Getting Started! Never too early, not too late

We can always start earlier - Have our Confirmation program lined up a year out, put on our informational session with parents and youth, get the congregation excited about a new intergenerational opportunity, and have the calendar set. But it is also not too late! July is the perfect time to feel the ease of summer and start putting into place the essentials for a strong and engaging year of formation for the youth and adults of your faith community. 

To help, over the next three weeks, I will break down the check list for the Quick Getting Starting Guide for Confirm not Conform. Follow along! Doing just a few things each week will make you feel confident and ready. 

First - 
Give yourself a 1 hour block in the next week when you can read through the Getting Started Guide. Grab your highlights and take some notes on what needs to be done next. Maybe read it in your favorite sunny place - pour yourself an iced tea. Invite a colleague to read it with you and plan together. 
Then - 
Get a sense of the sessions. Take a look at the Table of Contents to get an idea of the flow of the lessons. Don’t worry about scheduling them at this instant. What you need to know right now: 
• Each session as written is 90 minutes long, but can be divided into smaller chunks.
• Each session document starts with information about what you need to have or do to set up that particular session. You will need some time in advance to gather material and to prepare the space. 
• Session Materials to print out and copy are at the end of each individual session, not in a separate file.
• You will not need to prepare content, but we strongly encourage you to review the session content before you lead the session. 
Basically, take a deep breath. Everything you need to know and prepare for is clearly written out in the materials. 

Finally - 
If the date for your first session is imminent...Print out Session 1 or pull it up on your 
eReader and take 10 minutes to look through it. Write down the items you need to have for the session. Schedule time to gather those items after this hour is over. Do not go scurrying off in a panic!


Stay tuned next week for more easy to check-off-your-list tasks. And always reach out for ideas or help - info@confirmnotconform.com