Grade 9 ~ The First Year of Confirmation

During the first semester, the first year candidates for confirmation meet in small groups in the homes of leaders. Groups are arranged in geographical areas as much as possible.

From September through December, every Sunday evening the youth study the mission and message of Jesus, participate in a group service experience, try out for the Passion Play, or have a day long retreat on Jesus.

The second semester is not required for Confirmation, but 95 percent of the students continue on to the Passion Play. In 13 rehearsals, a group of roughly 150 youth put on an awe inspiring Passion Play on a Friday night close to Easter.

It's a life changing experience for many: living the life of a Roman guard, a disciple, a town's person, a scribe or a person healed by Jesus. Each cast member must decide who this person of Jesus really is.

The first eight rehearsals are held on Sunday evenings, and the long technical rehearsals are on two Sunday afternoons as well as the Monday and Thursday evenings during the week of the play.

Note: There are no excused absences for the 12 rehearsals.

If you have any questions about the Passion Play Program, contact Barb Gerdes either via e-mail or phone: (763)746-8190. You may also contact Judy Rapp either via e-mail or phone: (763)745-3492.

2007-2008 Passion Play Calendar ~ Semester Two
*For your convenience, a printable copy of this calendar is located in the Important Documents list below.

Passion Play Participants: Please review the following schedule carefully. It will be your responsibility to show up ready to go. Also, please remember to sign in when you arrive or you will be marked absent. If we are to start at 7:00 p.m., then be at the Church and ready at 6:45 p.m. or so. A 7:00 p .m. start time does not mean that you should arrive at 7:01 p.m. To be on time is to show respect for all those involved in the program. If you absolutely cannot make a rehearsal, you are expected to call the church by noon Sunday at (763) 746-8190 and leave a message. Thank you in advance for another great year!

Please note: When we begin using costumes, please allow for a few extra minutes at the start and end of rehearsal for changing in and out of them. Also, during the long rehearsals in March, it is IMPERATIVE that we have all cast members present for the entire rehearsal time. We are missing one rehearsal this year due to the early approach of Easter this Liturgical Year. Usually we have 13 and this year we only have 12. Occasionally, we do finish early during those rehearsals, depending on how well it goes. We ask you to be flexible and understanding.

In the past, we have been asked if this many rehearsals is necessary, especially the long ones. The answer is YES. Every part is important. We also film the video during the long rehearsals. We believe we know what it takes to make this project work and it calls for some sacrifices, especially when school and sporting activities conflict with our schedule. Part of taking ownership of one's faith is learning to put God first in our lives, even when that isn't very convenient.

Important Documents for 2007-2008 Passion Play Participants:

• Passion Play 2007-2008 Calendar for Semester Two

Look for registration information regarding the 2008-2009 calendar year in April of 2008 on this web page.