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At St. James', Glastonbury, we've developed an organic Christian formation curriculum that is both dynamic and current in terms of meeting the spiritual needs of today’s teens. We strive to deliver a comprehensive formation program that targets four aspects of every Christian teen’s life; self, spirituality, society, and sexuality. Both our middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12) programs engage DVD media, internet technology, special guest speakers, service projects, and teambuilding exercises that help youth delve into contemporary issues that affect today’s Christian teenagers. Both our middle and high school youth are supported by two teams of adult mentors whose presence provides consistency, trust, and commitment. We value our youth and we want them to know that we're investing in their future!
Because flexibility and variety are key in working with teens, we’ve modified our curriculum to include teambuilding activities, the integration of service/outreach projects, fellowship opportunities, and regularly scheduled "In Church Sunday's" where our teens serve as acolytes, ushers, lectors, intercessors, choirsters, or ministers of communion. At St. James,’ we believe that youth Christian formation and education includes study, fun, service, and worship – four components that round out our youth programs and place learning into action!
St. James' Youth Christian Formation Calendar
2010 & 2011
September
12th Registration Day
Teambuilding Day for Rite 13 & J2A Youth – Plan for “Youth Booth” at Parish Picnic on 9/19
19th Parish Picnic
Service day for Rite 13 & J2A Youth – Youth will have a “Youth Booth” at the parish picnic.
26th In Church Sunday
Today is also the first of four “Church Street Eats” service opportunities we’ll be participating in at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford.
October
3rd Lesson plan – “The Cost of Discipleship”
10th Lesson plan – “Giving Back”
17th Service Day – youth work to support St. James’ “Apple Fest” booth.
24th Teambuilding Day
31st In Church Fifth Sunday Service – “Come in Costume Sunday!”
Possible Sunday evening “East of the River” Halloween Party
November
7th Lesson plan
14th Lesson plan
20th Possible trip to Boston Commons/St. Paul’s Cathedral to feed the homeless
21st Teambuilding day - Packing of College Care Kits during church school.
Service opportunity today after church “Church Street Eats”
28th In Church Youth Sunday
December
5th Lesson plan
12th Lesson plan
19th Teambuilding/Service – “Christmas Cookie Bake” in support of Christmas Families
26th NO CHURCH SCHOOL – CHRISTMAS PAGEANT TODAY AT 10:15AM.
(In case of snow, the Pageant will be held at the 5:00PM service.)
2011
January
2nd Lesson plan – “Compassion & Embracing Diversity”
9th Lesson plan – Invite Brian Gossling to discuss “Choices & Consequences”
16th Service Day – Youth will sponsor and host coffee hour today!
Also “Church Street Eats” ministry after church at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford
23rd Lesson on The Parables of the Gospels (today is our Annual Meeting)
30th “In Church Fifth Sunday Service ” – Recovery Sunday
30th "East of the River" Episcopal Youth Ice Skating at Bolton Ice Palace 12:15-2:15. Come out and bring a friend!
February
6th Lesson plan
13th Lesson plan
13th Family Eucharistic Workshop at St. John's Episcopal Church, Vernon. Confirmation class will attend and all others are invited!
20th Teambuilding/Fellowship
25th "Winter Party at the Pit" Sledding, winter games, followed by a Lock-In with Episcopal Church Youth East of the River. Drop off at 6:00PM Friday night, pick up 9:00AM Saturday morning.
27th In Church Youth Sunday
March
March 9th is Ash Wednesday – Lent begins.
6th Lesson plan – “What is the meaning of Lent and what does it mean to me?”
13th Lesson plan –
20th Teambuilding – Nick Monsarrat leads youth in the building of birdhouses during church school to sell at the upcoming Spring Fling.
Service opportunity today after church – “Church Street Eats”
27th In Church Youth Sunday
April
3rd Lesson plan
10th Lesson plan
17th In Church Youth Sunday – PALM SUNDAY
23rd Easter Vigil & Confirmation at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford, CT.
24th Easter Day – NO CHURCH SCHOOL
May
1st Rev. Peter Dewberry's discussion on prison ministry
8th Lesson or Service Day – This weekend is the Spring Fling and Mother’s Day
15th Planning for next week’s Youth Sunday
22nd In Church Youth Sunday – Church School concludes.
29th MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND – NO CHURCH SCHOOL
June
5th SENIOR HIGH SUNDAY – CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR GRADUATING SENIORS!
17th "End of School Party at the Pit," St. John's Episcopal Church, Vernon, CT Begins at 6:00PM til ???
Notes:
Beginning in January, 2011 the first two Sundays of every month will include Confirmation prep classes from 11:45AM-1:15PM. These classes are specifically targeted for youth who choose to be confirmed later in the spring. These classes are IN ADDITION TO regularly scheduled church school classes…and they’re going to be educational and FUN!
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