Youth
The Youth Program at Christ Church is called The Journey to Adulthood, a complete youth ministry program of spiritual formation for youths of grades 6 – 12. It uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries and both serious and playful activities to underscore its core principles:
1) Manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God.
2) Adulthood must be earned.
The Journey to Adulthood program is comprised of three two-year segments based on the grade levels of the youth:
Rite 13: grades 6 & 7 or 7 & 8
J2A: grades 8 & 9 or 9 & 10
YAC: grades 11 & 12
Rite 13
Rite 13 is the first two years (grades 6 & 7 or 7 & 8 ) of the program which focus on celebrating the individuality of each young person and their creative potential. The Rite 13 liturgy (A celebration of Manhood and Womanhood) is the community expression of this.
J2A
J2A is the middle segment of the program (grades 8 & 9 or 9 & 10) and engages youth with the skills and critical thinking involved in adulthood. The youth plan and embark on a pilgrimage together at the end of this segment.
YAC
YAC (Young Adults in Church) is a mentor-based part of the program helping older teens (grades 11 & 12) to discern and carry out a ministry within our church or in the larger community. Vocation and development of a personal credo are also emphasized.
Rite 13 Activities
In the Fall of 2007, the Rite 13 segment of The Journey to Adulthood was begun and we plan to grow the program as our youth grow. Currently, we teach the Rite 13 curriculum during the Christian Education hour at 9:15am on Sunday mornings in our Youth Room. In the fall of 2009, we will be adding a J2A Sunday School class as well as we welcome a new group of Rite 13 youth!
EYC (Episcopal Youth Community)
Every Sunday from 4-6pm, we have various activities open to youth ages 6th-12th grades. We typically meet in the Youth Room on the 3rd floor, but sometimes have fun outings. These activities include:
- Kick-Off party
- Video Scavenger Hunt
- Lunch and Bowling
- Game Night
- Movie Night
- Clinton Library
- Rivermarket
- Hiking
- End of year pool party
The EYC group also occasionally takes part in many Central Convocation Youth Outings during the year. Outings coordinated with area Episcopal Youth (grades 6-12) from Trinity, St. Michael’s, St. Margaret’s, and St. Mark’s include:
- Gator Golf
- Ice Skating
- Hiking at Pinnacle Mountain
- Diocesan Camp Events at Camp Mitchell. Go to our Diocesan website for more info or email Randall Curtis, our Diocesan Youth Coordinator.
The Journey to Adulthood – Background
The program was originally authored by Episcopalians at a parish in North Carolina, and is now used in many churches of different Christian denominations around the U.S. Additional information on this youth Christian Education program may be found at leaderresources.org.
The Journey to Adulthood – Our Leaders
We have a great team of dedicated youth leaders who help guide, mentor, and love our kids here at Christ Church. Rite 13 Sunday School teachers and EYC leaders: Scott Beattie, Kathryn Alderfer & Murdock Jones.
Our youth coordinator, Tiffany Hadden, has extensive training in The Journey to Adulthood program and has experience from previous youth ministry jobs in New Orleans, LA; Birmingham, AL; and Scottsdale, AZ.For further information, please contact: Our Youth Coordinator Tiffany Hadden or by phone at 501.375.2342.