Youth Programs

Saint Andrew’s uses the Journey to Adulthood, a complete youth ministry curriculum of spiritual formation for 6th through 12th graders. It uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries and serious and playful activities to underscore its two guiding principles: that manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God and that adulthood must be earned.

Our youth gather for dinner on Sunday evenings twice a month (generally the second and fourth Sundays) during the school year. After a shared meal, they split into groups for various activities, such as games, movies or off-premises outings.

The program consists of three two-year segments:

Rite-13

Rite-13: The first two years (6th and 7th or 7th and 8th grades) focus on celebrating the individuality of each young person and their creative potential. The Rite-13 liturgy (A celebration of Manhood and Womanhood) is the community expression of this and a rite of passage from childhood toward adulthood.

J2A

J2A: The middle portion of the program (8th and 9th or 9th and 10th grades) engages youth with the skills and critical thinking involved in adulthood. The youth plan and embark on a pilgrimage together at the end of this segment, which is often the spiritual highlight of their youth.

YAC

YAC (Young Adults in the Church): This is a mentor-based program that helps older teens (11th and 12th grades) discern and carry out a ministry within their church or in the larger community. Vocation and development of a personal credo are also emphasized. A final rite of passage sends them out into the world as ambassadors of Christ.

Rite-13, J2A, and YAC sit together for worship at the 10 a.m. services, and classes meet after communion until noon, September through May. Rite-13 meets in Room 330; J2A meets in Room 131; and YAC meets in Room 324.