Journey to Adulthood
The Journey to Adulthood program is
a curriculum for young people in the Episcopal Church that is divided into
three segments based on grade level. This program of spiritual formation for
young people provides a liturgical framework for their experience in our
modern culture, celebrates their individuality and their creative potential,
and instructs them in skills needed for successful adult participation in
church and society. The program is rooted in two key concepts: (1) Manhood and
womanhood are gifts from God, and (2) Adulthood must be earned. Each segment of
the program includes in-depth exploration of four key components of a whole
person: Self, Spirituality, Sexuality, and Society. The Journey to Adulthood balances
Bible study, prayer, and both serious and playful activities to nurture the
whole person during the challenges of the journey from childhood to adulthood.
Journey to Adulthood classes are held in the Education Center each Sunday at 9:00 AM and are divided into three separate classes according the grade level.
Journey to Adulthood classes are held in the Education Center each Sunday at 9:00 AM and are divided into three separate classes according the grade level.
Rite 13 (6th-7th grade)
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The Rite-13 program assists young
people as they take the first steps of passage away from their families and
into their own lives. Rite 13 celebrates the individuality of each young person
and their creative potential. The liturgical “Celebration of Manhood and Womanhood,”
a rite of passage ceremony (also known as the “Rite 13 Liturgy”), is celebrated
close the young person’s 13th birthday and is an integral part of
this group’s curriculum. Rite 13 is also geared toward the building of
community, establishing trust and safety, and reminding young people again and
again that this is their church, and they are safe, welcome, and fully included
within it.
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J2A (8th-9th Grade)
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J2A is the heart of the Journey to
Adulthood program—it blends action and contemplation in teaching young people
faithful living. J2A helps them understand and affirm Christian living and
community while focusing on the development of critical thinking skills and
other tools they will need to be fully functioning Christian adults in the
world. After two years, J2A culminates with a spiritual pilgrimage, which is
often a life-changing experience for members of the group.
J2A also incorporates the sacrament of Confirmation and prepares students to make the important decision of claiming their adult faith as their own. This process concludes with a Confirmation service toward the end of the second year of the program. |
YAC - "Young adults in the church" (10th-12th grade)
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Our older youth spend time together
exploring their roles as young adults and finding their vocations in the
church, their communities, and the world. This group explores and discovers
their God-given gifts and the ways that they can share these gifts as young
adults with the world. They also have an opportunity to get to know each other as well as members of the congregation and learn how and why they chose their vocations.
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