What is Confirmation Ministry at SOTV?  

Growing Faith, Gifts, and Service

Confirmation is a highly-relational faith formation program for students in grades 6 – 9. This program is designed to help students name and grow their unique, God-given gifts, with the invitation to use those gifts for service in the church and in the world. At baptism, parents and sponsors said, “Yes, God!” on the child’s behalf. Confirmation is the opportunity for a young person to grow, question, and explore so they may make the decision to take ownership of their faith and continue to say, “Yes, God!”

Confirmation runs September – May, with registration beginning in June. New students are welcome to join at any time throughout the year or at any point in Grades 6 – 9. Shepherd of the Valley is committed to welcoming people of all abilities and working to understand and meet the needs of our congregation. If your child needs an accommodation, modification, or assistance to fully participate in this event, please indicate this in the “Health Concern Explanation” field of your registration, and your program leader will follow up if there are questions. We may not be able to meet all requests at this time.

Register for 2024-25 Program Year

Confirmation Overview

We offer the following options for 6th – 8th Grade Confirmation. 

Weekly Programs: Wednesdays at 4:30 pm, 5:45 pm, or 7:00 pm.
  • Class time will be half in large group half in small groups (8-10 students, 1 leader).
  • Students will experience a mix of large group teaching led by SOTV staff (Video, presenters, etc.) and small group time led by volunteer leaders.
  • Programs will be 60 minutes.
  • We will have pizza available for purchase.
  • The year starts September 20 with a parent night and the kickoff to programing.

Confirmation Service Track:
  • Service Track will allow youth to experience different types of service projects and be able to reflect on their service within small group. Service track will meet 2 times a month. One of the meetings will the service project which will alternate between being at church and off-site. The other meeting will be the small group meeting at the church. This meeting is to focus on scripture within the Bible to cover important aspects of serving including leadership, compassion, vocation, and servanthood. Along with discussion around scripture, the small group will have time to reflect on service projects they are partaking in.
  • Students will meet twice each month beginning with an introductory meeting on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 1:00 pm

Questions? Contact Marissa Bachtel, Middle School Ministry Director
We offer the following options for 9th Grade Confirmation.

  • 9th Grade Confirmation: Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
    Students will experience large group teachings, guest speakers, and worship, as well as small group time where faith conversations and prayer occur. Small groups are led by both adult and high school student ministers.

  • Confirmation Service Track:
    Service Track will allow youth to experience different types of service projects and be able to reflect on their service within small group. Service track will meet 2 times a month. One of the meetings will the service project which will alternate between being at church and off-site. The other meeting will be the small group meeting at the church. This meeting is to focus on scripture within the Bible to cover important aspects of serving including leadership, compassion, vocation, and servanthood. Along with discussion around scripture, the small group will have time to reflect on service projects they are partaking in.

Students will meet twice each month beginning with an introductory meeting on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 1:00 pm

What if I haven’t been in Confirmation before?

The Confirmation year kicks off in September, but we welcome youth to start in any grade and at any point during the school year. If you are concerned about “catching up” on whatever you may have missed, talk with Kelsey or Rose.

How do I join a 9th Grade small group?

After you register you will be assigned to a small group with a volunteer leader. You are able to make a request to be placed with a friend, and SOTV staff will do their best to honor that request, based on when your registration is received and space availability.

How much does 9th Grade Confirmation cost?

The registration fee is $85 and scholarships are available.

Questions? Contact Rose Bentley, Youth Ministry Director

Confirmation Service Track meets twice each month beginning with an introductory meeting on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 1:00 pm.

Service Track will allow youth to experience different types of service projects and be able to reflect on their service within small group. Service track will meet 2 times a month. One of the meetings will the service project which will alternate between being at church and off-site. The other meeting will be the small group meeting at the church. This meeting is to focus on scripture within the Bible to cover important aspects of serving including leadership, compassion, vocation, and servanthood. Along with discussion around scripture, the small group will have time to reflect on service projects they are partaking in.

Questions? Contact Rose Bentley, Youth Ministry Director

What to Expect

Volunteers

Because our groups are led by amazing volunteers, we limit the number of students per group and groups per hour for the safety and enjoyment of all in our programs. Occasionally, a program hour may reach capacity and additional spaces cannot be opened. In this event, we will contact any families remaining on the waitlist for that hour to move them to an additional program time.

Volunteers of all ages and abilities make it possible to host HUNDREDS of students throughout the school year at SOTV! We’d love to have you join this amazing team and experience the joy of working together, sharing your faith, or giving a gift of your time, skills, or talents.

Volunteer Registration for 2024-25 Program Year

Photo & Video Notice for Confirmation

We intend to take photos and/or video during Confirmation, which may appear in worship, social media, website, or congregational communication without names listed. If you have a concern about this, please email Kelsey Young.

email Kelsey Young