Event

Zoom Confirmation 2026

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Event Summary:

Synod-wide Zoom Confirmation is a free, two-year rotating program for 6th–12th graders across the Nebraska Synod (membership in an ELCA congregation not required). Students gather on Zoom the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, September through April, for engaging, interactive learning on Lutheran faith basics in Year 1 and sacraments and living out faith in Year 2. Optional in-person retreats and day events help youth build friendships and deepen their faith, with resources and support provided for congregations and adult leaders.

What to Expect:

Our Synod Confirmation is designed for 6th through 12th graders and is designed to be a two-year rotating program, so students may join at the beginning of any year and be able to jump right in. They are not required to be members of an ELCA congregation. If they wish to learn more about their faith with other students throughout the region, we are more than glad to have them be a part of our group!

We will host two non-mandatory gatherings throughout the year. Again, while these are NOT mandatory, we do very much invite and encourage the students to join if they are able. The opportunities for in-person connections are very important to help students bond with one another and create significant memories.

Our group will meet on Zoom twice a month September-April on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month except for November and December due to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Adult volunteer/leader training for adults who have youth from their congregation participating in the program (on zoom): August 19, 7:oo pm Central.

First Class: September 9th, 7:00-8:30 pm Central

The other two weeks of the month, congregations are encouraged to have youth engage in community or congregational activities (volunteer at a pantry, sing in the church choir etc.) or meet in person with other nearby congregations who are also part of the cohort for fellowship and faith formation on your own. (Resources are provided for the “off weeks”). You can also simply recognize that youth and families are busy and truly have the two weeks when there is no class as off weeks.

Year 1: Lutheran roots, by grace through faith, the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer

Year 2: The sacraments, the 5 Baptismal promises and living out our faith

A Typical Class:

7:00 pm Connecting Question

Opening prayer

Connecting Activity (a way to get to know others on the screen)

7:15 pm: Learning time: “meat of the lesson” taught in a way that engages all who are on the screens (dialogue, q and a, short video clips, breakout rooms for conversation etc.)

8:15 pm: prayer concerns, announcements, and closing

Gathering 1: Middle School Retreat at Carol Joy Holling Camp, November 7-9, 2026. Come join other youth from across the state for faith formation, fellowship, and fun. We’ll spend some time in our small group as our zoom confirmation cohort and time as a large group with other youth.

Gathering 2: March 2027 day event, location TBD

Who Leads Zoom Confirmation?

Synod staff will lead sessions in September and October. Youth leaders, volunteers, and pastors whose congregations are participating are invited to teach for a month (2 weeks) in January, February, March, and April. (Teaching for a month is encouraged but not required for participation. If you don’t have the bandwidth or feel called to teach, you and your youth are still welcome and invited to be a part of the program). If you are willing to teach, there is a curriculum provided by the Synod for each month, though you may also adapt with your own activities to meet the month’s theme.

Each congregation that has youth participating is asked to identify one adult contact for the congregation. This person does not need be present at each class but will serve as the connecting point for the synod and will pass on information about classes and the program.

Cost:

This is supported through the dollars that congregations send in (your mission share dollars at work) and it is a work of the synod. There is a charge for in-person events, but the zoom confirmation program itself is free for you and your youth thanks to the generosity of our congregations and your mission share dollars.

Pre-Registration for your congregation (or for individual youth) is required and all adults’ volunteers/leaders who are participating are required to complete Safe Gatherings Certification.

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