Affirmation of Baptism 
& Its Purpose

Preparation for affirming baptism is a time, in keeping with our Lutheran tradition, when we help young people experience the Christian faith through worship, teaching, and building relationships with the faith community, the local church. This often begins in the 7th grade. This time of intentional community and faith formation builds to the service of Affirmation of Baptism and entry into adult membership. Each young person affirms his or her faith in Jesus Christ and their intent for continued service.

Our program is designed to involve youth in exciting and challenging interaction with each other and adults, by speaking to issues that are relevant to their lives while assuring that biblical, distinctively Lutheran, concepts and doctrines are learned.

In order to make this faith forming [discipling] process both an enjoyable and worthwhile experience, we will seek to:
  • Encourage young people to be in a “head-and-heart” relationship with Jesus Christ, which invites them to affirm their faith
  • Develop relationships that will help to A) Nurture the student’s faith and B) Involve parents and build relationships among the students by using small groups involving adults, high school mentors, and their peers
  • Balance a healthy emphasis on relationships and experiential learning through community, while applying age-appropriate biblical, catechetical and life application content
Everything in our program, in terms of requirements, recommendations, and curriculum, has been carefully chosen with these goals in mind.
“As you bring your children to receive the gift of baptism, 
you are entrusted with responsibilities: 
to live with them among God's faithful people, 
bring them to the word of God and the holy supper, 
teach them the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, 
and the Ten Commandments, 
place in their hands the holy scriptures, 
and nurture them in faith and prayer, so that 
your children may learn to trust God, 
proclaim Christ through word and deed, 
care for others and the world God made, 
and work for justice and peace. 
Do you promise to help your children grow 
in the Christian faith and life?” 
(“Holy Baptism”, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 228)

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7th Grade Retreat 2015
RETREATS & SUMMER CAMP

Retreats and camps are a vital aspect of the discipleship process, providing youth with the chance to grow spiritually and relationally and helping them apply what they are learning. 

The retreats and camps for the 2019-2020 year:

The ZOE Community Retreat in the fall.
[October 18-20, 2019] 

In early spring, the 8th grade goes on a Culture and Faith overnight retreat.
[March 20-21, 2020] 
​

Middle School Summer Camp 
[July 2020 at Lutherhaven]

High School Winter Retreat January 24, 2020 – 9th Grade Students are asked to attend as part of the Affirmation process