Confirmation
2014 South Georgia Conference Confirmation Retreat
March 14-16
Epworth By The Sea
St. Simons Island, Ga
Connectional Ministries, in partnership with Epworth By The Sea on St. Simons Island, will again offer youth from around the Conference the opportunity to learn, worship and fellowship at their annual Confirmation Retreat.
Set for March 14-16, 2014, registration will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. While the retreat itself has space for 600 participants, the maximum space for on-site housing at Epworth By The Sea is 500.
Designed for students in the sixth grade and above, the “Join the Journey” Confirmation Retreat will provide churches of all sizes an opportunity to connect with others through worship, study, and fellowship. The event will also include large group gatherings around the church seasons and breakout sessions with topics of grace, United Methodist History and United Methodist lingo.
Not meant to be the only confirmation youth go through, the Confirmation Retreat should be complimentary to what a church is or will be doing.
Workshop topics include:
- Talkin' Funny / Mumbo Jumbo: This workshop with help attendees understand and define the words used in United Methodism, including Wesleyan terms, organizational terms, titles, and more. Confirmands will gain a greater sense of organization and understanding of key people and terms.
- Three Simple Rules: This workshop is a study of the General Rules that were observed by the Methodist societies of John Wesley and that are found in the United Methodist Book of Discipline. Students will explore what it means to do no harm, to do good, and to attend upon all the ordinances of God.
- Packing for the Journey: This workshop will help students learn about things they will need on their “journey” of faith. They will learn about what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus, how to grow in that relationship, and why it is important to serve others because of that relationship.
Also offered during the weekend are Join the Journey “Holy Clubs,” smaller breakout groups that will study specific topics with a method and purpose, to grow in knowledge and love for Jesus Christ.
Confirmands may choose to study any of the following:
- An Invitation to Chat (prayer): this workshop focuses on looking into the practice of praying and gives confirmands a better understanding of what prayer is: when, where, and how they can pray. Opportunities to lead prayers in Sunday morning worship will be available if a group or individuals desire.
- Come to the Table (Holy Communion): this workshop explores the meaning of Holy Communion and gives confirmands the opportunity to serve during Sunday morning worship.
- Feast on the Word (Bible study): this workshop helps unlock the mysteries of an ancient book with an ever-so present message applicable to daily life.
- Devotion Motion (Devotions & Meditations): this workshop looks at and practices reading devotions and meditations appropriate for youth.
The large group general session gatherings will take place in Strickland Auditorium and will include high-energy music, drama relevant to the topic being discussed, a speaker, individual church time for discussion, multi-media presentations, and youth involvement. The following church seasons will theme each of the individual sessions: Advent and prevenient grace, Lent/Good Friday and justifying grace, Easter and justifying grace, and Pentecost and sanctifying grace.
Cost for this event is $50 per person. For those outside of the South Georgia Conference the cost is $125. For more information, please contact Anne Packard at 888-266-7642.
Registration Information
Will be available at the first of 2014.
Safe Sanctuaries Compliance
Please include the following Safe Sanctuaries form with registrations. Only one form per group is needed. Click here to download the Safe Sanctuaries form.
*Must have Adobe Acrobat to download
Responsibility of Each Church
• Be responsible for all medical and insurance forms for each of your youth attending…and bring them with you!
• Don't let this be a one-stop shopping for your youth…follow up the retreat with confirmation classes, church recognition, etc.
• Take care of all “in house” management of your church group…conflict, minor medical problems, free time options, following rules, etc.
Methodist Museum Tours
Workshops
Three Simple Rules - This is a study of the General Rules that were observed by the Methodist societies of John Wesley and that are found in our United Methodist Book of Discipline. In this workshop students will explore what it means to do no harm, to do good, and to attend upon all the ordinances of God. Book of Discipline, 2008; paragraph 103.
Packing for the Journey - Before you take the first step on a journey you must pack your bags. This workshop will help students learn about things they will need on their journey of faith. Students will learn about what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus, how to grow in that relationship, and why it is important to serve others because of that relationship.
Holy Clubs
An Invitation to Chat (Prayer) - Looking into the practice of praying and a better understanding of what prayer is: when, where, and how we can pray; with the opportunity to lead prayers in Sunday morning worship if a group or individuals desire.
Come to the Table (Holy Communion) - Exploring the meaning of Holy Communion with the opportunity to serve during Sunday morning worship.
Feast on the Word (Bible Study) - Unlocking the mysteries of an ancient book with an ever-so present message applicable to our daily lives. Sharing different methods of Bible Study, and perhaps including Scripture chosen to include in morning worship.
Devotion Motion (Devotions & Meditations) - Looking at and practicing reading devotions and meditations appropriate for youth.
General Sessions
• Advent & Prevenient Grace
• Lent / Good Friday & Justifying Grace
• Easter & Justifying Grace
• Pentecost & Sanctifying Grace
What to Pack
Bedding
--pillow
Toiletries
--soap
--shampoo
--toothbrush / toothpaste
--comb / brush
--deodorant
--bath towels / washcloths
--writing materials
--sunscreen
--insect repellant
--money for snack machine & gift shop
Free Time Options (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday)
(Directions for off-campus locations will be available at Adult Orientation)
Methodist Museum Tour – see above.
Fort Frederica – admission is $5 per vehicle. Fort Frederica is where Charles Wesley came with Oglethorpe to found the town and fort. Wesley was Oglethorpe's secretary and the Anglican (Church of England) minister. When he left, John Wesley would come down from Savannah to preach.
Wesley Gardens – a 2-acre garden with a large Celtic cross at the center as a monument to the Wesley brothers (John and Charles).
Christ Church – This congregation (not the building) claims its heritage back to the congregation Charles Wesley began at Fort Frederica . Contains historic cemetery with graves of many people who settled St. Simons Island .
Pier, Lighthouse, and Village Area – Here you will find a playground, shops, Neptune Park , lighthouse and museum, putt putt golf, whale sculpture, and the beautiful surroundings of the ocean. The Visitor's Center is also located in this area.
The Beach – Public access is located at the Old Coast Guard Station.
Spending Money
Listed below are the opportunities to spend money; however, none are required.
We’ll be collecting pennies throughout the weekend to support Nothing But Nets. Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to raise awareness and funding to combat malaria, one of the largest killers of children in Africa. With a $10 contribution, Nothing But Nets provides individuals –from CEOs to youth, professional athletes to faith leaders – the opportunity to join the global fight against malaria by sending a net and saving a life. Start saving, because every penny counts!!
Epworth By The Sea Gift Shop
Snack & Coke Machines
T-shirt for the event is FREE!!
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