Confirmation Class 2016-2017
The class will meet once a month and is open to all high school students even if they have already been through confirmation or are not yet interested in “being confirmed.” The goal of the class is to get students to claim their identity as Christians and explore what that means. We aim for an understanding that, despite all the problems caused by churches, the Christian Way offers meaningful lessons and a model for living our lives. Students who wish can be confirmed in May 21st. This class will be co-taught by Reverend Doug Robinson-Johnson and Bill Hoch.
SEPT 25th Confirmation Overview
OCT 16th First Lesson. Welcome! What are we doing here?
What is confirmation? We will review the language used for the UPA confirmation service and what it means to them. We will review this outline and discuss a class service project.
NOV 13th Second Lesson. What is “The Church”?
We will review a brief history of the church and discuss how “The Church” universal is different from individual churches. Question to consider include what Jesus wanted in a church and whether we can join The Church even if we disagree with what some churches are doing.
DEC 11th Third Lesson. What are we doing when we attend church services?
We will discuss why people go to church, what they get from church, and what church gets from them. We will also discuss the structure of church services.
JAN 8th Fourth Lesson. The Bible and its role.
We will look at the Bible as a means of conveying Christian principles. We will discuss the history of UCC and UMC churches and how they have viewed the Bible. We will discuss how we each can try and live these principles.
FEB 12th [Note date change!] Fifth Lesson. What does it mean to live a Christian life?
What does it means to live a Christian life. How would we live differently if we actually met Jesus? We will look at examples of how people have turned their faith into action and consider the broad range of ways we can do that as well. We will ask how we feel about joining an organization (the church) that regularly fall short of its ideals but keeps trying to do better.
MAR 5th Sixth Lesson. Why join a church?
Going to church was mandatory for most of history. Now it is a choice. Why make that choice? We will discuss how attending a church community can help people discovery and explore their innate spiritual gifts and talents. We will discuss the importance of being connected with a caring community and how people can give back to those communities to help themselves and others.
APR 2nd Seventh Lesson. What are we doing here in this class?
We will review the confirmation language to be used in the service again and see how students feel about it. Does it need editing? Can we agree with it? How does each of them want to live a Christian life? Do they want to be confirmed?
LAST SUNDAY WAS THE FIRST DAY OF YOUTH GROUP
- Katherine
- Oliver
- Griffin
- Julie mentors Austen
- Kevin mentors Chase
- Melissa mentors Amanda
- Natascha mentors Jack
There are 26 active youth this year and 14 mentors!
We are planning a nice variety of fun social experiences this year like:
- Fall Adventure Park,
- 2 Winter Ski Trips (Junior and Senior High), and
- Spring Au-Lympic Games
- Fall Bristol Lodge Meals
- Winter Angel Tree Work
- Summer Work in DownEast Maine Thrift Store (Middle School) and Housing (H.S.)
We are recruiting youth leadership and planning a fundraising dinner!
We are welcoming new leaders, including High School teacher Rebecca Walsh Bradly and Recent High School Grad. Audrey Reuman!
We have new, improved plans for confirmation!
on your family schedules:
Sunday, September 18, 9 AM
FIRST YOUTH GROUP GATHERING!
Youth Room
Sunday, October 2nd, 9AM
MENTOR-STUDENT BREAKFAST
High School Students and Mentors
Blue Room
MENTOR/MENTEE Contest 11:30-12
All mentors and 9th through 12th graders, confirmed or not.
church Front Lawn: Dress Casually!
June 5, 2016
Adult mentors for the 2016-17 School year are consecrated. Each year incoming High School students request adult mentors from among the membership of UPA. If You would like to learn more about this program, contact Pastor Doug.
Musical Ensemble Andy, Evan, Tyler and Brian.
Acolytes Matt and Evan
CONFIRMATION! Congratulations Conor!
Gracie Jackson offers Senior Sermon. Accompanied here by Conor.
The Cross and Flame Youth Bell Choir from Homewood, Alabama, performs at UPA Sunday May 29, 2016
The Cross and Flame Youth Choir
» See Previous Youth Group Items
Program Overview
Now is the right time for 6th through 12th grade students to develop an inclusive view of people, an expansive view of God, and a steady commitment to justice! The UPA Youth Program offers these values in a safe, fun environment!
Learn more about
- ADVENTURES (Learning the ROPES, SKIING, Olympic Games)
- SUNDAY CLASSES (Not your grandmother’s Bible Study! Video, improv, lively conversation!)
- CONFIRMATION (For those High School students serious about developing their faith.)
ADVENTURES
We meet every Sunday morning at 9AM. Sometimes we plan for big outings like our annual trip to Gunstock in NH for skiing. Sometimes we learn spiritual practices like yoga–because life is stressful! And we always check-in with each other to make sure everyone knows how loved they are!
SUNDAY CLASSES
Regular Classes are held every Sunday
10:20 to 11:30am “Go Deep. Be Real. Let Go!” TEEN TEXT (see sample Curriculum HERE)
While adults reflect on Bible texts more formally in worship, young people explore those same texts more informally through modern movies and group conversation.
“Mentors”
Mentors are adult participants of United Parish of Auburndale who demonstrate inclusive, expansive, and steady faith who accept responsibility to meet with one or two High School students with whom they are paired. Mentors are nominated by youth and their families, interviewed by pastor or youth counselor, and endorsed by the congregation each year in June.
Students who wish to deepen their faith through the CONFIRMATION program are invited to begin selection of a mentor in the Spring of their eighth-grade year. Mentors can also be assigned or re-assigned as needed through a teen’s High School career. The official mentor partnership ends at graduation, yet for many young adults, the relationship remains vibrant and deep.
