CAT CLASS STUDENT PAGE
Here you will find all the information needed for CAT class students to engage the weekly topics, and participate in the class. Please check back often for updates and announcements.
Pastor Rich is the primary teacher.
You can reach him by email: pastor@saintjohnss.com
or, by phone or text: 610-401-5602
What is confirmation?
and
Why do we need it?
Confirmation was a rite of passage from baptized child to adult member of the church, and Catechism class was the path that Lutheran youth had to take to get there. At that time, only confirmed adult members of the congregation were permitted to receive Holy Communion. The practical result was that confirmation became viewed as a requirement of God to receive God's gift of Holy Communion. About 40 years ago we Lutherans took a closer look at Scripture and tradition and realized how incongruent this practice had become with the principles and values of our Church.
Now, all the baptized are welcome to Holy Communion, and children are valued for their contribution to the Church simply as children, not adults in waiting. Confirmation is now understood as an Affirmation of Baptism at a very important time in the development of faith in a young person. It has been said that puberty is God's way of encouraging children to reach beyond themselves, embrace their true identities, and explore independence--all God's gifts. While their bodies, minds and worlds are rapidly changing, it is a formative time for the maturation of faith. Catechism students learn from the bible and Lutheran theology how to think critically about principles and values of faith. At the end, with a rite of Confirmation, they get to publicly claim for themselves that they will live out the promises made for them by their parents and sponsors in their baptism. The time spent in confirmation classes are intended to continue, more intentionally, the exploration of faith, life, and the church so that students can make that affirmation of baptism a public declaration of their hope and trust that God will continue to lead and guide them in all the aspects of their lives now and in the future.
Weekly Classes
CAT classes are held each week during the Christian Education time on Sunday mornings.
Each week, Pastor Rich will post a CAT Class video below for the students to watch prior to class. Along with the video, there will be a list of questions (CAT Class Quiz) to be completed and turned in to Pastor Rich prior to the start of class. The quiz may be downloaded by clicking the "Resource" link associated with each new video. Completed Quizzes can be sent to pastor@saintjohnss.com, or a pic of the completed quiz can be texted to 610-401-5602.
THE CATECHISM PLAN
Two year plan, beginning at the start of 7th grade and culminating in a confirmation ceremony in October of then 9th grade year.
The Catechism Plan
Saint John's is organized around 4 ministries that we have identified as marks of Christian discipleship. They are: Worship, Learn, Care & Serve. As CAT Class students participate in each of the four ministries they accumulate points toward their goals. Those who reach their point goal are invited to confirm their faith in a ceremony known as the rite of Confirmation. A confirmed youth is honored by being entrusted with much of the same responsibility as that of an adult member of the congregation. They are given the privilege of voting in congregational meetings, and are eligible to serve in leadership.
Two Year Plan: Click the link to the left to view or download the point based information for the two-year plan. This is the usual plan for most students. It may be modified for students in special circumstances.
2022-2023 Class Schedule and Lesson Plan
Care/serve form:
This would be filled out after a student finishes an act or event of care or service. These can be either within the congregation or, sometimes, on their own outside our congregation.
Curriculum
There are four units that rotate approximately every five weeks
UNIT 1: Old Testament
UNIT 2: Lutheran History
UNIT 3: New Testament
UNIT 4: Lutheran Living
Parent Volunteer Schedule
CAT Class is a team effort. For practical reasons, as well as safety ones, at least one parent is asked to be in the class and in participation with each event of the CAT class program. Also, please provide a snack for the class. Below is a link to the parent volunteer schedule. This link is password protected. The pastor has emailed the password to those with permission to open. If you need the password, email the pastor and ask for it. Also, this link will open a document in the Cloud with permission granted for you to make changes. If you swap days with someone, please update the online document.
Here's the link: Parent Volunteer Schedule
Cat class video Lessons
Vides are organized by date and by title.
Use the navigation tools to open up the video you're looking for.
