CONFIRMATION 2027

DEAR PARENTS,

Our 2027 Confirmation experience is about to begin, and we are excited for our 8th grade students to walk through this process and decide for themselves to become a member of Mt. Horeb Church. We are also extremely excited and thankful for our wonderful Confirmation Mentors, without whom, we could not offer this spiritually impactful experience.

Before Confirmation begins in January, we will have a Parent Information Session on November 8 at 12:30 PM in the Student Room. Though this session is not mandatory, we hope you will attend so we can answer parent questions about the Confirmation experience.

Every year, we see tremendous growth in our participants, and it is our privilege as a Student Ministry, to have a role in this important part of their faith journey. 

Our Student Team has developed the GROW theme and curriculum around the spiritual growth we hope to see in the lives of our students throughout their Confirmation journey. Our goal is to help students deepen their understanding of God, strengthen their faith and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

The GROW theme is rooted in 1 Corinthians 3:7 (NLT), where Paul reminds us that neither the person who plants nor the person who waters is ultimately responsible for the growth: “but only God makes the seed grow.”

This verse reminds us that while parents, mentors and the church all have an important role in nurturing a student’s faith, God is the one who brings about spiritual growth. Through Confirmation, we want to create opportunities for students to learn, ask questions, build relationships, grow in their faith and become members of the church while trusting God to do the work within them.

We are praying for great outcomes this year, and we are excited for you, the parent, as you not only have the opportunity to point your child toward Christ, but also the opportunity to grow in your own walk with God as well.

CONFIRMATION EXPLAINED

Confirmation is an annual practice of the Global Methodist Church in which 8th graders at Mt. Horeb Church become full members by going through a Confirmation experience and publicly affirming their faith to the congregation.

The word “confirmation” means to make strong, to strengthen or to make firm. In the church, Confirmation is a special opportunity for students to grow deeper in their faith, become members, strengthen their relationship with God and begin to take greater ownership of what they believe.

Confirmation is more than simply a ceremony or a milestone. It is a meaningful step in a student’s journey of faith. It gives students the opportunity to learn, ask questions, explore what they believe and commit themselves to following Jesus.

The Meaning of Confirmation

We can think about Confirmation from three important perspectives: God, the church and the confirmand. Each has an important part to play in this journey, and together they help us understand the purpose and significance of Confirmation.

Confirmation is a public expression of faith that takes place in worship. During the Confirmation service, the church lays hands on each confirmand and prays for God to strengthen and sustain them in their faith.

Confirmation is closely connected to baptism and assumes that the person being confirmed has been baptized. For some, baptism and Confirmation may take place close together; for others, many years may separate the two. In both, God works through the church to welcome, strengthen and nurture people in their life of faith.

In Confirmation, the confirmand affirms the promises made at baptism. These promises include turning away from sin and turning toward God, professing faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, accepting the authority of Holy Scripture and committing to live as an active and accountable member of the church.

In simple terms, the confirmand professes faith, the church supports and confirms that faith and God strengthens the confirmand for a life of following and serving Christ.

GENERAL INFO

• Confirmation Registration opens October 30.
• Parent Information Session takes place on Sunday, November 8 at 12:30 PM in the Student Room. It is not mandatory, and no advance registration is required.
• Confirmation Cost is $125 and includes:
  • Session materials
  • Confirmation Retreat food/lodging/activities
  • Confirmation Bible
  • Confirmation certificate and gift
  • Confirmation t-shirt
  • Confirmation Celebration and Reception
• Full payment is due at registration.

For payment issues or financial assistance contact Stephanie Cunningham at stephanie.cunningham@mthorebchurch.org.

SCHEDULE

Our Confirmation Sessions will be held each Sunday from 4:00-5:30 PM on the Mt. Horeb Campus. We will use the café entrance of the East building for drop-off and pick-up. During these sessions we will meet together as a large group for approximately 45 minutes, before breaking into gender-specific small groups. Each small group will be led by a minimum of two Safe Sanctuary trained adult Mentors.

• Oct 30 – Registration Opens
• Nov 8 – Parent Information Session
• Jan 3 – Registration closes
• Jan 10 – Confirmation Session 1
• Jan 17 – Confirmation Session 2
• Jan 22 – 24 – Confirmation Retreat Session 3
• Jan 31 – Confirmation Session 4
• Feb 7 – Confirmation Session 5
• Feb 21 – Confirmation Session 6
• Feb 28 – Confirmation Session 7
• Mar 7 – Confirmation Session 8
• Mar 14 – No Confirmation due to Best WKND Ever
• Mar 21 – Confirmation Session 9
• Apr 4 – Make-Up Session
• Apr 11 – Confirmation Sunday with Baptisms (Contemporary Services | 9:00 and 10:45 AM)
• Apr 11 – Confirmation Ceremony and Reception (Sunday 6:00-8:00 PM)

RETREAT INFORMATION

DATES: Friday-Sunday, January 22-24

CAMP LONGRIDGE
1 Longridge Road
Ridgeway, SC 29130
(803) 337-2082

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Friday, January 22
Drop Off – Friday 6:30-7:30 PM
Night Session
Small Group Time
Group Activity

Saturday, January 23
Breakfast
Morning Session
Small Group Time
Lunch
Free Time
Dinner
Evening Session
Small Group Time
Bonfire

Sunday, January 24
Breakfast
Parents join us for Worship Service – 10:00 AM
Pack Up and Return Home

DIRECTIONS FROM COLUMBIA
I77 North
Take Exit #34 (SC 34)
Turn (R), go 2 mi. to Ridgeway
Turn (L) on SC 3 (Church Street/Longtown Road)
Go 6.9 mi. to Camp Longridge

CONFIRMATION SUNDAY & CONFIRMATION CEREMONY

Sunday, April 11
Confirmation Sunday takes place during our Contemporary Services in the Auditorium at 9:00 and 10:45 AM. Students will sit together during the service and have the opportunity to be recognized, join in church membership and be baptized if they have never been baptized before.

Dress code: Confirmation t-shirt with pants or a skirt. Shorts are not acceptable.

The Confirmation Ceremony will be held on Mt. Horeb Campus. We will celebrate the students’ completion of Confirmation by praying over each student and by awarding certificates. Parents will also have an opportunity to give their confirmand a letter. In the past, parents have written about how proud they are of their student, hopes and prayers for their future, a scripture to carry with them the rest of their life, etc. Each student will receive a small gift as a keepsake of their Confirmation journey. This will also be a time to express our gratitude to the mentors. We warmly invite and encourage friends and family to join us. After the ceremony, all are welcome to attend a reception with light snacks and a photo booth. More details will be provided closer to the event date.

Dress code: Semi-formal attire

POLICIES

• Registration will not be accepted after January 3, 2027.
  
• Attendance at the Confirmation Retreat is mandatory. Please arrange your schedule to make attendance top priority. 
  
• One regular Confirmation Session absence is allowed, with the understanding that there will be a required make-up assignment covering the content missed. More than one absence and/or failure to complete make-up assignments will be handled on a case-by-case basis. However, that student will still have the opportunity to seek membership at Mt. Horeb Church by participating in one of the regular Membership Classes and will be permitted to participate in the Confirmation celebration.
  
• All students, parents/guardians and mentors will be required to sign a Confirmation Agreement, which details the requirements for participation in the Confirmation experience. When students, families and mentors work together, students are better equipped to engage fully in Confirmation and take the next steps in their relationship with God. To help establish this partnership, students, parents/guardians and mentors are each asked to make a specific Confirmation Agreement. These covenants outline the commitments and responsibilities of each person and serve as a reminder that Confirmation is a journey we experience together. The covenants are completed during the registration process.
  
• Students will write Statements of Faith during their Confirmation experience. At the end of Confirmation, the student will meet with his/her mentors to review and discuss his/her Statement of Faith.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

Download Statement of Faith here.