Faith Stepping Stones

Faith Stepping Stones
Faith Stepping Stones are a series of programs designed to build “Faith in the Family” starting from the time a child is an infant and continuing through their graduation from high school. It is a program that recognizes the incredible impact parents have on the faith life of their children, and works to partner with parents on the faith education of [IMAGE]

their children and to help them live out the promises they made at their child's baptism.

Parents learn practical, effective ways to live and share the love of Jesus in their homes and will gain valuable insight into the spiritual development of their children. In addition, each stepping stone encourages parents to implement a new faith practice in their home.

Baptism Stepping Stone
The first stepping stone, this class is an expectation before baptism for first time parents and those who have come from a non-Lutheran background. We encourage you to take the class before the baby is born. This class is an opportunity to learn more about the meaning of baptism and about how parents and the church will partner together through the years on their children's faith journeys. Parents will learn about faith development, choosing a sponsor and the gift and blessing of baptism. The Baptism Stepping stone is typically offered every two month at different times to better accommodate peoples schedules. Nursery is available with advance reservation. Please contact the Incarnation Office to sign up. All Baptism Stepping Stone classes will be held from 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. in Adult Room D. The registration deadlines for the Baptism Stepping Stones are the Wednesday before the upcoming session. Childcare is provided with advanced registration. The registration deadline for the March 4 Baptism Stepping Stone class is February 29.
Upcoming Dates: March 4, April 29.

Stepping Stones for Children & their Parents

Pre-School Stepping Stone/Pre-School SPARK Sunday/Wednesday Preview
Parents will meet while your child attends a preview of Sunday School. This is a great opportunity to introduce your child to Sunday school while you get to meet with other parents and Children’s Ministry staff to talk about how you honor the promises made at your child’s baptism! This will also work on helping you answer those questions your preschool student can begin to ask about faith topics.
When: Fall 2012

Kindergarten Stepping Stone

For the Kindergarten Stepping Stone, parents meet while their children attend SPARK Sunday. This is an opportunity to recognize the milestone of your child’s entrance into kindergarten and also to talk about where they are in their Spiritual Development so we can continue to partner on their faith journey. Parents of students enrolled in SPARK Wednesday are invited to join us for this Stepping Stone on Sunday morning.
When: Fall 2012

Where: Classrooms 15-17

First Communion Stepping Stone
The First Communion Stepping Stone is Incarnation’s version of First Communion Preparation and is offered on a Saturday morning twice a year. The group is divided by age. Students in 1st & 2nd grade meet from 10 a.m. to Noon. Students in 3rd – 5th grade (or older as needed) meet from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. At least one parent or other significant adult is expected to attend with each student. Register Online or in the Incarnation Office. Read the letter sent to parents .
When: March 3, 2012 - registration deadline: February 27

Where: Grace Hall

Third Grade Bible Stepping Stone

Third Grade students and their parents are invited to be a part of a 3-week Bible class that will end with 3rd graders receiving Bibles during worship. Parents and students will attend class together in lieu of normal SPARK Sunday classes. SPARK Wednesday students are invited to attend on Sundays.
When: Fall 2012

Where: Classrooms 15-17

Fourth Grade Old Testament Stepping Stone

Fourth Grade students and their parents are invited to be a part of a 3-week Bible/Stepping Stone class that will focus on the Old Testament. Parents and students will attend class together in lieu of normal SPARK Sunday classes. SPARK Wednesday students are invited to attend on Sundays.
When: January 8, January 15, and January 22 at 8:40 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Where: Classrooms 15-17

Fifth Grade/Transitioning to Adolescence Stepping Stone

This Faith Stepping Stone course is designed for 5th graders and their parents to help prepare you for middle school and confirmation! SPARK Wednesday classes for 5th graders will conclude in April to allow you to participate in this important milestone.
When: April 29, May 6, and May 13

Where: Classrooms 15-17

Stepping Stones for Middle School Students and their Parents

Three-Fold Celebration of Confirmation
The Three-Fold Celebration of Confirmation is designed to create an experience of transition and commitment for the confirmands. View this year's event dates.

Parent Presentation of Confirmand in Worship
Parent Presentation happens during regular Sunday worship. Parents present their child--much as they did at baptism--and place on them their confirmation robe which symbolizes new life in Christ. Parent Presentation concludes with a special blessing by the congregation.

Celebration of Passage

Confirmation marks a person’s passage to young adulthood and to full participation in Christian community. This is the focus of the special candlelit Celebration of Passage service for confirmands and their parents. During this celebration and service of blessing, confirmands participate in a faith journey where they begin to understand the responsibility for nurturing and growing in their faith is now theirs and begin to understand that they are not alone in this journey.

Service of Confirmation
This service is culmination of the Confirmation experience and the time when confirmands publicly promise to continue in the relationship that God established with them in baptism. The highlight of this service is the blessing of each confirmand surrounded by their family and special guests. There are typically two identical services at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon.

Stepping Stones for High School Students and their Parents

Ninth Grade / Entry into High School Stepping Stone *New*
Students and families face a lot of changes as kids enter into high school. Students are maturing, they are more independent, and begin to juggle a lot more responsibilities. In the Entry into High School Stepping Stone, students and their parents will learn about managing commitments from a faith perspective and will get a preview of opportunities for high school students through Incarnation. For part of the time, students and parents will be on different tracts as students gain an experience of High School ministry while parents learn more about how they can continue to guide their child on their faith journey after Confirmation and throughout high school.
When: September 2012 - date coming soon

Blessing of the Car Keys Stepping Stone *New*
One of the most exciting times for high school students is when they receive their drivers license. For parents, it can come with mixed emotions--happiness at fewer driving responsibilities but also some worry about safety and good choices. This stepping stone is unique in that it is not a class, but a simple service of blessing for new drivers and their families that will be offered a few times during the year.

When: April 15; 9:45 a.m. & 11:45 a.m.
Where: Chapel

Why are we doing this?
When your child was baptized, you promised to provide for their instruction in the Christian faith. Christian education cannot be limited to an hour on a Sunday morning. We want you to invite God into your home. Since YOU are the most important person in your child's life, you are the best person to teach your child! The church is here to support you in that role.

Our mission is to bless the child, gift the family, and call the parents to the promise every night in every home. Rearing a healthy family is a real challenge in today’s world, and we are confident that God is using these Stepping Stones to meet the needs of families here at Incarnation and in our community.

For more information about Faith Stepping Stones, contact Shawna Berg at sberg@incarnationmn.org or 651-484-7213.