Registration Form
God Squad Summer '09
Youth Mission Video
February 2007
Page Last Updated
May 22, 2011 |
|
Acolytes
This is one of the largest youth ministries in the Parish and one of the most visible. The acolytes assist the clergy during weekly masses, memorial services and weddings.
About 20 youth are trained in this ministry, who are called to serve approximately once per month. New acolytes are encouraged and welcomed.
There are three levels of acolytes: Master, Senior and Juniors. The Juniors are 5th grade or older with three years or less experience. Seniors are typically 8th to 10th graders with three to five years experience. Masters are 10th through 12th graders. Junior acolytes usually only serve at the 10:00 service on Sunday under the direction of a Master or Senior acolyte. Masters and Seniors also serve alone at the 5:30 and 7:30 services, memorials, and weddings.
Training is usually done in the Autumn shortly after the Opportunity Fair for the benefit of the new recruits and as a refresher for veteran acolytes. The team leaders, parish staff liaison and Master Acolytes lead the training. New acolytes typically "shadow" an experienced acolyte two or three times before they are put in the regular schedule. The Parish has also prepared an Acolyte Manual that is given to each new acolyte as a reference guide.
Youth Group
Our vibrant youth program attracts a faithful group of teens to weekly Sunday night gatherings that inspire eager discussion and reflection. Dedicated youth leaders provide dynamic leadership as well as leadership training. Our youth participate in monthly "God Squad" programs with other area Episcopal churches. They also perform a variety of volunteer duties, from wrapping presents to serving food to the homeless. St. Paul's youth and youth leaders have participated in Mission Trips where they work on facilities and with children. Currently a Confirmitzvah class is being conducted for eight teens, combining elements of confirmation training and welcoming teens as adult members of the parish.
Adults Working with Youth
All adults who work with youth as Sunday school teachers, acolyte trainers or youth leaders must complete a background check and online course by the end of the year. The diocese requires this course as part of the Diocesan Child Abuse Misconduct Prevention Program. All you need for the course is a PC or a Mac and Internet access. The course takes one to one and half hours, but you can pause and return anytime to the same place and finish the course. To get started, read the instructions then use this link to begin.
Godly Play
The parish's Sunday School program is called Godly Play. Godly Play is successfully used by several denominations in churches around the world.
Godly Play was developed by an Episcopal Priest named Dr. Jerome Berryman in 1984 at his home parish in Houston. This program was inspired by Jerome’s many years of work with children and his advanced Montessori studies with Sofia Cavaletti, a major Montessori contributor, in 1971.
Thanks to Dr. Berryman’s work, Godly Play is a wonderful program for children, teachers, and families, and parishes involved in the ministry. When a ministry like Godly Play benefits so many people in a congregation, the rest of the congregation cannot help but be touched by that ministry, too.
Everything that happens in a Godly Play classroom – the classroom set-up, the carefully chosen and placed materials, and the management of the community of children – serves the child’s relationship with God.
Additionally, the Godly Play program supports the teachers’ developing faith relationship with Christ. Teachers will no longer be required to develop their own curriculum, crafts, and activities. They are free to focus on spiritual preparation and relationship-building between teachers, children, Christ, and families. This is the work Christ calls each of us to do.
Godly Play classrooms are designed with different ages in mind. Currently, the classrooms accommodate the following groups: ages 3-5, ages 6-7 and ages 8-11. Middle school aged children meet in the Youth Center. Godly Play begins just before the 10:00 a.m. service on most Sundays. For more information, please contact the parish office at 925-934-2324 or email Godly Play.
| |
|
