Designed for students in the fifth grade and above, the “Join the Journey” Confirmation Retreat will provide churches of all sizes an opportunity to connect with others through worship, study, and fellowship. The event will also include large group gatherings around the church seasons and breakout sessions with topics of grace, United Methodist History and United Methodist lingo as well as Holy Clubs throughout the weekend.
Not meant to be the only confirmation youth go through, the Confirmation Retreat should be complementary to what a church is or will be doing.
For more information, please contact Event Coordinator Suzanne Akins at suzanne@sgaumc.com or (912) 638-8626 ext 107.
Registration Information
Registration is OPEN. South Georgia UM church early registration began December 3, 2018. Registration for all other churches opens January 14, 2019. Deadline is February 11, 2019.
Payment is required at time of registration in order to be complete. Registrations received without payment will be considered PENDING and payment must be received within 7 days or registration will be dropped. Space is limited to the first 500 complete registrations and this event does fill up each year.
Church Leaders: Click here if you need a form to hand out to gather your student's and chaperone's information. This is not a registration form. Only online registration is accepted.
CANCELLATION 2 weeks before retreat's opening day = Total refund less $35.00. Within 1 week of retreat's opening day = No refund. Due to illness prior to retreat's opening day = Total refund less $35.00. Fees may be transferred to a NEW REPLACEMENT confirmand/chaperone of the same gender if the event coordinator is notified prior to the first day of the retreat.
Safe Sanctuaries Compliance
JOIN THE JOURNEY CONFIRMATION RETREAT is a Safe Sanctuaries compliant event. Click here to download the Safe Sanctuaries form. Only one form per church group is needed and this can be turned in at registration. Counselors must be 21 or older with a 1:6 ratio for counselor/youth. Both male and female counselors must be in attendance if both genders are represented with students.
Responsibility of Each Church
An Adult Leader's Guide will be provided at check-in as a resource for each church leader attending the retreat.
• Be responsible for all medical and insurance forms for each of your youth attending - and bring them with you!
• Don't let this be a one-stop shopping for your youth - follow up the retreat with confirmation classes, church recognition, etc.
- Confirm (formerly Credo)
- Making Disciples
General Sessions
Throughout the weekend, Confirmands will experience the liturgical seasons through music, teaching, videos and communion as they gather together four times as a large group. This high-energy, worshipful and interactive time will be yet another opportunity to learn more about Christ and His Church. Dynamic clergy from around the South Georgia Conference will share about God's work in their own lives and His desire for each of us as God's children.
Themes:
Friday Night: Advent & Prevenient Grace
Saturday Morning: Lent/Easter & Justifying Grace
Saturday Evening: Pentecost & Sanctifying Grace
Sunday Morning: Closing Worship, Communion & Send-off
Workshops
Three Simple Rules - This is a study of the General Rules that were observed by the Methodist societies of John Wesley and that are found in our United Methodist Book of Discipline. In this workshop students will explore what it means to do no harm, to do good, and to attend upon all the ordinances of God. Book of Discipline, 2008; paragraph 103.
Packing for the Journey - Before you take the first step on a journey you must pack your bags. This workshop will help students learn about things they will need on their journey of faith. Students will learn about what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus, how to grow in that relationship, and why it is important to serve others because of that relationship.
Holy Clubs
While John Wesley met with like-minded friends for prayer, Bible study, mutual accountability and good works, our own church groups will meet together for the same thing. Choose any location around campus, and questions will be provided.
A Holy Mystery
A large group spotlight on Holy Communion will give confirmands a deeper understanding of this rich, timeless sacrament, answering the who, what, where, when and why questions about The Lord's Supper.
Amazing (G)Race
Scattered around the campus of Epworth By The Sea are many an unknown fact of our United Methodist history. First team to complete this late-night competition at the final destination wins!
Offering
The 2017 and 2018 Confirmation Retreat Offerings went towards the South Georgia Conference Disaster Response fund to build our capacity to respond to disasters now and in the future.
The 2019 Offering is TBD.
Use this opportunity to teach and encourage your confirmands about giving as an act of worship.
ACCOMMODATIONS
COST
The cost is $60 per person for South Georgia UM churches and $135 per person for out-of-conference churches. This includes lodging, meals, programming, insurance and a t-shirt.
SCHEDULE (previous year's schedule as sample - subject to change)
Friday, March 1st
6:00 PM Check-in begins (Office of Connectional Ministries)
6:00 - 7:00 PM Supper Line Open
7:30 PM Adult Orientation (Lovely Lane)
8:00 PM Opening Worship (Strickland Auditorium)
9:30 PM Holy Clubs
10:30 PM In Cabins / Lights Out
Saturday, March 2nd
7:00 AM Breakfast Line Opens
8:30 AM Worship (Strickland Auditorium)
10:00 AM Workshop #1
11:00 AM Workshop #2
12:00 PM Cookout Under the Oaks
1:00 PM Workshop #3
2:00 - 4:00 PM Free Time (see below for options)
4:30 PM A Holy Mystery (Strickland)
5:30 - 6:45 PM Supper
7:00 PM Worship (Strickland)
8:30 PM Holy Clubs
9:30 PM The Amazing (G)Race
10:30 PM In Cabins / Lights Out
Sunday, March 3rd
7:45 AM Breakfast Line Open
8:30 - 9:45 AM Mission Spotlight (Brown) - 2 groups
10:00 AM Closing Worship & Communion (Strickland)
11:15 AM Lunch / Depart
FREE TIME OPTIONS (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday)
- Methodist Museum Tour – Because a tour of the Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum is not included in the schedule, churches will have the opportunity to sign up for 30-minute tours for 40 people each offered during free time on Saturday. You may sign your church up by calling the museum at (912) 638-4050.
- Fort Frederica – admission is $5 per vehicle. Fort Frederica is where Charles Wesley came with Oglethorpe to found the town and fort. Wesley was Oglethorpe's secretary and the Anglican (Church of England) minister. When he left, John Wesley would come down from Savannah to preach.
- Wesley Gardens – a 2-acre garden with a large Celtic cross at the center as a monument to the Wesley brothers (John and Charles).
- Christ Church – This congregation (not the building) claims its heritage back to the congregation Charles Wesley began at Fort Frederica. Contains historic cemetery with graves of many people who settled St. Simons Island .
- Pier, Lighthouse, and Village Area – Here you will find a playground, shops, Neptune Park, lighthouse and museum, putt putt golf, whale sculpture, and the beautiful surroundings of the ocean. The Visitor's Center is also located in this area.
- The Beach – Public access is located at the Old Coast Guard Station.
