YOUTH MINISTRY AT ST. PAUL'S
Our Mission: Our program of Youth Ministries at St. Paul’s Church is based on the idea that through entering safe, peace-filled relationships with each other, we share our stories, lives, joys, fears, and faith. Through these relationships, we experience the grace of God, and we grow into knowing more fully a living Jesus Christ in our everyday lives.
How We Realize Our Mission:
We offer many points of contact for teenagers to engage and grow in their journey of faith with a living Christ. Regardless of where or how a teenager finds their point of contact, we strive to honor each young person wherever they are on their journey. We understand the work of this ministry to reveal the love and grace of God by the relationships that are formed during any of these programs.
By entering into safe, peace-filled relationships with each other, we are entering into such relationships with God. Many adults are involved, walking beside our teenagers during their journey, walking as friends, mentors, and fellow travelers. This style of relational ministry affords offers us the opportunity to share our stories and to learn how to grown in community with each other in Christ.
TotalChaosintheNameoftheLord.AMEN!
A high energy fellowship group for 5th and 6th grade students to build community and have fun.
Confirmation (7th grade - 8th grade - 9th grade)
Confirmation is a time when we as a community of faith recognize the spiritual maturation of our members, and they make a sacramental commitment to their faith life.
7th Grade: “Truthseekers”
In the first year of Confirmation preparation, our 7th grade class explores the “Big Questions” in life by examining them through the lenses of the major faiths of our world. We make visits to other houses of worship, and we meet and talk with people of other faiths. This comparative religions experience gives us a due respect of people of other faiths and, at the same time, informs our own Christian heritage.8th Grade: “I Will With God’s Help”
In the second year of Confirmation, we explore how our faith informs our lives, and how it connects to our world. We explore the Baptismal Covenant in depth.
9th Grade: “Credo”
In the final weeks leading up to the Bishop’s Visitation, the Confirmands put all the pieces together; each one explores what they will set their heart upon wherever they find themselves on their journey. They now can make an informed decision as to whether or not they would like to be presented before the bishop for Confirmation.
Confirmation Sponsors
All along the way, from 7th -9th grade, each confirmand will identify a companion for their journey who is a member of this parish (16 years or older) to serve as their Confirmation Sponsor. This person will walk alongside them as a mentor, friend and fellow seeker in the Confirmation journey. A sponsor is someone who can help explore the question of faith with the confirmand, not necessarily someone who has all the answers.
Sunday Evening Youth Group (Jr. High and Sr. High)
Every Sunday night, from 6 to 8 p.m., all 7th through 12th graders are invited to come for dinner. After dinner, the groups break up into Jr. High (7th and 8th) and Sr. High (9-12 grade) groups for fellowship, and support, as this group engages the joys and struggles of being a teenager. They support one another and share their ideas about the world, God, and their faith. It’s a group that mixes fellowship activities and outings with game nights, outreach projects, and discussions. The Evening Youth Group explores faith in the context of the world to which they live.