Youth Ministry for Fourth-Twelfth Grades
For more information contact Mother Krista: motherkrista@stlukesfc.org
Begins September 17th 2023
Teens and tweens are relational by nature, and our faith is one that is developed in community. Neighboring Episcopal churches St. Luke’s and St. Paul’s join in a shared youth ministry initiative, expanding our tweens’ and teens’ community of faith. Young people in grades 4-12 come together on Sundays at noon at St. Luke’s. Together they seek to create and sustain meaningful Christian community through fellowship of love, service to others, spiritual discussions, teambuilding and fun. We strive to encounter our faith in every day language while looking for the face of God all around us.
The God Squad - Youth Group for 6th – 12th Grades
The God Squad comes together every Sunday noon-1:30at St. Luke’s. They begin with games and a holy meal of lunch together. After lunch they reflect on how they’re called to walk in the way of God’s love together. They will pray, reflect on scripture, serve others and become more engaged in their faith.
Young people in this age group are also invited to begin serving more as a mature member of the church. We invite them to serve as acolytes, Wonder Church volunteers, ushers and more each Sunday. We hope that through this service in addition to youth group, they are able to explore how they’re uniquely called to live out our faith.
Confirmation Class – Second Sunday of the Month
Beginning October 9th, 2023
Grades 6-12
Who am I really? What do I believe? Where are my true friends? These are questions young adolescents are asking themselves all the time. They are trying out different “personas” primarily in relationships. It is very meaningful to explore identity in the context of church community, where we know that they are uniquely made in God’s image. This February we will begin a new program that will intentionally invite young people to explore what they believe and who they are through Confirmation. Confirmation is a sacramental rite in which someone makes a mature affirmation of faith while the bishop lays hands on them. Historically, Confirmation began when the Church grew too large for bishops to baptize all Christians. There was a need for the people of the Church to still be connected to the wider church, so they were confirmed by the bishop after they were baptized. In our modern church, confirmation is an affirmation of faith and connection to the wider church after an intentional time of learning, praying, and questioning.
Our Confirmation program will be a three-year cycle taught by local clergy and lay people. Each year will be different. We will learn about the fundamentals of Christianity, take part in service projects, learn about other religious traditions, pray in different ways and more. In our diocese, the bishop will confirm people once they have turned 15. All students in grades 6 and up may begin the confirmation process now and they may be confirmed when they are 15 or over.
What about teens who will graduate from high school in less than three years?
We know we have some young people who will graduate high school without having finished the three year cycle. That’s ok! We will “fast track” older teens who would like to be confirmed sooner. Just let us know.
Sign-up for confirmation by emailing motherkrista@stlukesfc.org
Mountain Movers – Youth Group for Grades 4-6
Meets from noon – 1:30 on the First Sunday of the Month beginning October 1st
Children in grades four through six are in a new and exciting developmental phase. They are increasingly social and they want to explore who they are in the context of friendship and fun. Children in this age group will have Wonder Church each Sunday, but we have extra fun community and faith building for them once a month. During Mountain Movers, upper elementary aged children will have an opportunity to deepen their friendships over a meal, have a lot of fun and further explore who they are in Christian community.
Sign-up for Mountain Movers by emailing motherkrista@stlukesfc.org