At Manchester UMC, Confirmation provides an opportunity for seventh and eith graders to explore the Christian faith alongside other youth in a fun, relevant and engaging way. Our focus is on helping each young person learn about God’s unconditional love and amazing grace through experience and conversation.
At the end of this journey, youth will have an opportunity to profess their own faith in Jesus Christ and be confirmed as new members of Manchester UMC. We believe Confirmation is not a destination, but more like a way station where youth have an opportunity to take personal ownership of the faith journey they have been traveling since their baptism. While we hope every youth will make the decision to profess their faith and be confirmed, there is no pressure or requirement to do so.
Click HERE to register for Confirmation 2025-26! The deadline to register is August 13, 2025.
Important program information
Confirmation is open to youth in 7th and 8th grades who are interested in exploring the Christian faith in a fun and experiential way.
Confirmation Schedule 2025-26
Events in blue indicate parent participation.
Parent/Youth Orientation, Small Group Introductions, Bible Sunday, and Acolyte Training
Sunday, August 24 9a-1p
Manchester UMC
9a Orientation: Parents and youth together will learn about the program and expectations.
10a Small Group Orientation: Youth will meet with their small group leaders for introductory activities. Parents will gather separately for a Meet and Greet.
11a Bible Sunday: Youth will receive their Bibles during a ceremony in the worship service.
12p Pizza Lunch
12:15p Acolyte Training: Youth will learn how to acolyte. Parents will hang out and play games! (4 sessions)
Youth September Fellowship Event
Sunday, September 14 6-8p
Manchester UMC
Confirmands will continue to get to know and build relationships with other youth in the larger Manchester Youth program. (1 session)
Prayer
Wednesday, September 24 6:30-7:45p
Youth Center
Confirmands will join other youth at Middle School Meet-Up to learn about The Lord’s Prayer, the theology of prayer, and how to pray. (1 session)
Manchester UMC All Church Fall Event
October 11 5-8p
North Parking Lot
Confirmands and their families will be in fellowship with the rest of the congregation. (1 session)
Bible Essentials
October 22, 6:30-7:45p
Youth Center
Confirmands will join other youth at Middle School Meet-Up to learn how the Bible came to be and how to read it as United Methodists. (1 session)
Middle School Retreat
November 7-9 (Friday night to Sunday morning)
Off-Site – Camp Moval
Confirmands will join the rest of the youth and learn about the Trinity and the Holy Spirit. This activity is essential for bonding and forming connections that will endure past Confirmation. (4 sessions)
Missions
Sunday, November 23 2-5:30p
Circle of Concern and Church
Confirmands will go to Circle of Concern for a tour and to learn about what they do. They will then have a discussion in family groups about the theology and practice of missions and then complete a mission project at the church. (3 sessions)
Faith Exploration Weekend
December 5-6 (Friday night – Saturday evening)
Church and off-site
Confirmands will visit the United Hebrew Congregation, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Islamic Foundation, get a tour of Manchester UMC, and learn about the United Methodist Church history, structure, staff, and Social Principles. This is an overnight at church and it has play time and discussion time built in. (4 sessions)
Sacraments, Vows, and Theodicy
Sunday, January 4 9a – 12p
Youth Center
Confirmands will learn and discuss the two United Methodist Sacraments, baptism and communion, and the Vows they will eventually take to confirm their baptism, profess their faith in Christ, and join Manchester UMC. They will take Communion at the 11:00 worship service. In addition, they will learn about theodicy, or why bad things happen in a world with a good God. (3 sessions)
Middle School Lazer Tag Lock-In
January 23-24 (Friday night to Saturday morning) 8p – 9a
Church and The Edge (location subject to change)
Confirmands will join with the rest of the middle school youth for this beloved Manchester Youth annual tradition. (1 session)
Ash Wednesday
February 18 6:30-8p or 7:00-8:30p (time is set by pastors closer to the date)
Sanctuary and Youth Center
Confirmands and families attend the Ash Wednesday worship service together. After the service, youth and families will split for separate discussions. (1 session)
FAMILY GROUP PICTURES will be taken this night.
Night at the Bistro
February 26, 27, or 28 (evening – time varies based on role)
Manchester UMC
Confirmands will experience the joy of service and be a part of making our once yearly fundraiser a success. Parents are strongly encouraged to purchase a seat, a table, or serve in an adult volunteer role. (1 session)
Apostle’s Creed
March 11 6:30-7:45p
Youth Center
Youth will join Middle School Meet-Up for a discussion about the Apostle’s Creed. (1 session)
Decision Day
March 29 1p-6:15p
Youth Center
Confirmands will learn that God is an active person in their lives who desires relationship. They will hear from an adult in recovery who has leaned on God to help them survive and recover from addiction. They will also work on their Statement of Faith and discern, with help from their Director and their leaders, if they are ready to take the step of Confirmation. (3 sessions)
Confirmation Ceremony
April 12 9a-11a OR 10a-12p
Manchester UMC
Youth can choose to be confirmed at either 9:00 or 11:00 am. We will take individual, family, and group pictures in between the services.
It is our goal that after being confirmed at Manchester UMC, your youth will have:
- A stronger connection to other Christian youth
- An expanded world view plus compassion for others
- A better understanding of their own values and beliefs
- A faith deeply rooted in the love and grace of Jesus Christ
- A desire to become an informed church member
Confirmands are expected to attend every meeting for Confirmation. The schedule for the year is below. If they miss a meeting, make-up work is required. Make-up work can be viewed at the link below. Confirmands can miss up to five sessions, and some meetings will be more than one session. (See schedule for details.) Because this a very experiential program, any youth who misses 6 or more sessions will need to postpone their Confirmation and enroll in the next program year. (Sessions missed due to illness will not count as a miss, but make-up work will still be required.)
Confirmands are expected to participate in the following programs before Confirmation Day on May 19. They can choose any days that work for them. Parents will need to verify these were completed. This requirement served the purpose of helping youth find they program they can plug into once Confirmation is completed. While the minimum is listed, the more they can get there, the more they will connect and get a feel for the best fit.
Attend 5 worship services (4p, 9a, or 11a)
Attend 5 Sunday Squads (9a OR 11a)
Attend 2 Middle School Meet-Ups (in addition to the three on the schedule)
Serve in worship 4 times
The easiest way to do this is to sign up for the Sunday Service Team. On the first Sunday of the month, youth will volunteer on a Sunday morning in a capacity they feel called. This coiuld be acolyting, lay reading, ushering, serving donuts, etc. More details about this program will be coming soon.
The program fee for this year’s Confirmation program is $150 per person due at registration. The program fee covers materials, supplies, t-shirt, Bible, travel expenses and more.
This program is also supported financially by Manchester UMC. Half and full scholarships are available and may be selected on the payment page at registration. There are no requirements or additional forms for scholarships. Anyone who selects a scholarship will receive one.
