRAILS RETREATS and CAMPS
Cross Trails Ministry, the camping and retreat ministry of the Southwestern Texas Synod, offers four Confirmation retreats over a two year cycle, focusing of Luther’s Small Catechism. This is a fun and educational way to learn about our faith with our friends around central Texas. When a confirmation student attends all four retreats over 7th and 8th grade (1 each fall and 1 each early Spring) they will have explored Lutheran theology at work in God’s creative and redeeming work in the world. This retreat is often one day at a neighboring ELCA congregation or an overnight at a Cross Trails camp.
Middle Schoolers are also invited to attend a week of Confirmation Camp each summer with our Gethsemane group, alternately between Camp Ebert in Harper or Camp Chrysalis in Kerrville.
SYNOD GATHERINGS
There is an annual Middle School Gathering for all congregations in the Southwestern Texas Synod in the fall. This year it is at Camp Chrysalis on November 15-17, 2024 for all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Contact the Gethsemane office to find out more.
