I am pleased to share that after much conversation with Pastor Bree and Pastor Makayla, Immanuel, St. Paul, and St. John’s will once again be collaborating for shared Confirmation Classes during the 2023 – 2024 Academic Year.
This collaboration will once again allow for youth from all three congregations to gather for Bible Study, conversations and questions about faith and life, service opportunities, worship, retreats, and other activities.
To accommodate the variety of schedules of congregations, students’ schools, and other extracurricular activities, the combined Confirmation Class will meet for monthly Sunday gatherings from 11 am to 2 pm beginning in September with each session including a light lunch.
As Confirmation Classes at each congregation have been and continue to be part of a multi-year faith formation program, this year’s focus is faith life and a deep exploration of Luther’s Small Catechism. Our tentative schedule is as follows:
- September 10, 2023 – St. Paul – Exploring Baptism
- October 1, 2023 – St. John’s – Exploring the Apostles Creed
- November 12, 2023 – Immanuel – Exploring the Apostles Creed
- December 3, 2023 – St. Paul – Exploring the Apostles Creed
- January 14, 2024 – St. John’s – Exploring the Lord’s Prayer
- February 4, 2024 – Immanuel – Exploring the Commandments
- March 3, 2024 – St. Paul – Exploring the Commandments
- April 14, 2024 – St. John’s – Exploring the Commandments
- May 5, 2024 – Immanuel – Exploring Communion
Throughout the course of the year there will also be occasions for mid-week community service nights as well as gatherings for conversation and planning for youth events including the Fall Retreat, the Schaumburg Youth Quake, and the upcoming Youth Gathering.
On Sundays that do not have a scheduled Confirmation Class meeting, seventh and eighth grade Confirmation Students will gather with the sixth grade Sunday School Class as well as assist the lower grade students during the whole Sunday School event days.
While I understand that this is a significant change from the past year’s Sunday School and Confirmation Class programming, I want to assure Sunday School and Confirmation Class students and families that I will be walking with you during these transitions. As always, if you have a question or would like to know more, please feel free to contact me by phone, text message, or email.
God’s peace to each of you—I’m looking forward to the upcoming School Year and the opportunities it will bring.
