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 Recognition
Click Here to View Parish Photos!
Youth Calendar and Reminders
Weekly Schedule
Sundays
9:45 a.m. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (3-4 year olds)
9:45 a.m. Children's Sunday School (PreK-5 year olds-through 5th grade)
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
Sunday School Children:
- Sunday for the children begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
- Sunday School - Workshop Cycles Instruction - The children will 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.
- For detailed information, go to the Sunday School web page.
5th & 6th Graders:
- You are invited to take a journey this year meeting twice a month from Sundays, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Make new friends; grow your faith, serve your church, discover yourself . . . and eat a laugh as well. Bobbie Carpenter will be your leader.
Rite 13 (7th & 8th Graders):
- Kristen Huber will be your leader. Kristen is very excited to work with the youth of St. Francis. Kristen joined the parish last year and was married at St. Francis Church in October, 2007. She is currently the Activities Director at Palos Verdes High School.
J2A (Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors):
Teens! If you are looking for ways to serve in the coming months,
please consider the following:
o Baby sit (gratis) at the church nursery during the two church services.
o Write letters and/or help wrap care packages for soldiers.
o Serve as an Acolyte, Lector, child care or Catechesis helper at church.
o Consider giving a sermon at the next youth-led service.
o Contact Malia Blew at maliakb22@gmail.com to help the homeless.
o Contact Tori Arnold to donate blankets or a monitory donation to Whiskers & Tails Foundation, a non-profit animal rescue organization.
o . . . and call for more ideas from Kristina Pela.
- Kristina and Fabrizio Pela will lead the spiritual formation meetings for all high schoolers twice a month. The Pelas have been active with the youth of St. Francis for many years, as J2A leaders and then leading summertime spiritual formation for the college students of St. Francis. Kristina has served on the Vestry for Children and Youth Ministries. The Pelas are excited to work once again with the J2A youth.
(YAC) Young Adults in Church:
- Kristina and Fabrizio Pela will continue to be the leaders of young adults at St. Francis which met during the summer. Look for announcements of future meetings especially near Christmas!
St. Francis Chorister Members:
- St. Francis Chorister choir is always open for new members. 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 stfrancischoirs@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.
