Youth Leadership Team
Comprised of youth and adults, this
team in conjunction with the Youth Director, focuses on the vision
and goals of the Youth Program.
Youth Christian Education with the J2A Curriculum
The Journey to Adulthood Curriculum (J2A) is used to teach 6th-12th grade youth. The curriculum falls into three distinct phases, each of which is two years in length: Rite-13 (7th & 8th grade youth), J2A (9th & 10th grade youth) and Young Adults (11th & 12th grade youth). The Journey to Adulthood Curriculum focuses on Rites of Passage: the Rite of Passage from Childhood to Manhood and Womanhood, and the Rite of Passage into Adulthood. Youth learn how to struggle with the major topics that have always confronted teens (Self, Society, Sexuality, and Spirituality) within the context of in a Christian environment.
Adult Leaders of the Journey to Adulthood Curriculum
Leaders make a two-year commitment to teach the Journey to Adulthood curriculum to a specific age group (Rite-13, J2A or Young Adults). The commitment includes leading Sunday morning lessons and assisting the Youth Director with off-campus youth activities. Parents are invited and encouraged to volunteer, but we ask that they be willing to work with age groups that do not include your own children. Requirements include a background check and a training seminar (see “Adult Leader Training”).
Adult Leaders for Youth Activities
Adult volunteers minister to the youth through their presence and leadership during youth activities (Sunday afternoons and/or Wednesday and Sunday evenings), overnights and weekend retreats and trips. The time commitment is considerably less than that of the Adult Leaders of the J2A curriculum, but the need for these leaders is just as great. Parents are invited and encouraged to volunteer, but we ask that you be willing to work with age groups that do not include your own children. Requirements include a background check and a training seminar (see “Adult Leader Training”).
Adult Leader Training
Training sessions qualify an interested adult to serve as a youth leader. The training is offered twice per year, and covers expectations for youth ministry and training for the prevention of sexual misconduct. Adult Leader Training is required to go on overnight youth trips, and recommended for anyone who will serve in a ministry capacity with students. Look for forthcoming announcements of training dates.
Wednesday Night Youth Meetings
<>This element of our programming for youth brings all three groups (Rite-13, J2A, and YA) together on Wednesday evenings for fellowship and spiritual formation. Wednesday night fellowship will include music, discussion, and fun, with an emphasis on relevance for all three age groups.
Diocesan Youth Council (DYC)
Sponsored by the Diocese of Atlanta, this camp-like retreat is at Camp Mikell and is a weekend of fun and fellowship. Jr. DYC is designed for middle school youth and is scheduled for December. Sr. DYC is designed for senior high youth and is scheduled for January. Come take a journey and explore your personal beliefs and faith. Adults and youth may apply to be Council members in February 2006 for the 2006 DYC retreat weekends.
Episcopalooza
Each year the Diocese, along with a local parish, hosts a lock-in. The night is filled with music, singing, art and drama put on by the youth of the Diocese. Episcopalooza is held in April for high school youth.
Happening is a retreat for spiritual renewal designed for high school youth. Happening is the high school version of the greater Cursillo movement that was brought over from Spain in the 1940’s, and similar retreats exist in the Catholic, Methodist and Lutheran churches. The weekend consists of talks, small group times, singing, and praying. Happening is November and March at Camp Mikell and is available to students in 10th through 12th grades. Dates and applications may be found on the Diocesan website at www.episcopalatlanta.org.
New Beginnings is a younger version of Happening and is designed to respond to the issues, concerns and needs of teenagers in 6th through 9th grades. New Beginnings offers an opportunity for teenagers to explore and develop their faith in a safe and fun environment. This year’s retreats are October and February. Dates and applications may be found on the Diocesan website at www.episcopalatlanta.org.
Winterlight
A December conference for grades 9-12 at
Kanuga Conference Center, North Carolina. This is a time to create,
to celebrate, to worship, to explore your thoughts and beliefs and to
rest and reflect—all while being in Christian community.