Middle School ministry is a time of making new friends, learning about the Bible and the history of God’s people, and serving others. Time is spent in large group, small group, on retreats and adventures, all the while learning about God’s work in our world. We welcome participants at any time and friends are always welcome. We look forward to learning and growing in faith together!
Welcome to Middle School Ministry!
As students walk through the journey of Middle School together, they have a chance to ask a lot of questions and find some answers. Mostly, though, they learn what it means to become life-long followers of Jesus.
Making faith your own.
The three years of Middle School are a time of preparation for Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation) when young people claim for themselves the faith in which they were baptized.
Each week students gather on Wednesdays for class which includes both large and small group time. Occasionally an entire class session will be focused on service, fellowship or worship.
Prior to class Pizza and Play is an option. Pizza is available for purchase by the slice and board games as well as a GaGa pit are available for play.
New students are welcomed to the confirmation program throughout the year.
Special opportunities for growth and fellowship.
n addition to our regular weekly gatherings during Middle School, we also offer a number of retreats and special events throughout the year. Previous special events have included the annual IOCP SleepOut, Ultimate Lock-In, Nerf Night, a summer wilderness trip, and Camp Wapo.
Affirming our faith.
The Rite of Confirmation is administered to 9th grade students who have completed the confirmation program at St. Philip the Deacon. Each student will be prayed for, participate in special services and publicly affirm their faith.
The Rite of Confirmation consists of four events:
1. Student Rehearsal/Parent Meeting
The students meet for rehearsal and have their photos taken. During that time the parents will meet for an overview of upcoming confirmation related events.
2. The Blessing of the Confirmands
The Blessing of the confirmands takes place the weekend prior to the service of Confirmation on the Baptism of Jesus weekend during worship. Students attend their normal worship service. The students are blessed and prayed for in anticipation of their upcoming step of faith.
3. The Celebration of Passage
The Celebration of Passage is a special service that is just for confirmation students, their parents and prayer partners. It takes place at church during the week between the Blessing of the confirmands and the Rite of Confirmation. This service is a highlight for many students and families as students are reminded how deeply they are loved.
Parents have the opportunity to choose the prayer partner for their student, if there is someone special in the life of the child—a grandparent, godparent, aunt, uncle, coach, confirmation guide, etc.—they may be asked to be the student’s prayer partner. Otherwise, we have many people within the congregation who would consider it a privilege to be a prayer partner for a confirmation student.
4. Rite of Confirmation Worship Service
This is the official Rite of Confirmation worship service. Families, Godparents and friends are all welcome to gather for this special celebration of our ninth graders as they affirm the faith into which they were baptized.