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Grace Youth Ministry Christian Formation

Youth Ministry at Grace provides a safe, welcoming, and open space for youth to meet, question, and deepen their faith. Our youth are active and integral participants in the life of the Church.

The 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. services welcome young people and their families and there are varieties of ways for youth to participate actively. All youth in grades 7 through 12 are invited to serve as acolytes, ushers, help as greeters, readers and choristers. You are always welcome to join us!

Any youth, at any time is welcome to join the Grace Youth Ministry…just show up! On Sunday evenings from the 2nd week in September through the end of 2nd Sunday in June, youths in grades 7-12 gather to connect with their friends, both peer and adult leaders. For program year September 2008 to June 2009, Grace Youth Ministry will consist of 2 groups: the Junior High School Youth Ministry (grades 7 and 8) and High School Youth Ministry (grades 9-12). Both groups meet at Grace House on Sunday evenings. The normal start time is from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., but the start time will vary to accommodate field trip experiences.

Cheryl Peterson and Rod Ragland are the leaders for Junior High School Youth Ministry and Bryan Ellison and Rebecca Lent are the leaders for High School Youth Ministry. Cherisse M. Robles is the interim Minister of Youth.

In the past we have used the Journey to Adulthood curriculum for Jr. High students; this year we are focusing on community building, social outreach projects, will reflect Biblical stories found in Old and New Testaments.

Grace Youth Ministry has four components:

• Social Activities - the purpose is to give kids many opportunities to present themselves in positive ways. We engage in inclusion strategies and learn collaborative social skills
  
   
• Social Service - the purpose is to do good for someone who needs help or to raise our awareness of justice issues.
  
   
• Fun Activities – the sole purpose is fun!
  
   
• Content Lessons - the purpose is to learn about the wisdom and practices of Christianity.
  
   

Grace Youth Ministry Schedule

There will be a variety of happenings to give our youth a taste of the span of riches available in God’s Kingdom. Some of these happenings will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Grace Youth will kick off the youth program with a walk to downtown Silver Spring to watch a movie and enjoy pizza back at Grace House.
  
   
• Grace Youth will participate in the Diocese of Washington All Youth Lockin!
  
   
• Grace Youth will plan the Grace Youth Sunday.
  
   
• Grace Youth will have a hayride in October just for the fun of it!
  
   
• Grace Youth will decorate the Grace House Christmas tree and bake cookies for our homeless brothers and sisters in December.
  
   
• Grace Youth will participate in a Diocesan retreat.
  
   

Diocesan Events

As Episcopalians, we are part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which is comprised of more than 70 million people around the world. Part of our heritage and identity is being in community with the greater church. It is one thing to live in a community for a couple of hours, quite another to live like that for more than twenty-four hours. Being in connection with our broader family offers us all countless gifts and opportunities. Grace youth connects to the wider church by participating in the various diocesan events held through out the year.

Community Service

We schedule routine outreach opportunities around the community. Our outreach activities form an integral part of our formation program. It allows our Grace youth to reflect in tangible, practical ways, on the implications of their faith in community. It heightens their awareness to the plight of those less fortunate and instills in them a sense of "for-otherness" which is at the heart of the gospel.

Youth Ministry Lockin

At lease twice a year we have a lockin. It is a time for us to gather as a community and have some fun! Sometimes we engage in community service, or go midnight bowling, or have had a movie marathon until 4 in the morning! Friends of youth members are always welcome and it is a time to relax, unwind, and get to know each other better. You never know exactly what to expect, but you can expect to have lots of fun!

Youth Retreats

What is it?

A time away from the parish and an opportunity for youth and adult leaders to have fun together and learn about building community, exploring our faith and getting to know each other better.

What do we do?

We hang out, sing, worship, eat, sleep, talk, be quiet, play games, meet in small groups, do walking trails, pray, get to know new people, get to know each other better, get to know God better, and have an grand time!

Why do we have these retreats?

We have it because it is great fun. It is like having a 3-day lock-in! Not only is it fun, but it provide us with an opportunity for deeper and meaningful relationships, both with our peers, and with God.

Grace Youth Ministry Contact Information

If you would like further information or have questions about the Grace Youth Ministry, please contact Grace Episcopal Church at 301.585.3515.