Dear 9th Grade Families,
Congratulations! You’re entering the home stretch of our Confirmation program! Having this amazing group of 9th graders to encourage and confirm in their faith is life-giving to our entire congregation. Thank you for your commitment to being a part of this community throughout your students’ middle school years.
Our hope for all 9th graders is that they would continue to FLOURISH throughout their high school years. We pray they grow in faith, self-confidence, and depth of relationships with others as they continue to walk with God.
The purpose of the 9th Grade Capstone program is to:
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Complete education regarding what it means to be Lutheran
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Help the students transition into taking ownership of their faith
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Introduce them to what opportunities are available in High School
CAPSTONE PROGRAM
Step 1 • Register and choose a Track for your 9th grader (Each track has its own schedule and final project)
Step 2 • Experience our Confirmation Weekend, October 26 & 27 (On Saturday we have a banquet for all families and rehearse worship, then on Sunday we will worship together)
Students must select 1 track that fits their schedule, but they can also opt in to other tracks as well for a richer experience.
KEY DATES
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Orientation • Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 6:30pm in Great Hall
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9th Grade Faith Sharing Event • Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 6:30pm in Great Hall
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Confirmation Banquet • Saturday, October 26, 2024, for each Confirmand + 3 guests. Held in Sanctuary Fellowship Hall (Assigned by Confirmation Small Group)
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Stole Making - Students get to decorate their own stoles! They will be handed out at Orientation and should be turned in by Sunday, October 13. Stoles will be displayed in anticipation of their Confirmation.
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Confirmation Worship • Sunday October 27, 9am or 10:30am, Affirmation of Baptism service (Assigned by Confirmation small group)
TRACKS
Leadership Track
Our leadership track will take place over the weekend of September 27-29. The bus to Camp Wapo leaves Friday afternoon after school and students will spend the weekend being trained as Peer Ministers. Peer Ministry Training has been the cornerstone of our leadership development at St. Andrew’s for over a decade. It teaches how to listen, communicate, and make people feel welcome in any circumstance. Students also learn how to tell their story in a way that connects with others. Sign up for this track if you want to grow in your social skills and go deeper with your peers!
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Final Project • Writing a personal mission statement and 3 action items toward how you want to serve your community.
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Schedule • Friday, September 27, 4pm through Sunday, September 29 at Noon. (Bus leaves from and returns to church.)
Music Ministry Track
Our Music Ministry track is for any student interested in musical expression. Singers and musicians of all skill levels, select this track to be instructed by our own resident musicians Andy Haase and Bill Chouinard. Each Sunday morning, you’ll learn new music together with your peers and work toward performing live during our Affirmation of Baptism service. It’s always a joy to sing together and honor God through praise and worship, especially when you get to do it with your peers in a safe environment. Choose this track for a unique opportunity to try choir out for 4 weeks and improve your vocal and instrumental skills through teaching from these quality
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Final Project • Lead music on Sunday, October 27 during service.
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Schedule • Sundays, September 22, October 6, 13 & 20, from 11:30am-12:15pm
Theology & Worship Track
Our Theology & Worship track is for any student who wants to learn more about what we believe and how we express it in worship. Each Sunday, we will all sit together at worship and take notes about the sermon and other aspects of worship. Then, afterward, we will have a discussion about the topics that were presented in worship that morning. Our goals will be to ask big questions, learn about the specifics of Lutheran Theology, and feel more informed about how to participate in worship moving forward.
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Final Project • Write a Faith Essay on a topic that we discussed during our discussions (i.e., What does Grace mean to you?)
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Schedule • Sunday Mornings for services
September 22, 10:20am - 12:15pm Sanctuary building
October 6, 10:20am - 12:15pm Sanctuary building
October 13, 9:20am - 11:15pm Great Hall building
October 20, 9:20am - 11:15pm Great Hall building
Small Group Relational Track
Our Small Group Relational track is for students excited to have weekly discussions about their lives and their faith. Led by our trained upperclassmen Peer Ministers, this track will involve fun, fellowship, and feasting on the Word of God! Each week we’ll come together to check in, study the Bible, discuss what we feel Jesus is telling us regarding navigating difficult times. We’ll also enjoy weekly activities and games. Students should choose this track if they are interested in committing to being part of a small group through May. Our hopes for this track is that students will find a support group that helps them navigate the difficulties of freshman year of high school and forms relationships that will last a lifetime.
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Final Project • Write a faith essay on why community is important for Christians.
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Schedule • Wednesdays, September 18, 25, October 2 & 9 from 6:30-8pm in the Youth & Sports Center, and then all following Wednesdays (when programs are scheduled) through May.
Track 1
September 11 • Orientation
September 27-29 • Retreat
October 23 • Faith Share
October 26 • Banquet and Rehearsal
October 27 • Worship
Track 2
September 11 • Orientation
September 22 • Rehearsal
October 6 • Rehearsal
October 13 • Rehearsal
October 20 • Rehearsal
October 23 • Faith Share
October 26 • Banquet and Rehearsal
October 27 • Worship
Track 3
September 11 • Orientation
September 22 • Worship
October 6 • Worship
October 13 • Worship
October 20 • Worship
October 23 • Faith Share
October 26 • Banquet & Rehearsal
October 27 • Worship
Track 4
September 11 • Orientation
September 18 • Small Group
September 25 • Small Group
October 2 • Small Group
October 9 • Small Group
October 23 • Faith Share
October 26 • Banquet and Rehearsal
October 27 • Worship
Cost: $175 (includes all costs, robe, stole and banquet fees). St. Andrew’s offers no questions asked scholarships, use discount code “WAIVE” for a full waiver or “DISCOUNT” for a 50% reduced fee.