Hello current 8th grade students, and parents of 8th graders, from Julie Antill:

I am writing to inform you of important dates and instructions for this year's upcoming 8th grade Confirmation class. Classes will begin on Sunday, January 8, 2012. This year we will meet in the Old Church from 10:15-11:00 AM every Sunday morning. Classes are taught by the Rev. Martin J. Bastian. Father Marty has been teaching Confirmation classes at St. Martin's for over a decade and he has established a wonderful Confirmation curriculum for the youth of St. Martin's.

The mandatory retreat will be held the weekend following our first class, January 13-15, 2012. We will gather Friday evening and take vans to Carolina Creek Christian Camp for a weekend of fun and fellowship. The Confirmation class for this weekend will be held at the camp before we head back to St. Martin's that Sunday evening. More weekend retreat details will be available soon.

The Confirmation ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 10:00 AM in The Church, with the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew "Andy" Doyle, Bishop of Texas, presiding. This is Mother's Day weekend so please mark your calendars with a reminder for this important weekend.

You can now register online for Confirmation and download the necessary paperwork. We also have the Confirmation Retreat packing list available.

Parent Table Leaders: If you are interested in volunteering as a parent leader this semester, please let Julie know. There is the option in the Confirmation paperwork to place your name as a volunteer, or you can e-mail Julie with your interest as a leader. Table leaders will join us every Sunday to help facilitate discussion, take roll, encourage participation, know the kids' names and listen. This is a great opportunity for parents to be in community with the other students during this Confirmation journey and beyond, creating lasting relationships.

For more information, contact Julie Antill at 713-985-3841 or jantill@stmartinsepiscopal.org.

Important Dates:

Parent Meeting - Sunday, December 11, 2011, 10:15 AM in the Scout Hut

First Confirmation Class - Sunday, January 8, 2012, 10:15-11:00 AM in the Old Church

Confirmation Retreat - January 13-15, 2012, Carolina Creek Christian Camp

Confirmation Ceremony - Saturday, May 12, 2012, 10:00 AM in The Church