Youth Group Meetings

Grade 5-6: Junior Eagles

The 5th-6th grade children and their parents meet three times a year as a sort of introductory youth group. The primary purpose of these gatherings is to begin building fellowship among them in preparation for St. John's junior high and high school youth groups. Past events have included a bowling party, a movie night with everyone making dinner together, and a community outreach project.

Grades 7-8: Eagles

This 7th and 8th grade youth group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 7 - 8:30 p.m. The purpose of Eagles is to give youth more time to go deeper into elements of the Sunday morning classes as well as have fun with other teens in our faith community. All 7th and 8th graders are welcome, whether or not you attend the Sunday morning sessions.

High School Group

This group of 9th-12th graders meets from 7-8:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of every month, with the future goal of meeting weekly.  Meetings will include discussion, reflections, worship, food, movies, and games.  High school youth are also encouraged to participate in Sunday morning worship and programs.

For more information on the programs, see Youth and Spirituality

Curriculum and Resources

Although no workbooks or handbooks are used, the program is based upon work done by the nationally acclaimed Youth Ministry Spirituality Project, and the book Contemplative Youth Ministry, by Mark Yaconelli. Our work is also influenced by the curriculum and philosophy behind the Journey to Adulthood (J2A) program. J2A is a comprehensive spiritual formation program for junior high and senior high school students. It uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries, and both serious and playful activities to underscore its core messages that:

1. Manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God
2. Adulthood must be earned

Additional resources are used to supplement and enhance discussions of current events and social justice issues.

Mentors

The clergy and adult mentors who work with the youth groups are committed to being spiritual companions who are eager to engage with youth to notice and name the movement of the Holy Spirit in their lives, and nuture their growing spiritual paths and faith lives.

Vision for Our Youth Center

With St. John’s history of vibrant youth ministry and 7 years of fundraising and visioning behind it, we are pleased and blessed to have a beautiful, new youth center. Our aim is to provide the youth of Marin a vital spiritual home and community resource. In the coming years, we hope to expand and enhance our programs. We will be looking for your input to guide us in this discernment.  One goal is to provide a safe environment for teens to hangout on weekday afternoons and weekend nights.

For further Information, please contact

Rev. Chris Rankin-Williams, Rector

or Families@stjohnsross.org (Family Ministry Team)

© 2006 St. John's Episcopal Church, Ross, California. All Rights Reserved