Hello, families! 

I am attaching the 2008 Blend Class schedule (now until Dec.) and the 2009 Confirmation Class schedule (Jan.-May).  Even though it seems as if these are two separate classes, in truth they are meant to work together so that your child will be ready to jump into full church membership after being confirmed in May! 
BLEND CLASSThis Fall, Thomas Riebe, Mike Crabb, Karen Clevenger, and I will all be working together in The Blend classroom (room LL36).  The curriculum for the Blend Class gets the kids talking about the world in which they live and how to integrate their faith into daily life.  The kids get into the Bible, use scenarios to discuss, and begin building relationships with their church family.  In the Blend Class, the kids will have the opportunity to visit the Youth Worship service and get to know both of our Youth Ministers, Scott and Kevin, participate in Autumn Extravaganza, go on an awesome, high ropes adventure retreat, hand out coats to Hamilton County's needy at Kids Coats, and serve our very own church family at Wednesday Night Friends and Family!  Sound like fun?  It is!!  -- CUMC's head of Jr. High Programming is Kevin Andrews and your kids will get to know him very well this year along with Thomas, Mike, Karen, and me.  Scott McDermid is the Youth Minister at CUMC and, although he is primarily in charge of Sr. High Programs, your kids will get to know him as well, especially if they get involved with our Youth Small Groups.  CONFIRMATIONStarting January 4, I will begin teaching the Confirmation Class.  January 4 is an informational meeting for you and your students.  DON'T MISS IT!  On January 4 we will meet & greet parents, staff, and students right after the Youth Worship service from 10:30-11:00, food included!  I will go over the Confirmation curriculum and answer any questions you might have.  It is important for both students and parents to attend as each have jobs and homework for the semester-long class!  Even though the Confirmation Class is more like a "traditional" class in that it actually has requirements for completion/graduation, it still more exciting and fulfilling than school AND it is a wonderful faith-journey that your kids will (hopefully) take with them for years to come!  The class has a Bible study format:  1) Read God's Word, 2) Interpret God's Word individually, and then 3) Discuss God's Word as a group.  In Confirmation, we go beyond studying God's Word to acting out our faith through retreats, mission projects, and ministry work.  Throughout this year, your students will see the process of Jesus Christ at work in their lives as they live out their faith.  All the kids will know what it means to be a Christian and to be a member of Christ's Church by May...they will know what they are promising when they take their Confirmation vows at graduation.  What an exciting year they have ahead of them!
CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENTS:1) attend classes There are 12 classes that the kids will have to attend or make-up.  Please call or email me to schedule make-ups: 663-0552 / LWithrow@mindspring.com 2) attend 1 Retreat (the kids list the retreats as their favorite activity for the year; they will probably want to go to both!)Two retreats are offered: High Ropes/Team Building (Fall);  Walking with Christ (Spring) -- check dates & pick one or attend both!3) participate in 1 mission project:  Kids Coats (Fall);  Soup's On (Spring) Each mission project is a 6 hour commitment plus participation in a coat drive (Fall) or food drive (Spring).4) participate in 1 ministry projectEach semester the kids will have the opportunity to serve dinner to their church family at Wednesday Night Friends and Family -- I will urge the kids to attend both (a great way to meet people)!
WHAT TO DO NOW:I know that I've just thrown a bunch of information at you, but I promise that once you've printed out the attached schedules and put them in your calendars, then it will all seem more manageable!  I will keep in touch with you and keep you informed via email, and you are welcome to do the same!  Let me know what I can do to make things easier for you!  Thank you for your support, prayers, and participation!  See you on Sunday in the Basement room LL36!In Christ,Linda Withrow (Confirmation Leader)

 
Email: lwithrow@mindspring.com