MENTOR!
I’m Allison Butler, the Confirmation Coordinator. I wear a couple hats here at Easter but this is my favorite hat. I love middle schoolers!
Each October, at the Affirmation of Baptism Service, we send off our 10th grade Confirmation students into the BIG world of officially transitioning into adulthood here at Easter Church. These kiddos have spent 4 years learning what it is to be a Lutheran, the Small Catechism, the Christian Bible & how to read it, the Hebrew Bible, eating pizza, camping & serving our community. They are led in a small group by an amazing rockstar adult or two whom we call a “Mentor.” The mentor is the heart and soul of Confirmation. They are the glue that bonds the group together. Without a mentor leading each small group, the program fails. I can’t make this stuff up. It will fail.
Now, we don’t sugar coat this mentor volunteer position. When you step up to become a mentor, you take a HUGE step! You commit to 4+ years of Involvement, getting to know amazing students and serving as a safe adult in the lives of teenagers that aren’t yours. (Parents that mentor do not mentor their own kiddo’s group.) You commit to weekend retreats at Camp Wapo, visits to other faith’s worship services and hours & hours of Dance Dance Revolution. You commit to developing amazing relationships with other parents and members of Easter Church. You commit to being there for these kiddos & loving them no matter what baggage they bring along.
I asked my current mentors to share thoughts about what being a mentor has meant to them. I was hoping to get a few one line responses. Holy buckets, their words bring tears to my eyes and joy to my heart!
Joe says:
“Being a mentor allowed me to share in my own child's spiritual journey without infringing on their own confirmation experience. It's been a wonderful opportunity to get to know other families at Easter, and better understand the message our church is providing to the young people in our congregation. I have a job that can be demanding at times, and I deeply appreciate the mutual support mentors provide one another, and I can't say enough great things about the great job the Easter youth ministry team does to really make the confirmation program so wonderful. As a mentor we're asked to show up, be present and provide a welcoming atmosphere for our group of students; THAT's IT! It's such a simple ask, and I've personally found it to be a great experience getting to know other mentors and the kids, as well as the pastors and staff at Easter. If you're on the fence, just do it. Jump in, commit to putting yourself out there and open yourself up to an opportunity to engage with your child during this really special time in their lives.”
Britta says:
“I loved being a mentor! As a teacher, being with the kids who came to confirmation was a fantastic treat. They are the best kids! I looked forward to being with them each week. They were happy to do fun things and learn about the bible. As a parent it was great to listen and learn what the students were learning so we could continue the conversation at home. Don't worry about being "ready" for managing these middle school kids. They can be a little squirrley, but they are so much fun! Enjoy the time with each of them.“
David says:
“Here are a couple of thoughts from my experience last year:
You will be amazed how these kids connect and grow while sharing highs and lows during small group breakouts
You will expand your own knowledge and experience with the Bible as your group progresses”
Are you intrigued? I’m looking for at least 5 men and women to step up and lead next year’s new 6th grade Confirmation students. Won’t you join these amazing mentors, Deacon Hans and me and give it a try? We need you. The kids need you more. Please email me at abutler@easter.org or call me at 651-452-3680.