Upcoming Youth Events
Ministry to Youth
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 Christian Formation
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 scripture reading and discussion about how those Biblical stories relate to their lives as middle and high school students, and their own faith. Our study this year will include examining God's will for our lives, Our salvation through Jesus Christ, Jesus' teachings through The Beatitudes and various parables, The Lord's Prayer, The Trinity and Revelations.
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.
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 5:30 – 7:00 PM, 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: meghan@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.
• Junior Youth Calendar • Senior Youth Calendar
Jr. EYC (6th-8th grades) Coordinators
Robin Edson
Linda Duerson
Tray Light (St. Paul's)
Sr. EYC (9th-12th grades) Coordinators
Nancy Naisawald
Pam Bradford
Paula Ryan Feinman
Bootie Thelin (St. Paul's)
Lee Pat Kelleher (St. Paul's)
EYC Activities
Outreach in the community
Pictured below is Lynchburg Grows...Outreach to help feed the hungry.
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Parish Life
Cooking casseroles for shut-ins
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Middle School Dances
St. John’s hosts two Middle School Dances each year
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Sr EYC Ski Trip
Two days of Fun and fellowship at Snowshoe Mountain, WV
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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.
Confirmation
Young Adults who are in the 10th 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 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:
| 2011 | 2012 | |
| Pam Bradford | Paula Ryan Feinman | |
| John Casler | Chesley Vohden | |
| Robin Edson | Bootie Thelin (St. Paul’s) | |
| Nancy Naisawald | Ron Thelin (St. Paul’s) | |
| Marty Watts | ||
| Lee Pat Kelleher (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 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.
2011 Senior Mission Trip
Holy Cross Anglican School on Ambergris Cay
San Mateo, Belize
The first thing that struck us was the heat and humidity. Leaving Lynchburg with temperatures in the nineties, we thought we would have been acclimatized to the environment but that would not be the case. Humidity makes the temperature seem higher. Then there were the mosquitoes. Going to another country always presents new experiences and learnings. This was certainly the case as we arrived.
Shortly after our arrival on Ambergris Cay on Sunday afternoon, we were greeted by Lydia Brown, the volunteer coordinator for Holy Cross Anglican School, along with Mike, her husband, and son, Jonathan. She introduced us to the school with a walking tour of the neighborhood. The tour revealed a village built atop a swampy environment. Small rooms were constructed from available materials on pilings above the pungent water below. Windows were simply openings cut in the plywood or siding. Conditions inside must have been cramped. This was San Mateo, the poorest area on Ambergris Cay, and the fortunate site of Holy Cross Anglican School.
In six years, a miracle has been constructed and lives are being transformed. That is certainly true for those who attend Holy Cross and it is true for those of us fortunate enough to participate in this year’s senior mission trip. Sunday’s tour introduced us to the environment and the work ahead.
Each morning we held a “Sports, Bible stories, and Crafts Camp.” Monday was overcast following a night of rain. We were thankful for the clouds and lower temperatures but the water puddles on our “athletic field” were another matter. But our children forged ahead with soccer and kickball dodging the puddles. While retrieving a soccer ball, Hunt McCarthy spotted a crocodile nearby.
After time for sports, we returned to the school cafeteria adorned with the VBS banner from St. John’s and the encouraging wishes of many young hands. Our students received sun visors that they personalized with their names and various stickers and art. This really helped us get to know each child by name. We began with PB&J along with bananas and watermelon accompanied by water and juice. The children ate hungrily and for many this may have been their first meal of the day. Second servings were received with delight.
Then it was time for the Bible story, crafts and music. We learned that controlling 40 to 50 children from the ages of 2-15 in the cafeteria was less than ideal. So we spread out using the library and two classrooms as well. We got better as the week went on and though their numbers grew, so did the children. Matthew Sackett had a mesmerizing effect on the students as his guitar led music and singing.
Our team consisted of Isabel Baldwin, Will Casler, Thacher Jennings, Clark Lupton, Hunt McCarthy, Matthew Sackett, Julia Vohden, Leah Wingfield along with Stephen Simmons, Drake Watts and Sallie and Bill Watson as sponsors. We grew together and learned from one another building relationships that will grow from here.
The work we did may in some way encourage the lovely children that we met and worked with that week. It is certain that to quote the famous preacher, William Sloan Coffin, our students will look back at this week as an “important experience” in their formation. We have all been changed by the experience and the magnitude of that change will be apparent over the course of our lives.
Be sure to check out the photo gallery to see pictures from this trip!
