PLANTING AND NURTURING SEEDS OF FAITH
Faith Formation
Faith Formation plants and nurtures the seeds of faith through learning, relationships, and service. This begins with Salem’s youngest children and continues throughout their lives. Salem’s witnesses share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, pass on faith stories, and develop relationships that last a lifetime. Faith Formation’s passion comes from the love that the Holy Spirit has instilled in us and the saints that inspired us.
Some opportunities for Children, Youth and Families at Salem include:
Classes are held each Sunday during the school year at 10:15am during Education Hour.
Salem’s High School Youth Group meets from 10:15am-11:15am on Sunday mornings during the school year for Bible study, current events, faith development and community building. Students are involved in many fellowship and service projects throughout the year and participate in at least one high impact week-long mission trip, national gathering or Leadership Lab each summer.
Pastor Craig leads Faith for Life instruction for the entire 6th through 8th grade group.
Faith for Life is the also known as confirmation ministry. This is a three-year timeframe for youth in grades 6-8. The youth meet once a month on the second Sunday at 2pm as part of a confirmation co-op to ask questions and to be challenged to take the next step to affirm faith that has been stirring among them since baptism. Fellowship, learning, and service experiences help shape youth with faith that informs and gives meaning for their lives. Classes are led by a co-op of ELCA rostered leaders to further their learning. Youth at this stage are also encouraged to take part in worship and reflect on the importance of the faith community who gathers regularly for prayer, praise and thanksgiving.
Youth Milestones
Celebrate life’s most important moments with us… At Salem, we celebrate life’s most important moments, recognizing God’s presence in our everyday lives! We invite individuals of all ages to join us in our journey as we grow in faith and discipleship.
This is the beginning step in a person’s lifelong faith journey. Through baptism we are welcomed into the Church and the Kingdom of God. If you are interested in baptism for yourself or for your child, you are invited to contact the church office to set up an appointment with Pastor Craig Swenson.
Salem recognizes that the Bible is an essential source of guidance throughout our faith journey. We celebrate God’s Word with our preschoolers and 3rd graders, as well as our youth when they enter Confirmation, by presenting them with an age-appropriate Bible and extending a blessing over them.
This annual event marks the passing of the summer, and celebrates the beginning of the school year. Students of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks to the altar, where they receive a blessing and a small gift. Whether they are entering Kindergarten, or preparing to leave for college, this event reminds students that God is with them always.
A child’s first communion is an important milestone event. Students and their parents are invited to participate in instruction and discussion of the mystery of Holy Communion.
This significant milestone affirms an individual’s baptismal faith to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
From sixth through eighth grade, youth commit to ongoing worship, education, fellowship and service to the world in the name of Jesus Christ. Confirmation instruction includes Bible study and the Lutheran Catechism and culminates in their Affirmation of Baptism.
When high school students become first time drivers, they step into new responsibilities and leave their younger years behind. Among ancient peoples, the rite of passage into adulthood has always been a quest connected to a more adult understanding of the world. Freedom, independence, adventure and the open road; all things our youth are excited to have, all things we want for our kids, and all things that scare us as our children grow up. At Salem we bless the keys of new drivers annually and provide them with a small gift to remind them of God’s presence with them.
At the completion of high school, our youth are faced with choices about future life paths. Salem celebrates this milestone with a blessing in worship, a graduation reception and the gift of a handmade quilt, reminding them that God has a plan for their lives. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)
