The goal of the St. Matthew’s Youth Ministry Program is to create a safe, fun and meaningful environment where youth can develop spiritually, socially and emotionally. We do this by offering a diversity of programs to meet a diversity of interests and needs. Each one of our programs is designed to assist youth in creating meaningful relationships with friends, their families and with God.
Community Building: Fun events such as the monthly "Youth Celebration", the Polar Lock-In, the fall "Skip Day", the Super Bowl party, and trips to sporting events are great ways to make new friends and build community. Some events, such as the monthly movie night, offer a more relaxed environment for youth to just hang out and enjoy a show, while events like "Youth Celebration" include a high-energy program with food and crazy games for youth grades 6-12. At St. Matt’s, there will always be a place for you! To find out what’s happening go to our Youth Events button(see sub-topic buttons on the right-hand side of this screen).
Service: These are events, such as projects with El Buen Samaritano, the Trinity Center and the Spring Blitz Mission Trip, that allow youth and adults to put their faith in action today.
Worship: The youth gather together each Sunday for a time of prayer and music. Also, once a month we offer a youth service that is prepared and led by the youth for the whole church on Sunday night as part of the "Youth Celebration" program. We are a people of prayer.
Learning: Middle School (grades 6-8) and High School (grades 9-12) students meet each Sunday morning for a variety of programs. These programs provide opportunities for youth to deepen peer relationships, engage in seminary-based Bible study, and utilize lessons from the Journey to Adulthood curriculum. Each Sunday evening programs allow youth to engage their faith through active learning and unique prayer experiences. Other faith formation opportunities include diocesan retreats such as Happening and Y.E.S, as well as our own youth group retreats.
Rites of Passage: At St. Matthew’s we look forward to acknowledging the transition from childhood into the journey of becoming adults that our early adolescents undertake. Our Rite 13 ceremony: The Celebration of Manhood and Womanhood publicly celebrates this milestone. Older youth who are ready to express a mature commitment to Christ, are invited to prepare for the laying on of hands by the bishop, in Confirmation preparation.
Leadership: Youth and adult members of the Youth Council practice important skills such as communication, conflict-resolution and goal setting as they design and implement youth programs.
Outreach: The Gospel is a gift to be shared. The Youth Council seeks to find ways for St. Matthew's Episcopal Church Youth Ministry to reach out into the community as well as be an inviting and supportive place for all youth (members and non members of the church) and their parents.
There is nothing ordinary about our regularly scheduled programs. Throughout each month there are a variety of ways for youth to connect with God, church, and each other.
And check out the buttons on the right regularly for youth event updates, youth photos, permission slips, links & more!
