St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
Thursday, February 23, 2012
YouthJourney to Adulthood | Confirmation | Youth Group | Summer outreach for youth | Sunday school and youth group meeting times | Worship ministries for youth | Contact Matt Johnson
Welcome to the St. Stephen’s youth community! Whether you are brand new to St. Stephen’s, you're already involved in our youth ministry, or you are trying to become more active – the information on this Web is for you.
At St. Stephen's Church, we work to help each of our young people realize their unique, God-given gifts and talents, to demonstrate God’s boundless love and grace, and to support each one in his or her walk with Christ. The programs and fellowship offered through the youth ministry of this church are meant to provide a foundation on which each middle and high school student can build as he or she grows in a relationship with Christ.
Youth ministry, though, is not separate from the rest of church life. At St. Stephen's, youth and children are an integral part of our common life. Young people are leaders in our Sunday worship...they participate in mission trips...they sponsor events such as blood drives...they teach and mentor younger children, both within this church and in the community on behalf of St. Stephen's...and take their place in the life and worship of God's church.
If you wish to know more about youth ministry at St. Stephen's, or you want to participate, you are always welcome to join in (and bring a friend)...or to contact Matt Johnson, our Associate for Youth and Young Adults...or receive our weekly youth ministry email newsletter (contact Matt to be added to the list).
At St. Stephen's, youth in grades 6 through 12 participate in Sunday school, youth groups and confirmation preparation through the Journey to Adulthood program. Learn more about this program here.
Each year, the youth of St. Stephen's present a Christmas pageant during the 11:15 a.m. service on the last Sunday in Advent. Tableaus of different parts of the Christmas story as told in the Gospels are presented while the Scriptures are read. All youth are invited to participate. Now is the time to register for this beloved and unique event! The pageant will take place on Sunday, December 18, during the 11:15 a.m. service. All participants are required to attend the rehearsal on Saturday, December 17, from 1 p. m. until 2 p.m. (Please do not register if you cannot come to the rehearsal.) In the registration form, please indicate whether you would prefer to be a wagoner (middle schoolers), a reader, or a character. The online registration form is here.
6th and 7th Graders: PR-13
PR-13 (Pre-Rite 13) is a program for those beginning their adolescent journey. Through a combination of instruction, discussion, and activities, students explore how they live their Christian faith in this new phase of their lives. The PR-13 group will also participate in fun activities and service projects throughout the year. Sunday School Sundays from 10:10 - 11:00 a.m. in the PR-13 Room (first room at the top of the stairs) Youth Group (includes supper) 1st and 3rd Sundays from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. in the PR-13 Room 8th and 9th Graders: Rite 13 and Confirmation This program explores rites of passage and the changes youth experience during these years in their lives. When participants turn 13 years-old, they celebrate that rite of passage and participate in the Rite 13 liturgy during a Sunday worship service. The Rite 13 curriculum also provides confirmation preparation. In addition to attending at least 65% of the Sunday School and Youth Group gatherings, those wishing to be confirmed are required to attend an 8-week confirmation class. Sunday School Sundays, 10:10 - 11:00 a.m. in the Rite 13 Room (upstairs at the end of the hall) Youth Group (includes supper) 8th Graders: 1st and 3rd Sundays from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. in the PR-13 Room 9th Graders: 1st and 3rd Sundays from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. in the PR-13 Room 10th and 11th Graders: J2A J2A (Journey to Adulthood) builds on Rite 13 and focuses on the acquisition of vocabulary and skills (including listening, negotiation, research, information management, partnership and leadership) that prepare and empower the young person to participate in the adult community. During the first year (2010-2011) the students studied self and society. This study culminated in an Urban Orienteering Adventure. During this second year of J2A the students will spend a semester discussing sexuality and a semester exploring spirituality. This year the J2A group will also be preparing for a pilgrimage to an important holy site during the summer of 2012. To be eligible for the pilgrimage each member must attend 65% percent of all morning and evening meetings and participate in all fund-raising activities. Sunday School Sundays from 10:10 - 11:00 a.m. in the J2A Room (upstairs between the PR-13 & Rite 13 rooms) Youth Group (includes supper) 1st and 3rd Sundays from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.in the PR-13 Room 12th Graders: YAC Through informal discussions about how the gospel relates to their daily lives, YAC (Young Adults in the Church) members explore how to live out their baptismal promises within the congregation, the community, and the world. In these gatherings we also hope to help participants grow in their experience of a relationship with Christ, their understanding of how to live as disciples of Christ within the faith community, and their sense of call to Christian ministry through the experience of Christ’s presence in the lives of others and in the world. Sunday School Sundays from 10:10 - 11:00 a.m. in the YAC Room (upstairs at the end of the children’s hallway) Youth Group (includes supper) 1st and 3rd Sundays from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.in the PR-13 Room Acolytes All young people in grades 8-12 who feel called to serve at the Lord’s table are encouraged to join St. Stephen’s acolytes. The acolytes meet regularly throughout the year for planning and training. Lay Readers
Anyone in grades 8-12 may serve as a Lay Reader (read a scripture lesson) at our Sunday worship services. Ushers
6th and 7th graders may serve as ushers at the 9:00 service in the “Big Church” on Sundays. Chalice Bearer
If you are at least 16 years old and confirmed, you are invited and encouraged to serve the wine during Sunday morning liturgies. This ministry requires being licensed by the bishop. Those interested in being trained and licensed should contact Matt Johnson. Acolytes
All young people in grades 8-12 who feel called to serve at the Lord’s table are encouraged to join St. Stephen’s acolytes. The acolytes meet regularly throughout the year for planning and training. Contact Matt Johnson for details.
Lay Readers
Anyone in grades 8-12 may serve as a Lay Reader at our Sunday worship services. If you are interested in this ministry, please contact Matt Johnson.
Ushers
Sixth and seventh graders serve as ushers at our 9:00 service on Sundays. If you are interested in joining our usher team, please contact Matt Johnson.
Chalice Bearers
If you are at least 16 years old, confirmed and are interested in being trained, please contact Matt Johnson.
Meeting Times--Sunday School and Youth Groups PR-13 (6th graders)
Sunday mornings: 10:10-11:00, PR-13 Room (upstairs at the end of the hallway)
1st and 3rd Sunday evenings: 5:30-7:00 (dinner included)
Rite 13 (7th and 8th graders)
Sunday mornings: 10:10-11:00, Rite 13 Room (first room at the top of the stairs)
1st and 3rd Sunday evenings: 4:00-6:00 (dinner included)
J2A (9th and 10th Graders)
Sunday mornings: 10:10-11:00, J2A Room (Upstairs- between PR 13 and Rite 13)
Sunday evenings: 5:30-7:00 (dinner included)
YAC ( 11th and 12th Graders)
Sunday morning: 10:10-11:00, Room one (upstairs at the end of the children's hallway)
Sunday evenings with J2A: 5:30-7:00 (dinner included)
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