Ministry for middle school youth is centered around our Confirmands in Action ministry, or CIA. When a child is baptized, parents and sponsors make promises on behalf of the child. As an adolescent, the baptized child is called upon to publicly affirm the promises made on his or her behalf. CIA is the name of the intentional ministry that takes adolescents on a journey of faith exploration and its relevancy to prepare them for publicly affirming their baptisms. At Epiphany, CIA is three-year process, with persons entering into confirmation concurrent with beginning the 6^th grade in school and being confirmed at the end of their 8^th grade year. CIA meets during the school year.

The mission of CIA is to assist the baptized child to identity more fully with the church and participate more deeply in our mission. The model used at Epiphany was developed by our Pastor Rick when he served in Colorado, and it has won local and national acclaim for excellence in youth ministry. CIA is not an academic approach, but rather seeks transformation through experience and relevant encounters with the scriptures, the calling of the church, and the role of disciples in today’s world. The materials are authored by Pastor Rick. Under his leadership, the youth are shepherded by teams of adults "asset-builders" who work with the youth in small group formats. The process includes a number of intentional Sunday afternoon discipleship formation sessions (about 14 each school year), weekend retreats, a week at summer camp, service to the church and world, pastoral conferences, and a full menu of fun activities under the name “MidLites.” 

Anticipated outcomes of CIA ministry

CIA Calendar 2011-12

 CIA MidTerm Gathering
Tuesday, January 17, 7 PM

CIA youth and at least one parent should attend this important gathering. We'll discuss the second term of our Discipleship Formation sessions, Confirmation, our Spring retreat and plans for the awesome week at Lutherock for Confirmation Camp.

5th Grade Gathering for
Summer Camp Info
Wednesday, February 8, 6 PM

Fifth graders and their parents will gather with Pastor Rick during our community meal to learn about this year's Confirmation Camp at Lutherock, set for June 10 - 16. Add the camp dates to your calendar now, and plan to gather on February 8th to learn more. This is the official beginning of CIA for the  2012-13 year and a critical part of our formation experience.

Confirmands in Action will travel to Lutheridge for the Spring 2012 Retreat, April 27 - 29. Registtration forms are due in the church office by March 11. Payment of $125 for the retreat is due by April 8.

Click on the links below to access the forms.

CIA Spring Retreat 2012 Registration

CIA Spring Retreat Permission/Activity Consent

On Sunday mornings during the school year, our middle school youth meet for fellowship and formation with CIA guides. These adult asset-builders facilitate small group discussion centered on a Gospel text. Youth engage in the Scripture and together discover what the text is saying to them right here, right now in their daily lives.

Youth gather on Sundays at 9:45 a.m.

Confirmation Retreat, Lutherock
June 10 - 16

In June, Epiphany middle school youth will travel to Lutherock, the ELCA's outdoor ministry facility in North Carolina, for a week of Confirmation Camp. More information will be shared about the camp at the CIA Mid-Term Gathering for Youth and Parents on Tuesday, January 17, at 7 p.m. in the worship center.

AFFIRM, Berry College
June 17 - 22

Affirm is an event of faith, fellowship, and friends sponsored by the ELCA Southeastern Synod. Affirm is for youth in grades 6 - 12, as well as for college freshmen and sophomores. Grounded in scripture, Affirm offers youth the opportunity to develop discipleship and leadership skills.

For further information, check out the ELCA Youth Ministry News.

For a full calendar of this year's MidLites events, click here.

Youth Ski Trip 2012
Rescheduled for February 18 - 20

Reservations have reopened for Epiphany's annual Youth Ski Trip! Youth. Because of the warm weather, the trip has been postponed to February. The ski group will depart Saturday morning, February 18, and return Monday afternoon, February 20.  Youth middle school age and older can participate.

Overnight accommodations are at Lutheridge Saturday and Sunday nights. You'll ski the slopes at Wolf Ridge Ski Resort in western North Carolina. You can be on the slopes Saturday, Sunday, or both days, and you may choose to ski or snowboard. 

Click here to download the Reservation Form. Costs vary depending on whether you ski or snowboard and whether you're on the slopes one day or two. Package options include lift tickts, ski or snowboard rental, free lessons, overnight accommodations, and lunch on the slopes. 

Space is limited! Reservations are first come, first served based on when form and payment is received. Reservations must be received by February 10.In addition to the Reservation Form, an updated Medical Release form must be on file in the church office and an Activity Consent Form must be completed (to be available soon). 

For questions, contact trip coordinator Paula Atkins, midlites@epiphanysuwanee.org.