Youth Formation
7th through 12th grades are guided by the Journey to Adulthood program. It is based on the premise that manhood and womanhood are gifts of God but adulthood must be earned. Our young people are nurtured, encouraged, and challenged to learn and grow into all that God has called them to be.
The youth are split up into two classes:
- Rite 13 (7th & 8th)
- J2A (9th – 12th)
Young people on their Journey to Adulthood are supported and guided by a great group of mentors and resource team members. There are also many events for each individual group and for the whole program.
The goal for this class is to mentor young teens as they begin to develop their own ideas about what they believe and why. Sometime after their 13th birthday, teens participate in the “Rite 13 Liturgy”, which is held in the spring each year during a 10:00 a.m. Sunday service. This moving ceremony recognizes the life-changes that occur at this age as young people embark on their Journey to Adulthood. The congregation, the participants’ parents, and their fellow teenagers promise to nurture and support them on this journey.
During these years, the J2A mentors focus on deepening the conversations and faith explorations that begin in Rite 13. This class explores the significance of confirmation and encourages teens to decide for themselves whether they are ready to take this next step in their faith journey.
At the end of their 10th grade year, the Journey to Adulthood Program encourages teens to go on a Pilgrimage. Pilgrimage is neither a vacation, nor a sightseeing tour, nor a mission trip. Pilgrimage is all of that and more – it is a time set aside to journey in the footsteps of faithful Christians who have gone before. By mindfully walking in their footsteps, teenagers are put in touch with our tradition, our roots, our God.
Confirmation is an adult affirmation of the vows made for us as infants by our parents and Godparents. Youth prepare for Confirmation as part of the 9th and 10th grade Sunday School classes, and are confirmed at or around their 16th birthday during a Bishop’s visitation.