Youth Education at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church

Youth Education

At St. Aidan’s, we believe that our children are our future, and that a thriving Youth Ministry is essential to a healthy faith community.

The aim of our Youth Ministry program is to plant the seed of faith in our children, and to help that faith grow in a world where spiritual quest is often dismissed as “uncool.” First and foremost, we want our children to understand the story of Jesus’ death, resurrection and saving power. We also want them to become familiar with important texts from both the Old and New Testament, and to understand our Episcopal liturgy. In addition, we strive to teach our children ethical behavior. We want them to learn how to discern Christian approaches to the problems of today’s world. And, we want them to learn tolerance, and instill in them a spirit of service to others.

Children in middle school meet regularly on a weekday night in our Confirmation Class. And our High School Group meets monthly in a member’s home. (See below)

Our annual Christmas pageant is one of the highlights of our Youth Ministry. Among other activities, our kids also present pancake breakfasts, serve as acolytes and lead youth liturgies and the Stations of the Cross during Lent.

St. Aidan’s High School Group (SAHS)

high school group St. Aidan’s has an active high school program. The objectives of the program are:

• Make St. Aidan’s relevant for our youth

• Build community within the youth of the church

• Make our young people feel a part of the St. Aidan’s parish community

• Give them a glimpse of what Christianity can mean to them directly, so that as they explore and learn about themselves, they will integrate the many positive aspects of the Christian faith into their hearts and minds.

OUR PROGRAM:

Community Service

For the last four summers, the High School Group has attended the Sierra Service Project (SSP), the centerpiece of our community service program. SSP is a non-profit organization providing life-changing experiences through acts of service repairing Native American homes. The SSP invites high school age youth and young adults to experience the profound power of serving people who have a culture and life experience different from their own. The kids get a double benefit from participating in SSP:

• They fulfill the community service requirement for their schools.

• By helping others, they both love God and love their neighbors as themselves.

sierra service project Youth may participate beginning in the summer prior to the ninth grade until the summer following graduation from high school.

Summer 2007 will be St. Aidan’s 5th trip on a Sierra Service Project. Past SSP Projects have included: Round Valley, CA. (‘03), Chiloquin, OR (‘04) Big Pine, CA. (‘05) and the Lukachukai area of the Navajo Nation at Four Corners. (’06)

2007-We have been invited by the Walker River Paiute Tribes to work in their community this summer. The reservation is centered around the tiny town of Schurz, Nevada, located 100 miles from Reno, 240 miles from Sacramento and 420 miles from Los Angeles. We will probably be housed in the local elementary school, with showers, indoor bathrooms, a large gym and a nice cafeteria. We intend to coordinate our repair work closely with the tribe's Housing Department and undertake some major renovation project.

The work we do on SSP includes painting, roofing and a variety of light construction work, such as building porches, stairs, floors and wheelchair ramps.
www.sierraserviceproject.org

In the past, SAHS has also conducted Pancake Breakfast Fundraisers, made cookies for the Aids Luncheon and signed Christmas cards for the Union Rescue Mission. Every year, the Youth Group also joins in the Methodist church’s clothing drive at Thanksgiving. Our students work unbelievably hard at meaningful community service.

SSP Many thanks to the entire Parish of St. Aidan’s for the support they give by sharing, coordinating and counseling the High School Group’s activities.

Meetings

The high school group meets monthly on either a Saturday or Sunday evening for food, fun and fellowship, the focus of the group.

high school group

Service Participation

At St. Aidan’s we encourage our youth to participate in the services through music, reading lessons, leading prayers, ushering, serving as crucifers, greeting parishioners, etc.

Jr. High Confirmation Class

Sacrament of Confirmation

Our junior high students (grades 6-8) are invited to participate in a confirmation class that meets throughout the year. These students along with an adult volunteer and the rector gather for a common meal and build a sense of community and understanding of the basic tenants of the Anglican faith and tradition. For many it is a time to express doubts and questions, coupled with rigorous study and participation. Essentially the youth are given tools and a foundation to assist them on their spiritual journey independent of their decision regarding confirmation.

Sunday School

Sunday School is offered throughout the year during the 10:00 am service for children from pre-school through Fifth Grade. Classes are lively and interactive, conducted by a volunteer parent and a teen parishioner under the guidance of the Coordinator of Christian Education. Children who participate in Sunday School may join their parents in church for the Eucharist. Annual highlights include spirited Christmas and Easter pageants, in which all children are invited to participate.

Child Care

Excellent childcare is provided during the 10:00 am service for babies and toddlers. Supervised play and crafts are provided for most Parish events and Sunday Forums.




			Youth Education At St. Aidan’s, we believe that our children are our future, and that a thriving Youth Ministry is essential to a healthy faith community. The aim of our Youth Ministry program is to plant the seed of faith in our children, and to help that faith grow in a world where spiritual quest is often dismissed as “uncool.” First and foremost, we want our children to understand the story of Jesus’ death, resurrection and saving power. We also want them to become familiar with important texts from both the Old and New Testament, and to understand our Episcopal liturgy. In addition, we strive to teach our children ethical behavior. We want them to learn how to discern Christian approaches to the problems of today’s world. And, we want them to learn tolerance, and instill in them a spirit of service to others. Children in middle school meet regularly on a weekday night in our Confirmation Class. And our High School Group meets monthly in a member’s home. (See below) Our annual Christmas pageant is one of the highlights of our Youth Ministry. Among other activities, our kids also present pancake breakfasts, serve as acolytes and lead youth liturgies and the Stations of the Cross during Lent. back to top St. Aidan’s High School Group (SAHS) St. Aidan’s has an active high school program. The objectives of the program are: • Make St. Aidan’s relevant for our youth • Build community within the youth of the church • Make our young people feel a part of the St. Aidan’s parish community • Give them a glimpse of what Christianity can mean to them directly, so that as they explore and learn about themselves, they will integrate the many positive aspects of the Christian faith into their hearts and minds. OUR PROGRAM: Community Service For the last four summers, the High School Group has attended the Sierra Service Project (SSP), the centerpiece of our community service program. SSP is a non-profit organization providing life-changing experiences through acts of service repairing Native American homes. The SSP invites high school age youth and young adults to experience the profound power of serving people who have a culture and life experience different from their own. The kids get a double benefit from participating in SSP: • They fulfill the community service requirement for their schools. • By helping others, they both love God and love their neighbors as themselves. Youth may participate beginning in the summer prior to the ninth grade until the summer following graduation from high school. Summer 2007 will be St. Aidan’s 5th trip on a Sierra Service Project. Past SSP Projects have included: Round Valley, CA. (‘03), Chiloquin, OR (‘04) Big Pine, CA. (‘05) and the Lukachukai area of the Navajo Nation at Four Corners. (’06) 2007-We have been invited by the Walker River Paiute Tribes to work in their community this summer. The reservation is centered around the tiny town of Schurz, Nevada, located 100 miles from Reno, 240 miles from Sacramento and 420 miles from Los Angeles. We will probably be housed in the local elementary school, with showers, indoor bathrooms, a large gym and a nice cafeteria. We intend to coordinate our repair work closely with the tribe's Housing Department and undertake some major renovation project. The work we do on SSP includes painting, roofing and a variety of light construction work, such as building porches, stairs, floors and wheelchair ramps. www.sierraserviceproject.org In the past, SAHS has also conducted Pancake Breakfast Fundraisers, made cookies for the Aids Luncheon and signed Christmas cards for the Union Rescue Mission. Every year, the Youth Group also joins in the Methodist church’s clothing drive at Thanksgiving. Our students work unbelievably hard at meaningful community service. Many thanks to the entire Parish of St. Aidan’s for the support they give by sharing, coordinating and counseling the High School Group’s activities. Meetings The high school group meets monthly on either a Saturday or Sunday evening for food, fun and fellowship, the focus of the group. Service Participation At St. Aidan’s we encourage our youth to participate in the services through music, reading lessons, leading prayers, ushering, serving as crucifers, greeting parishioners, etc. Jr. High Confirmation Class Sacrament of Confirmation Our junior high students (grades 6-8) are invited to participate in a confirmation class that meets throughout the year. These students along with an adult volunteer and the rector gather for a common meal and build a sense of community and understanding of the basic tenants of the Anglican faith and tradition. For many it is a time to express doubts and questions, coupled with rigorous study and participation. Essentially the youth are given tools and a foundation to assist them on their spiritual journey independent of their decision regarding confirmation. Sunday School Sunday School is offered throughout the year during the 10:00 am service for children from pre-school through Fifth Grade. Classes are lively and interactive, conducted by a volunteer parent and a teen parishioner under the guidance of the Coordinator of Christian Education. Children who participate in Sunday School may join their parents in church for the Eucharist. Annual highlights include spirited Christmas and Easter pageants, in which all children are invited to participate. Child Care Excellent childcare is provided during the 10:00 am service for babies and toddlers. Supervised play and crafts are provided for most Parish events and Sunday Forums.
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