SOUTH GEORGIA CONFERENCE CONFIRMATION RETREATS

Confirmation Retreat 1: February 8-10
Confirmation Retreat 2: February 29-March 2

Excitement is growing as plans are well underway for BOTH of the upcoming Confirmation Retreats. Space is still limited to 500 participants per retreat. The retreats are intended for 6th graders and above. Each year this event provides students with an experience that helps them understand the grace offered through Jesus and information about the rich heritage of the United Methodist Church. The Join the Journey Confirmation Retreat is modeled after the Claim the Name curriculum and is intended to be a supplement to the ongoing training offered by local congregations. For more information, please contact Adam Ricker at (888) 266- 7642 or adam@sgaumc.com.

REGISTRATION
Registration is now closed.

COST
Cost for the event is $40 per person for South Georgia United Methodist churches. Cost for churches outside of the conference is $125 per person. If you are from outside of the conference and would like to attend call Diane Giles at 888-266-7642 for availablity. The registration fee includes a t-shirt, meals, lodging, and program costs.

METHODIST MUSEUM TOURS
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 Diane at (888) 266-7642 or, if spaces are still available, you may sign up at Adult Orientation on Friday night of the event. Space is limited to the first 200. 

CURRICULUM
The entire event will compliment Cokesbury's Claim the Name curriculum. For more information, log onto www.claimthename.com. This event is not meant to be the only confirmation your youth go through, as it should be complimentary to what your church is or will be doing. This event can be the start of your confirmation, the closing (overview), or mid-confirmation.

WORKSHOPS
•  Amazing Grace – This will go a little deeper in understanding prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace.
•  Talkin' Funny / Mumbo Jumbo - Understanding and defining the words we use as United Methodists – including Wesleyan terms, organizational terms, titles, etc. Confirmands will get a greater sense of organization and understanding of key people and terms.
•  Climbin' the Family Tree - History of United Methodism. An interactive time to discover where we came from: our predecessor groups and denominations.

HOLY CLUBS
In 1729, John Wesley formed the Holy Club, a group of individuals that did not exceed 12 in numbers. These Holy Clubs studied the Bible in such a way that others began to say they had a method to studying. Thus, the Methodists began. It is from these early Holy Clubs that our current Bible study groups have emerged. Although our classes number more then 12 individuals, they still study with a method and purpose, to grow in knowledge and love for Jesus Christ. In our Join the Journey Holy Clubs, confirmands may choose to study any of the following:
•  An Invitation to Chat (Prayer) - Looking into the practice of praying and a better understanding of what prayer is: when, where, and how we can pray; with the opportunity to lead prayers in Sunday morning worship if a group or individuals desire.
•  Come to the Table (Holy Communion) - Exploring the meaning of Holy Communion with the opportunity to serve during Sunday morning worship.
•  Feast on the Word (Bible Study) - Unlocking the mysteries of an ancient book with an ever-so present message applicable to our daily lives. Sharing different methods of Bible Study, and perhaps including Scripture chosen to include in morning worship.
•  Devotion Motion (Devotions & Meditations) - Looking at and practicing reading devotions and meditations appropriate for youth.

GENERAL SESSIONS
These large group gatherings will take place in the Strickland Auditorium and will include high-energy music – a contemporary blend of new and old, drama relevant to the topic, a speaker, individual church time for discussion of the talk, multi-media presentations, and youth involvement. The following church seasons will theme each of the individual sessions:
•  Advent & Prevenient Grace
•  Lent / Good Friday & Justifying Grace
•  Easter & Justifying Grace
•  Pentecost & Sanctifying Grace

FREE TIME OPTIONS (2:00– 5:00 SATURDAY)
(Directions for off-campus locations will be available at Adult Orientation.)
•  Methodist Museum Tour – see above.
•  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.

SPENDING MONEY
Listed below are the opportunities to spend money; however, none are required.
•  Bishop's Initiative for Children & Poverty Offering: This offering will be taken on Sunday morning to support Humble Place , a school and home for underprivileged children in Uganda , East Africa . We will collect this offering in PENNIES so start saving!
•  Epworth By The Sea Gift Shop
•  Snack & Coke Machines
•  T-shirt for the event is FREE!!

WHAT TO BRING

Clothing List
• t-shirts
• shorts (depending on weather)
• underclothes (lots & lots)
• socks
• tennis shoes
• sweatshirt(s) or light jacket
• pajamas
• raincoat or poncho
• shower shoes
• jeans

Bedding
• 1 sleeping bag (a twin-sized fitted sheet for bed under sleeping bag is recommended)
OR twin-sized sheets & blanket
• pillow

Toiletries
• shower caddy or bucket to tote toiletries
• soap
• shampoo
• toothbrush / toothpaste
• comb / brush
• deodorant
• bath towels / washcloths

Miscellaneous
• Bible / journal
• writing materials
• laundry bag
• sunscreen
• camera / film
• hat
• water bottle
• insect repellant
• spending money, if desired
• medical information to give to your counselor
• sunglasses

Please Do Not Bring
food, weapons of any sort, valuables (nice jewelry, etc.), fireworks, cd's, and cd players, skateboards

Dress Code
*no halter-tops, tube tops, “spaghetti” strap tops, or backless tops permitted