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What is Affirm?
Grounded in Word and Sacrament, Affirm 2012 develops discipleship skills, leadership skills, and teaches Lutheran theology. We follow Christ, we live in a Christian community, and we teach how to be His hands in the world.
“I felt God at Affirm.” “Affirm changed my life.” “I love Affirm.” “I can be myself at Affirm.” “I heard God’s call to be a pastor at Affirm.” Affirm is Great!” These are just a few comments from our youth who have attended Affirm over the years. Affirm is an over 40 year old summer youth event of the ELCA Southeastern Synod at Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia. Affirm nurtures faith and equips youth leaders for today and tomorrow for grades 6th – Freshmen in college.
AFFIRM is a five-day youth event of faith, fellowship, and friends sponsored by the ELCA Southeastern Synod. Grounded in Scripture, the event offers youth the opportunity to develop the ministry/life skills that allow each individual to know and live out God’s affirming touch in Jesus Christ. Affirm nurtures faith and equips youth leaders for today and tomorrow. Over 75 adults serve on the Affirm Staff. We are so fortunate to have these awesome volunteers give their time to our youth. AFFIRM will be held at the Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia. AFFIRM 2012 will tentatively begin on Sunday, June 17 and conclude on Friday, June 22. Additional information will be provided once the dates have been confirmed.
This year's theme will be announced soon so please check back frequently for more information.
The cost includes lodging, all meals from Sunday supper through Friday lunch, an event T-shirt, and all program costs. This year the cost is $375.00. Check with your church youth advisor for congregational scholarships and/or transportation planning for this event. Scholarship assistance is available from AFFIRM. Please fill out the Scholarship Form included in the registration packet and return before March 1.
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Affirm Units Designed to develop Lutheran Leaders
GENESIS
Genesis (a new creation) is a high energy, fun, "feel good" unit, designed to help 6th and 7th graders see that they are special and unique children of God who can have fun being Christians.
JOURNEYS
Journeys will provide youth with the opportunity to be led to the intersections where their lives will meet Christ's in a radical new way. The Gospel story will come alive as youth engage in creative communication and small group activities.
11th - 12th
BRIDGES
Bridges will provide an opportunity for high school youth to learn and experience the history and culture of all Americans - their music, spirituality, and struggle - as a gift. Bridges explores how barriers separate cultural groups from one another.
YAYMI
Young Adult Youth Ministry Institute
YAYMI is a small group experience for young adults who are called to be youth leaders. This unit uses an internship model whereby youth will work with mentors and units at Affirm to develop their skills.
WORSHIPTIVITY
Worshiptivity =Worship and Creativity. This unit is designed to help individuals faithfully combine their gifts of music, drama, and art to create the worship experience for the AFFIRM community. Through planning and leading worship during the week, individuals will grow in their own spirituality and gifts.
MISSIONARIES
Provides youth the opportunity to explore issues of Christian living as they relate to service and witness. Youth will be invited to see themselves as an integral part of God's family and to see every person as someone whom God loves.
EXODUS
Exodus is "A Journey from Sin and Death to Resurrection and Everlasting Life." Participants will see and experience the abundance of God's love and grace given to us through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
REVELATIONS
Revelations is an experiential lab in daily living. We seek to discover revelations and creative insights to help Senior High youth identify the many forces -- both good and bad-- which influence their lives.
SHEPHERDS
Shepherds is an introduction to Christian Leadership. The Shepherd is the one who tends to and cares for the group. This unit will help individuals identify leadership styles and skills, enabling them to develop a greater understanding and confidence in their role as leaders. LIMIT – 48 youth
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How to Attend Location, Prices, etc...
Location:
Berry College
Mount Berry, Georgia
Mount Berry, Georgia
Register online here beginning January 1, 2012
Scholarship Applications due by March 1, 2012
You can go ahead and start planning for Affirm 2012 registration by speaking with your parents and coordinating with your youth director or pastor.
Once online registration is open you will be able to register online from this website by clicking on the Online Registration button.
The Registration Process
Steps for successful registration:
- Register online beginning January 1, 2012 (with your parents permission)
- Don't forget to select unit 1st and 2nd choices. Remember you can only do a unit once and must select an alternate when registering
- Pay deposit online or choose option to mail in deposit
- Receive email confirmation or registration online with additional forms in email attachment
- Complete forms from email and mail to registrar in order to secure a spot in your 1st unit choice
- Receive confirmation of completed registration from registrar via snail mail
Registration Packet
For offline registration
For offline registration
Benefits of online registration
- Pay online with Credit Card using Paypal
- Reduce amount of information registrar has to enter
- Receive Affirm updates via email
Cost
- Total cost for event is $375
- $200 Deposit due at time of registration
- $50 late fee for registrations after May 1st