Confirmation kids, pew-scooting during retreat
CONFIRMATION For Young Teens
Outline of a program by Jim Burklo conducted at Sausalito Presbyterian Church
Confirmation is the church's process for spiritual "coming of age" for young people. It's a lot like bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah for Jewish youth. Thjis confirmation class is open to young people who aren't intending to be members, as well as those who do plan to become formal church members. It's an in-depth exploration of Christian faith and also of other religious traditions. It's a way to make Christianity a choice rather than just the chance result of having been raised in the church. All who complete the process will be honored with a diploma, and those who wish to become adult members will be inducted into membership in a ceremony in worship. They will also be given Bibles as part of the ceremony. The church recognizes adulthood earlier than just about any other institution - all the more reason to make a big deal about confirmation!
Requirements: 1.) Attendance and active participation at all of the group sessions (unless excused and "made up" by explicit arrangement). 2.) Completion of a confirmation project.
Confirmation Project: a work of writing, art, or performance (dramatic, musical, or electronic) which reflects study, practice, and personal interpretation of Christian tradition. Each confirmand chooses an adult mentor from our church to assist him or her in creating the project. Families of confirmands are invited to hold special events (at church or elsewhere) at which their child makes a presentation before those who attend.
Group Sessions:
Sept 12, noon, for lunch: Coming of Age
The first session will be time for introductions to each other and to what "confirmation" is all about. We'll get a taste of what "coming of age" rituals are like in many different religious and cultural traditions.
Sept 19, 11-12 am: Spiritual Power
This session begins with exploring the Bible stories of spiritual power - how the characters of the Bible received and used power. Patti will teach us some martial arts moves at a nearby dojo and help us reflect on the spiritual management of physical power. Jim will end with exercises in non-violent action, using spiritual power to change ourselves and society.
Sept 26, 11-12 am: Turning Points: Time with Sages
This is a chance to ask some of our church's wise elders - clergy and lay people -- about the spiritual turning points in their lives.
October 3: 11 am- 4 pm: God in San Francisco: ferry ride, walking tour of religious places.
We'll take a trip to the City and visit a bunch of sacred sites of different religions - in Chinatown, Japantown, at Grace Cathedral, etc..., exploring the idea of pluralism - that no one religion is superior to all others ... and exploring the differences and similarities of religions.
Oct 10, 11-12 am: Holy Words: exploring the Bible and sacred texts.
We'll do calligraphy and "illuminate" parts of the Bible in Hebrew and Greek, and look at other sacred texts of other religions in their original languages. We'll explore the history of how the Bible came into being, and what it contains.
Oct 16-17, overnight Sat 6 pm through worship on Sunday: Windows of the Soul
This will be our confirmation overnight retreat at the church - we'll have dinner together, and then go on a "pilgrimage" scavenger hunt through downtown Sausalito. We'll learn and practice some simple prayer chants from Christian and other sources. We'll learn and practice some basic prayer and meditation practices. We'll also study and make icons - images that are windows into the realm of the soul. We'll create a communion service late at night in the sanctuary and then sleep among the pews overnight and then have breakfast together before worship.
Oct 24, 11-12 am: Inside the Church: what it is and how it works.
What does it mean to be an adult church member? What do these words mean: Presbyterian, elders, session, deacons, pastors... We'll do an exploration of the history and the governance of our church and other churches.
Oct 31, 9:30 am worship through 12 noon: ALL SAINTS' DAY
Participants will share some of their confirmation projects in and after worship as part of our celebration of All Saints' Day.
Nov 7, 9:30 am worship through 1 pm: CONFIRMATION PARTY
Ceremony in worship for all who have completed confirmation. More participants will share confirmation projects in and after worship, with a lunch party from 11:30-1 for families and friends.
Confirmation Projects
One of the requirements for completing confirmation is the "confirmation project". The purpose of the project is to make or do something that helps you grow spiritually, that helps you learn about your faith tradition, and that serves or educates others. You can make up your own project and propose it to Jim and Patti for approval, or you can take on one of these project ideas listed below. It can be a work of writing, art, service, or performance (dramatic, musical, or electronic) which reflects study, practice, and personal interpretation of Christian tradition. Each confirmation class member chooses an adult "mentor" from our church to assist him or her in creating the project (Jim and Patti can help you with this). We will arrange times for each participant to present his or her project before the class and/or the church as a whole. The due date for completion of the project is Oct 31.
Project Ideas:
1. Writing the Christmas play for children for Christmas Sunday (with help from Jim Burklo).
2. Writing and performing a piece of music for use in worship.
3. Doing a written or visual or dramatic presentation on one of these topics:
a. A Christian social justice/service leader and how his/her efforts affects people today. (suggestions: Martin Luther King, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Mother Teresa, Dorothy Day)
b. The history of our church
c. Your in-depth interpretation of a passage from the Bible, using scholarship about history and language as well as your own ideas.
4. Doing a prayer/meditation "experiment". Maintain a prayer or silent meditation practice during the period of confirmation, and report on the experience in writing or in a visual or dramatic presentation.
The mentor you choose should be one that is especially able to help you with your particular project.