Register for Confirmation – 2026-2027
See below for more Confirmation links and information.
What is Confirmation?
- Confirmation has been around in Lutheran Churches for a long time, but it is important for us to stop and think about what it is before we begin. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has said: “Confirmation ministry is a pastoral and education ministry of the church which helps the baptized person through Word and Sacrament to identify more deeply with the Christian community and participate more fully in its mission.”
ELC Confirmation Journey:
Acolyte Schedule: (6th, 7th, 8th and 9th graders)
At church, we begin having our youth involved with serving as an acolyte during our worship services. This is a great way to be more deeply involved with our community of faith. To help with acolyting, we offer acolyte training during our Sunday School hour. All sixth graders are invited October 4, 2026 at 10:15 am (meet in chapel), to be instructed on how to serve as an acolyte during worship. They will continue to acolyte during their 7th – 8th grade (Confirmation) as well. Attached is our acolyting schedule for this year. If your child is unable to serve on a given Sunday, please find their own replacement and inform the office of any changes. Office number is 608.437.5012.
Sixth Grade (Pre-Confirmation): Youth will meet weekly on Wednesdays, 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm, March 31 – April 28, 2027. These gatherings are intended to enhance our Confirmation experience. Students will share in fellowship, have fun, and review Bible stories.
7th & 8th Grade (ELC’s Confirmation Program): Youth meet on Wednesday nights beginning on September 23, 2026 from 7-8:30 p.m. Classes are led by Pastor Karen Hofstad and our Youth Ministry Director Brenda Martin, with help from parent group leaders and other volunteers. The class continues to meet through their eighth-grade year.
This year:
- We are going to study the Lord’s Prayer, Ten Commandments and Martin Luther’s explanations as found in the Small Catechism
- We are going to learn through our actions as well as through worship and doing acts of service for others.
- You will have the chance to talk about what you are learning about your faith at home with your parents and at church with your pastor, teachers, and each other.
- You are going to spend time enjoying the fellowship, friendship, and the joy of being part of a family of faith.
- It is our goal that at the end of all these classes you will stand before the church and make a statement of faith that is meaningful for you.
9th Grade: Our youth are confirmed the last Sunday in October at the beginning of their ninth-grade year. During the fall, the youth complete their Statement of Faith projects. This year, Affirmation of Baptism will be held on Reformation Sunday. Details about our gatherings this fall are below in the “Preparing for Confirmation Day” link.
CONFIRMATION KICKOFF — 7TH, 8TH & 9TH GRADERS Wednesday, September 9, 2026 from 6:30–7:30 PM Our 7th, 8th, and 9th grade Confirmation students will kick off the year together with a fun Goose Chase Game, snacks, and tie-dyeing a backpack! We also will be loading the quilts and baby kits as well into a trailer to be delivered to Madison for Lutheran World Relief kits.
7th & 8th GRADE CONFIRMATION POTLUCK – September 16, 2026 from 6:30 pm – 7:30pm. Potluck for 7th and 8th graders for youth and parents. Please bring a dish: 7th grade -Side Dish or Dessert; 8th grade -Main Dish. Welcome to invite friends to join us for confirmation.
CONFIRMATION TO BETHEL HORIZONS
(ADVENTURE COURSES) – Our Confirmation youth, 7th, 8th and 9th graders, will be participating in an adventure ropes course on September 12, 10 am – 3 pm. We will meet at the ELC parking lot at 9:15 am. Guides are needed too. Looking forward to a great day experiencing the ropes courses together.
Important attachments:
7th & 8th Graders:
Digital Worship Notes – (Google Forms)
Confirmation Schedule 2026 – 2027
2026 – 2027 Confirmation Notes & Expectations
REGISTER ONLINE:
TO REGISTER FOR CONFIRMATION 2026-2027 – 7th & 8th graders, please use the link below.
9th Graders:
Preparing for Confirmation Day 2026
To learn more about the confirmation program, contact Youth Ministries Director Brenda Martin at brenda.martin@elcmthoreb.org.
