Confirmation
At Gloria Dei Confirmation is a pastoral and educational ministry of the Church which helps the baptized child through Word and Sacrament to identify more deeply with the Christian community and to participate more fully in its mission.

For students, Confirmation is about preparing to take responsibility for one’s own faith. It's about fulfilling the promises parents that made at their child’s baptism. During our Confirmation sessions, we learn about the Bible, the creeds, and most importantly, about the love and grace of God. Students respond to this grace with service to others.

6, 7, and 8th Grade Classes
When: Wednesday evenings from 6:45-8:00p.m.
Where: Lower Level of Gloria Dei
2008-09 Confirmation Registration
Wednesday night Confirmation is a high energy learning experience. Students begin their time in large group by particpating in activities, discussion, and worship songs. Pastor Karna Hagen leads students in a time of learning by using relevant media sources and information to lead students in a better understanding of their faith. After large group, students then break off into small groups to discuss the night's material more in depth. We have a great team of small group leaders that are passionate about helping the youth learn more. Interested in joining the program? It's never too late! Contact Chris Dahl for more details.

Program Details
1. Students will meet in small and large groups Wednesday evenings from 6:45 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
2. Students will be a part of a small group with at least one adult leader.
3. Students will complete a minimum of 12 “Worship Reflections” per year.
4. Students will complete a minimum of 12 “Service Hours” per year.
5. Students will attend at least one retreat/camp experience per year.
6. Students will attend Wednesday evenings on a regular basis.
7. *6 and 7th grade students will receive a new Bible from Gloria Dei*

Ninth Grade
Below is a summary of the Confirmation program for 9th grade students.
1. Students will attend monthly meetings on Sunday evenings from 6:00-8:15pm on the following dates: February 24, March 16. These monthly meetings will include: large group games, worship, snack, teaching, and small group discussion.

2. Students will select a mentor to meet with throughout the year. A mentor is an adult who has the ability to meet with the student at least once a month and who can help this student develop a faith statement before they are confirmed. A mentor card needs to be filled out and turned into Chris Dahl as soon as possible. The cards are available outside his door.

3. Students will complete a minimum of 10 Worship Reflections throughout the year. Worship Reflections are a way of helping the student examine how their relationship with God is affected by their worship experience. These forms are yellow and are available on the kiosk in the Narthex.

4. Students will complete a minimum of 10 service hours this year. There will be monthly opportunities for students to serve through Gloria Dei ministries. Students can also be credited for service done in the community. There are forms available in the kiosk of the Narthex for students to fill out, crediting them with the service they completed.

5. Students will develop and complete a faith statement with their mentor and turn a copy into Pastor Hagen no later than Friday, March 14, 2008. Outlines will be available to help the students with this process.

6. Students will take part in their Affirmation of Baptism, Confirmation Sunday, on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 2:00pm in the Sanctuary of Gloria Dei.

Faith Mentoring
“The path of spiritual growth holds too many pitfalls and wrong turns for it to be a private enterprise.” Timothy K. Jones
We learn what it means to be a Christian in a variety of ways. We do so through worship, Christian education, Bible reading, youth group events, and prayer. A very significant way we learn what it means for us to be a follower of Jesus is by observing the witness and example of others. Sometimes this practice of learning from a more mature believer happens informally. This learning can also take place in a structured way. We can learn from a person chosen by us or appointed for us as our faith mentor.

The purpose of this type of mentoring is not so much to pass on a body of knowledge or information from mentor to young person as it is to enable the building of a relationship between a mature believer and a young person so that an environment for sharing faith can occur.

Tenth Grade
Faith Statements
Tenth grade students meet with the pastors and our youth minister to develop a Statement of Faith. This statement is a brief summary of the student’’s Christian beliefs. Faith mentors with whom students met during the Spring of their 9th grade year, can also be a part of developing the statement of Faith.

Retreats
6th Grade Retreat
There will be a weekend retreat in the Spring of 2008 that all 6th grade students are required to attend. This will be a great opportunity for the students to spend more time with their Confirmation class, participate in worship, activities, learning, and more. Look for a date for this retreat soon.

7th Grade Camp Experience
When: June 8-June13, 2008
Cost: $315/camper
Where: Good Earth Village Spring Valley, Minnesota
This week long camp experience is often life changing for our students. We require this experience as part of our program as it is an amazing opportunity for faith development for the youth. Scholarships are available. Contact Chris Dahl with any questions. The youth leave from Gloria Dei on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM and return at 2:00 PM on Friday afternoon.

8th Grade Retreat
There will be a weekend retreat for students in February of 2008 that all students are required to attend. This experience will include great small group activities, large group activities, worship, and learning more from our Confirmation curriculum. Please look for more details on dates and pricing.