Luke 2:39-40
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Imagine Jesus as a youth. Might he have been much like our own youth, learning, questioning, and discerning? Might the community of Nazareth have helped in that upbringing?
The African proverb, “It takes an entire village to raise a child” reminds us of our call to nurture, guide, pray, celebrate, play and so much more with our young people as they move toward becoming adults…adults with a love for Christ and others at the center of their lives.
Here in our community of St. John’s we follow that call to provide Christian formation through our youth programs by offering many opportunities for their spiritual growth.
Sunday School
Our 6th -12th graders meet together every Sunday at the Youth House to take a deeper look into the stories of the Bible; the stories of us as the people of God. Their time together includes discussion about how those Biblical stories relate to their lives as middle and high school students, and their own faith. The fall will focus on key stories of the Old Testament, while the winter and spring will focus on key New Testament Stores.
The Youth House is located across the street from the Boston Avenue entrance to the church. Newly renovated and redecorated, the Youth House provides a place for youth to gather, meet for Sunday morning and confirmation classes, and hang out with friends.
Jack McCarthy, Blaine Martin, Pam Bradford, and Stephen Simmons lead our youth Sunday School.
Episcopal Youth Community Youth Group
 Combined St. John’s and St. Paul’s youth, grades 6 through 8 Jr.’s, and 9 through 12 Sr.’s, enjoy their respective groups on Sunday evenings. Beginning with two separate pool parties, both Junior and Senior High EYC are planned for every Sunday evening except holidays and public school long weekends from late August through the beginning of June…either in our wonderful youth house, in the community for outreach activities, or at a designated fun location.
 Want to know what's happening with youth group? Just click the appropriate link below. All EYC activities meet from 5:30pm – 7:00pm, unless otherwise specified. Activity details are communicated through email from our Junior and Senior Youth Coordinators. If you have not already been receiving our electronic communications and would like to, please take a moment right now to send an email to: jreyc@stjohnslynchburg.org or sreyc@stjohnslynchburg.org
Let us know parent’s names, youth name (s) and school grade, email address, and telephone contact number.
The following links provide an up to date list of current activities and events.
EYC Activities:
Parish Life…cooking casseroles for shut-ins
- Middle School Dances….St. John’s hosts two Middle School Dances each year
Music
The St. Cecilia Choir is a group of older elementary, middle school and high school girls and boys who sing interesting and challenging 2 and 3 part music. They sing two or three times a month with the Training Choir, with the full Parish Choir, and with a small group of women from the Parish Choir.
Jr EYC Pilgrimage Trip … Nightwatch at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine - NYC
In January our Youth will travel to New York to experience Nightwatch, a worship experience of music, candlelight meditation and Eucharist including a tour that traces both the story of the cathedral and Christian tradition as it is embodied in the church building. They will also enjoy an afternoon exploring the Big Apple.
Confirmation
Young Adults who are in the 10 th grade and wish to affirm their desire to begin taking on some of the responsibilities of being a Christian and member of St. John’s through the rite of Confirmation may participate in the youth oriented study and preparation. Confirmation is a time when we, as mature individuals who have been duly prepared, make a public affirmation of our faith and commitment to the responsibilities of our Baptism in the presence of the bishop and receive the laying on of hands. (BCP) For individuals who were baptized at a young age, it is the time when we accept the responsibility for fulfilling the vows made on our behalf by our parents.
Senior Youth Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner Fundraiser
It is a great event full of great food and fellowship. More than 100 people feast on pancakes, bacon, sausage and fruit, followed by a lively game of bingo. The Senior High Youth work this event to raise dollars to be used for youth events and mission
Senior Dinner
St. John’s honors graduating seniors and their families with a special dinner and video presentation featuring photographs from early years to present. Many in this group will have been active youths as acolytes, lay readers, and participants on many mission trips and community service events through St. John’s. Each graduate receives the gift of a Bible on behalf of the St. John’s family.
The Rev. Robert Marshall Robert@stjohnslynchburg.org is Associate Rector overseeing Youth Ministries
The Youth Ministries Committee serves to coordinate and support the efforts of St. John’s Youth. Members who serve on a three year rotational term are:
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
| Beth Knabel |
Pam Bradford |
Marty Watts |
| Torii Jones |
John Casler |
Paula Ryan Feinman |
| Nancy Moore |
Robin Edson |
Chesley Vohden |
| Nicolle Cundiff |
Nancy Naisawald |
Bootie Thelin ( St. Paul’s) |
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Lee Pat Kelleher ( St. Paul’s) |
Ron Thelin ( St. Paul’s) |
Mission Trips
Serving others is a foundational component of the Christian Faith. Mission and outreach is a natural outgrowth of this call and the combination of faith and works. Each summer we offer mission trips for both our Junior and Senior Youth. Three to four day Junior trips to South Carolina Rural Mission and North Carolina Trinity Center are meant to introduce our youth to what it means to live our part of God’s mission in the world. Week long Senior trips have in the past few years ventured to El Salvador, Belize, Mississippi, and most recently the Navajo Indian Reservation in the Four Corners area of the Southwestern United States. Senior mission trips are meant to help our teenagers more fully live into the promise from their Baptismal Covenant to seek and serve Christ in all others.
 Senior August 2009 Navajoland Mission and Pilgrimage
This summer a group of our Sr. EYC teenagers traveled with Robert and other adult leaders to the Navajo reservation in Farmington, New Mexico to learn about Navajo culture, spirituality, struggles, and joy. They worked side-by-side Navajo youth and adults to help repair and renew an abandoned Navajo Reservation Episcopal Mission Church which will be used as a Youth House beginning In the Fall. The group then traveled with their Indian friends through the sacred landscapes of Navajoland and capped off their trip with a visit to the Grand Canyon. The beauty of the scenic western U.S., the intrigue of Native American spirituality blended with Christianity, and the chance to work alongside Navajo teenagers were just a few of the amazing benefits of this year’s Sr. EYC mission trip.
Junior Youth Mission Trip 2009 Rural Mission, John’s Island, South Carolina
 Our youth stayed at St. Christopher’s Conference Center and had the wonderful experience of working at Rural Mission with migrant worker’s children and other light work such as moving equipment, cleaning, raking, planting, and painting. This was the third trip by our youth to St. Christopher.
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Sr EYC Ski Trip ….Two days of Fun and fellowship at Snowshoe Mountain, WV 
