Youth: Journey to Adulthood
Our Youth (middle and senior high) participate in a program called Journey to Adulthood, focusing on understanding their journey to womanhood or manhood as a person of God and in this culture. This program:
- Provides a liturgical frame for their experience in our modern culture
- Celebrates their individuality and creative potential
- Instructs them in the skills needed for successful adult participation in church and society
- Includes in-depth exploration of self, society, sexuality, and spirituality
- Follows the imperatives of our Baptismal Covenant
- Is a complete youth program with a systemic curriculum
This 2008-2009 school year we are beginning a new two-year cycle. We welcome any young person as part of this group. We meet on Sunday mornings, 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. There are some activities on Sunday afternoons and Saturdays. We also have several “road trips” in the program. Usually parents get together in the fall to work on dates that work well for these extra activities. We also welcome parents who would like to chaperone events. Leaders for the groups are discerned by the Steering Committee and clergy and are asked to spend some time in personal discernment to see if they feel called to respond to the call of the community to serve as leaders.
Journey to Adulthood is separated into four distinct phases:
Rite-13: Beginning the Journey to Adulthood |
(two years, between grades 6-8) |
The Rite-13 curriculum assists young people as they take their first steps of passage away from their families and into their own lives. Youth enter into Rite-13 in the 6th or 7th grade and after the first year participate in the Rite-13 Ceremony (a liturgical celebration of the gift of womanhood and manhood). During the two years, the community acknowledges the gift of gender, celebrates the amazing creative power and potential of these young people, and creates a safe haven to explore new ideas, new interests and new abilities.
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J2A: Developing core values for the journey |
(two years, between grades 8-10) |
J2A is the core program, which blends action and contemplation in teaching young people faithful living. The program also helps them understand and affirm Christian living. During J2A the group will determine a theme and destination for their pilgrimage. They will also begin fundraising for this.
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CAP: Confirmation and Pilgrimage |
(final J2A year) |
As the J2A group continues their work, they enter into their CAP year in which they are invited to be confirmed and to make a holypilgrimage. These are different but complimentary ways in which the community recognizes that the youth are now young adults, rather than children, and equipped for new levels of responsibility. The pilgrimage chaperones will also attend some classes to integrate them into the group.
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YAC: Young Adults in the Church |
(beyond Confirmation) |
YAC encourages older youth to take on adult responsibilities in all aspects of parish life and community. They are challenged to become good stewards of their time, talent and treasure. Guided by adult mentors, they use the Anglican model of Scripture, reason and traditionto guide the lifelong pilgrimage in their faith. Two important elements of YAC are the Mentorship program (an apprenticeship to an adult with a particular duty/responsibility in the church) and the development of their personal Credo.
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