Confirmation Retreat is a ‘joyful thing’
By Suzanne Akins
In today's fast-paced world, it's increasingly difficult for young people to carve out moments, especially entire weekends, of worship, study and fellowship with others amidst the daily grind of just being a teenager.
Since 2002, hundreds of middle schoolers have flocked to the beautiful grounds of Epworth By The Sea each spring for the Confirmation Retreat. It’s become a respite from the chaos of daily life, as confirmands join others their age who are walking the same faith journey.
Even the occasional rain showers and relentless sand gnats couldn’t keep confirmands from enjoying this much-anticipated time to get away and connect with Christ and one another at this year's retreat held March 1-3, 2024.
“It was the first time at Epworth for two of our students, and they were ready to stay a couple extra days,” said Rev. Josh Bizzell, senior pastor at Byron United Methodist Church.
Friendships naturally happen during the retreat setting, and seeing these bonds strengthened by shared experiences is the beauty of the connection, leaders said.
“For me, it is always fun to reconnect with other leaders year to year,” said Reese McCurry, Children’s Minister at Vineville United Methodist Church in Macon. “One of the things I love most, though, is watching our group become even closer with each other as well as making new friendships. For the last two years, a few of our confirmands have remained in touch with someone they met at the Confirmation Retreat. I love that the connectional part of our church brought these students together, and their friendships are still going strong.”
Gathering to worship, learn, and play together during the March 1-3 retreat helped youth respond to the grace of God in their lives and live as people of faith.
The worship sessions provided confirmands with the chance to hear from various speakers on prevenient grace, justifying grace, and sanctifying grace. Mrs. Anne Bosarge from Connectional Ministries, Rev. J. Michael Culbreth from ConneXion Church, Rev. Lynn Meadows-White from The Methodist Home, and Bishop David Graves shared personal testimonies of God’s saving grace. Rev. Trevor Ward, associate pastor at Tifton First United Methodist Church, along with a dynamic group of students, led the music with a creative blend of contemporary and traditional songs.
“My other favorite part of the retreat is watching the confirmands in worship, swaying and holding each other as they sing and offer praise together,” said McCurry. “When they come home and are still singing along to the worship songs of the weekend, you know an imprint has been made, and that is a joyful thing!”
Even the educational side of the retreat was disguised as fast-paced fun.
During the day, confirmands engaged in different workshops. They learned about John Wesley’s 3 Simple Rules through the creative lens of an escape room. In another workshop, confirmands rotated in 10 minute mini-sessions around topics like prayer, community, bible study and service, learning all about what to “pack” for this faith journey.
Racing across the Epworth campus, church groups competed in a scavenger hunt, the Amazing (G)Race, using clues to find historical markers and places, all to end up with the pride of victory and a prize bag of s’more ingredients.
Meeting in Holy Clubs each evening, confirmands debriefed the day and engaged in discussions specific to their age group. Using John Wesley’s class meeting questions to reflect on their life as a follower of Jesus, leaders used this time to listen and encourage each of their students.
As the retreat drew to a close, Bishop Graves gave the challenge from Matthew 28 to “go and make disciples” imploring confirmands to share the good news of Jesus Christ with their friends, family and community. Referring to them as “the church leaders of today,” Bishop Graves closed the retreat with a special communion service.
“The chaos at our [communion] station surprised me, but I loved it!” said Rev. Bizzell. “It was like the kids couldn’t come to the table fast enough. If only our adults felt that way in church, too!”
Bizzell, McCurry and other leaders bring students to the Confirmation Retreat every year, and they, along with their confirmands, look forward to future events.
“We all had a wonderful time and our youth truly enjoyed the retreat,” said Rev. Mark Magoni, pastor of Martha Bowman Memorial United Methodist Church. “They learned a lot and built community among themselves. We plan to bring our Confirmation classes each year!”
View photos from this year's retreat.
The Confirmation Retreat is sponsored by the Office of Connectional Ministries. Suzanne Akins is the Director of Camping and Retreat Ministries for the South Georgia Conference. She can be reached at suzanne@sgaumc.com.