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Church School for Youth
Youth Program - Church School - Activities
Catechesis challenge
Our own catechemunal challenge for the youth (sixth grade and up) was introduced in the fall of 2003, with the goal of forming young Episcopalian Christian adults through their six-year, progressive, catechemunal challenge.
This challenge is more than sufficient preparation for confirmation. Youth who choose not to fully participate in the challenge may take a confirmation class to prepare for confirmation.
For full details of the challenge, see Pam Wilson or Fr. Helt.
We are incorporating some elements of the Journey to Adulthood program as resources. We had used "J2A," "the Journey program" as our primary youth formation program for many years; more information on that program is below.
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J2A, Journey to Adulthood, the Journey program
At St. John's for many years we relied on the youth program Journey to Adulthood for youth formation. Journey to Adulthood is more than just a curriculum; it is a way of doing youth ministry. There are three stages to the total program: Rite 13, Journey to Adulthood, & Young Adults of the Church.
What is Journey to Adulthood?
Journey to Adulthood is a comprehensive youth program designed to:
- Use the Bible as a resource for living through Biblical knowledge and reflection
- Help youth to recognize the impact society has on our behavior
- Reinforce specific skills that will help youth be capable adults by dealing with:
This is done through four basic areas: Self, Society, Sexuality, Spirituality
Self: What gifts do I have to offer? Society: What is society's impact on me? What are my obligations to society? Sexuality: What role does my manhood or womanhood play in my life? Spirituality: What is my relationship with God? |
The three stages of the program are Rite 13, Journey to Adulthood, & Young Adults of the Church.
Rite-13
Two years (year one - 6th and 7th grades; year two - 7th and 8th grades)
Self: Explore abilities, gifts, talents Society: Form community Sexuality: Begin to acknowledge and affirm gender differences. Begin to build cross-gender relationships Spirituality: Begin to use journaling and reflection as a way to discover and process feelings |
Highlight: Formal recognition of womanhood or manhood during a special liturgy at age 13. |
Journey to Adulthood (J to A)
Two years (year one - 8th and 9th grades; year two - 9th and 10th grades)
Self: Decision making Society: Communication skills, negotiation Sexuality: Gender-proving behaviors Spirituality: Spiritual formation and personal spirituality |
Highlight: Pilgrimage during the summer at the end of two years. |
Young Adults of the Church (YAC)
Two to three years, depending on when Journey to Adulthood is finished
Self: Mentoring with professional adults to discern gifts Society: Assimilate into various ministries of the parish as active adults Sexuality: Dealing with manhood and womanhood in constructive ways Spirituality: Prayer, personality types |
Highlight: Going in peace to love and serve the Lord. |