At First Congregational Church, Confirmation is designed to provide the foundation for understanding an individual’s faith as well as laying the groundwork for their continuing life journey. The participants are generally in late Middle School or early High School. The term confirmation comes out of the opportunity for young people to publicly confirm their own faith. Following confirmation studies, some of the participants choose to become church members, but that isn’t a requirement. In many ways, proclaiming one’s faith is the first adult spiritual act that an individual will undertake. Confirmation sessions are designed to introduce Christian beliefs, thoughts on God, and church history. Confirmation also serves to help the students prepare their own faith statement as a guide for applying their faith in the world around them.