Confirmation 2024-2025
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation at Athens First United Methodist Church is a time of concentrated learning and reflection designed for seventh graders. The purpose of Confirmation is to help these students confirm their faith in God. We are focused on guiding and instructing our Confirmands on the vows they are making to become professing members of the United Methodist Church.
There are three goals set out for Confirmation:
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To have each Confirmand rejoice in God’s freedom and power and confess Jesus Christ as their Savior.
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To have each Confirmand grow deeper in their faith walk and desire to be active in Student Ministry and the Athens First United Methodist Church body.
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To have each Confirmation family grow deeper in their faith journey together and be renewed in their desire to serve Athens First United Methodist Church with their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service, and their witness.
Begin Confirmation with the Confirmation Retreat!
Confirmation officially begins August 23-25, 2024, with a retreat to Camp Glisson in Dahlonega, GA as part of the SPARK Middle School Retreat. This retreat is an important beginning to our Confirmation journey together. The spiritual foundation of the retreat features fellowship, worship, reflection, presentation of Bibles, Bible study and application, and team-building activities for the new Confirmation class.
Our Confirmation Sessions Begin After the Retreat.
On Sunday, September 8 we will begin our Sunday morning Confirmation sessions. Confirmands will gather most on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am for the lesson. They will spend this time in their small groups in discussion, Bible Study, activities, and getting to know one another.
Who Is in Charge of Confirmation?
The Confirmation experience is led by the Director of Student Ministry: Hannah Stubblefield. There is also a team of Confirmation leaders who will help to lead the Confirmands through their lessons and discussions each Sunday morning.
What About Attendance Requirements?
Our Confirmation process is a comprehensive package comprised of the Confirmation Retreat at Camp Glisson, an evening celebration, and a worship service with the Athens First UMC Congregation. It is intended that participants be involved in the whole range of activities alongside their peers. Students cannot miss more than 2 classes during the Confirmation season. Confirmation begins with the retreat in August and will conclude with Confirmation Sunday late January/early February.
Costs and Registration
The cost of Confirmation is $225. This covers Camp Glisson lodging and meals, all activities at Glisson, all Confirmation supplies, a Confirmation t-shirt, and a new Bible for the Confirmation journey and beyond. The bulk of these costs are centered on our retreat experiences.
IMPORTANT: $100 deposit is due at registration. The remaining balance is due by Thursday, August 1, 2024. Please help us in sticking to this deadline so that we can be best prepared for every Confirmation participant.
Confirmation Calendar
Seventh graders become part of our Youth Group on Promotion Sunday in August. This means Confirmands are welcome to all youth group activities before the first Confirmation session on September 8; beginning in August with Promotion Sunday. This includes Youth Sunday School, Sunday Night Encounter, and Wednesday Night Bible Study.
- August 1: Confirmation Registration/Fee due NO LATER than this date.
- August 23-25: Confirmation Retreat
Camp Glisson, Dahlonega, GA - Sept. 8-Januay 12: Sunday Morning Confirmation Sessions
9:30-10:30 a.m. - Confirmation Sunday: TBA
Do You Offer Confirmation for Older Youth & Adults?
The Confirmation experience in the Fall of 2024 is for students in grades 7 and 8, but we do offer alternative options for anyone older than grade 8 who would like to be confirmed in the United Methodist Church. If you are an older youth or an adult who would like to go through Confirmation, please contact Hannah for more information.
Hannah Stubblefield, Director of Student Ministry |