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Theotokos retreats offer participants a "capstone" event -- or discipleship launching pad! -- in the Confirmation journey, in which Confirmands and their adult leaders experience the United Methodist Connection and get to learn about and reflect on biblical stories of call, their own story, what it means to follow Jesus, the "priesthood of believers" (giftedness and ministry of each in the Kingdom work of the Body of Christ), and the vows of Covenant Membership (prayer, presence, gifts, service, witness).
In 2024, Theotokos Confirmation Retreats will be offered five weekends at Hinton Rural Life Center, a United Methodist mission outreach and retreat agency of the Southeastern Jurisdiction. Hinton is located in Hayesville, NC, in the Appalachian Mountains and is about two hours from Asheville, Atlanta, Greenville, and Chattanooga.
THEOTOKOS RETREATS ARE FOR
Confirmands, Confirmation leaders, and accompanying adults!
Theotokos retreats are for youth participating in United Methodist Confirmation, their leaders (clergy and laity), and other accompanying adults. Although youth as young as 6th graders may participate, the Theotokos retreat will be more meaningful for older youth, recommending that participants be in 7th grade or older. We welcome confirmands who are in middle school or high school!
Theotokos retreats are designed to support and complement the Confirmation ministries of local United Methodist congregations, who are the faith communities, “God families,” and key disciple makers of young people.
THEOTOKOS 2024 — 5 WEEKEND RETREATS:
- March 1-3
- March 8-10
- March 15-17
- April 5-7
- April 12-14
Spots are limited to about 85 each weekend, so early registration is encouraged to secure your preferred weekend. Registration for 2024 closes when the weekends are filled or by February 1, 2024. Follow Hinton Theotokos on Facebook and Instagram for updates!
LOOKING FOR A CONFIRMATION CURRICULUM?
Theotokos Connections Confirmation Curriculum
Hinton has partnered with Dr. Jonathan LeMaster-Smith and Rev. Shannon LeMaster-Smith to create a United Methodist Confirmation resource that’s accessible, relevant, and affordable to smaller membership churches. Because it’s designed to be flexible and adaptable for the needs and contexts of different Confirmation ministries, churches of all sizes and settings will find it easy to use, youth friendly, and theologically solid as a United Methodist resource.
This resource shares the Theotokos name with the Theotokos Confirmation Retreats ministry, but it is not used at the retreats nor is it required to be used by groups that attend the retreats. It does share a focus on and highlights the connectional aspect of our Methodist polity and experience.
Theotokos Connections is a digital resource consisting of 6 sessions. There's just a leader guide, no student piece. Except for the first session, the sessions can be used in any order. There are multiple options offered for openings, learning activities, and closings, and it includes an appendix full of ideas and resource links. The introduction gives a much fuller description of the resource, its components, and the session topics.
TO PREVIEW AND ORDER:
- For a preview of the intro and first session, email karen@hintoncenter.org .
- To order the resource using a pdf form and paying by check or credit card, complete and submit the order form linked HERE, with payment, OR ORDER ONLINE USING THE BUTTON BELOW.
- The cost for this resource is $10/user, which includes numbers of confirmands and adult leaders. This is a one-time charge, but if you continue to use the resource in the future, we hope you'll consider making a donation to Hinton Rural Life Center to help support our Theotokos Confirmation ministries.
- FOR WNCC CHURCHES -- Order with discount code "WNCC" at https://www.hintoncenter.org/2022/07/20/theotokos-connections-curriculum-order/