Youth Fellowship
Youth Ministries Vision
St. Francis Church recognizes that our youth are on their own journey of faith and need a place to explore that faith, their relationship with God and with each other. In addition to involving children and youth throughout our worship and parish life, we have programs and activities specifically designed for their growth and development.
From the moment they first enter our church through their high school years, we want our children to feel connected to the parish family as they learn to become full participants in the community of God. At every level, a team of teachers lead important and entertaining curriculums.
At St. Francis Church we recognize that our youth are the present and future of our church and community. Through nurturing and educating, we can provide them with a strong Christian faith and well-grounded life skills that will guide them in their journey through life.
Youth Leaders 2007
Click Here to View Parish Photos!
Youth Calendar and Reminders
Weekly Schedule
Thursdays
4:15 p.m. Choristers (Choir Room)
Sundays
9:45 a.m. Children's Service (Chapel) followed by Sunday School
10 a.m.
Holy Eucharist (Church)
Reminders
-Church Office Hours: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday,
9 a.m. to noon Friday.
Information for the Youth of St. Francis
YAC (High School Grads):
- Advisors are Fabrizio and Kristina Pela.
J2A (High School Group):
- Leaders Caitlin Miles and Will Gatlin will meet with all Senior High Youth every other Sunday. (Read their bios in the September Bellringer.)
- Leaders Sabrina Gutierrez and R. J. Amador will coordinate outings for all High School Junior and Seniors the second Friday of each month.
(Read their bios in the September Bellringer.)
- Jill Fenske, Kelly Lynch and Harry Bellows will offer support as well with a primary focus on missions work.
J2A (Juniors and Seniors):
-From here forward, J2A will be collecting the following items for the
St. Luke's Shower Program for the Homeless: Clothes, bags, blankets, socks, shoes, underwear and towels. Please drop them off in the J2A collections box in the Narthex or in the Church Office.
- Meeting every second Saturday of the month for breakfast and conversation. Come to the Original Pancake House on PCH near Bristol Farms at 8:45 a.m.
Rite 13 (7th & 8th Graders):
- Leaders are Hank and Suzanne Gatlin; Alex and Jennifer Sams (also known as JASH).
- Some Sundays - Meeting 11:30 a.m., Board Room.
ACME* (5th & 6th Graders):
*Acme - noun meaning - highest point, as of achievement.
- New! Your own social/spiritual youth group will be led once a month by Polly Parras. Look for upcoming events. Harry Bellows will be on hand to offer his support.
Sunday School Children:
- Sunday School begins at 10 a.m. in the Education Building after a brief service in Chapel at 9:45 a.m.
- Workshop Cycles Instruction - "The Moses Chronicle". The children will learn about the life of Moses and try to memorize the Ten Commandments as they participate in story, art, kitchen and drama workshops.
- For teaching our children and helping them grow in the Lord, a big thank you to all the Sunday School Teachers and Shepherds.
-Heidi Reber is the Director of Christian Education.
St. Francis Chorister Members:
- St. Francis Chorister choir is open for new members for Fall 2007. All children ages 8 and up who
are fluent readers and who like to sing are welcome. No previous musical
experience is necessary. Rehearsals are each Thursday at 4:15 p.m. Call the church office for more information (310) 375-4617 or e-mail ostracism@yahoo.com
- Rehearsals are on Thursday afternoons at 4:15 p.m. in the Choir Room.
School
Year Schedule for St. Francis Youth
Journey to Adulthood
This is a six-year program of spiritual formation for the young people at St. Francis Church. This program provides a liturgical frame 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. Journey to Adulthood is a systematic curriculum within a complete youth program. The program falls into three distinct phases: Rite 13, J2A and YAC.
Rite 13
The Rite 13 program assists young people as they take the first steps of passage away from their families and into their own lives. It begins with a liturgical celebration of the gift of womanhood and manhood. During these three years, the community acknowledges the gift of gender, celebrates the creative power and potential of these young people and creates a safe haven for them to explore new ideas, new interests and new abilities.
J2A (Journey to Adulthood)
The journey to adulthood is the heart of this entire program. It blends action and contemplation in teaching young people faithful living. To prepare them for adulthood, the teenagers learn the basic skills of active listening, negotiation, assertion, research/information management, partnership and leadership. The program also helps them understand and affirm Christian living. After two years they are given an opportunity to be confirmed and are acknowledged in the community as equipped for new levels of responsibility. They are recognized as young adults and are invited to make a holy pilgrimage.
YAC (Young Adults in the Church)
YAC encourages the older youth to take on adult responsibilities in all aspects of parish life and life in the community. These youth are challenged to become good stewards to their time, talent and treasure. Guided by adult advisors, they use the Anglican model of Scripture, reason and the tradition of the Church to guide their lifelong pilgrimage in their faith.
