Youth Ministry

Between seventh and twelfth grade, young people begin their transition from childhood to adulthood physically, psychologically, intellectually and spiritually. St. John’s program for youth seeks not to ignore these transitions, but to boldly acknowledge and support young people through them intentionally and pastorally. True, the teenage years are not without hardship, conflict and tension. But they are also exciting and filled with the possibility of abundant spiritual growth and deepening faith. They are also the time when young people can deeply attach to their community of peers and when they can best move into leadership roles in every area of congregational life.

At St. John’s, we are deeply committed to respecting and affirming our youth, and we seek to express this support through a lively and relevant Christian Education program and monthly youth group. Our Youth Ministry also sponsors special events as we encourage youth to claim their rightful places of leadership in the wider parish community.

Youth Group
St John's Youth Group is somewhat under construction this year as it morphs from predominantly a high-school group to a younger one. This may occur in two ways, a possible extension of programming on Wednesday evenings associated with the older kids choir and some fun events throughout the year oriented toward younger youth. Stay tuned!

Confirmation
Open to those turning 16 by the end of May, 2012, the confirmation class will meet twice a month on Sunday evenings beginning in January, 2012.  This class is designed to help the participants explore membership in the Episcopal Church and choose what ways they might continue in their involvement with St. John's.

Juniors and Seniors
New this year, this group of Juniors and Seniors will have a planning meeting/dinner on Sunday, September 12, 6:00p.m. at the Peterson house.  We will work toward some type of work/mission trip.

Pilgrimage | Summer 2011
This is open to youth in grades 9 and above (primarily 9th and 10th graders).  We meet all year, once or twice a month on Sunday evenings for a pot-luck.  Our first meeting will be Sunday, September 26 at 6:00p.m., where we will begin talking about a destination.

Work Trip to Guatemala | Summer 2011
Open to those entering high school and older, this is an opportunity to experience another culture, do some hard, physical labor, and encounter both the beauty and poverty of a remarkable country.  We work with the mission of San Lucas Toliman on the shore of the “Most beautiful lake in the world”, Lake Atitlan. The mission has projects including coffee production, education, a clinic, housing and reforestation.  All the projects are led by local leaders whom we work with and for.  The next trip will take place in the summer of 2011.

Episcopal Youth Event | June 21-26, 2011
The Episcopal Church in Minnesota will host this tri-annual event where hundreds of youth from all 109 dioceses and three regional areas descend on the Twin Cities. We have the opportunity to help plan and welcome them to Minnesota.

Work Trip with Habitat For Humanity | Summer 2012
Open to ages 16 and up on the work site and any age in the kitchen, this is your chance to spend a week sweating and hammering in the southern sun (or cooking in the air-conditioned kitchen if that sounds better). We work with the Baldwin County, Alabama, Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Beginning with a slab, we build an exterior of a house and often are working on wiring and sheetrock by the end of the week. Our next trip will be the summer of 2012.