Youth Programs

The Journey to Adulthood: Journey to Adulthood (Rite-13, J2A, and YAC) meet in the upstairs Youth Rooms and the Rector's office during the 10 AM Christian Formation Hour.

What is the Journey to Adulthood?

     Journey to Adulthood is a faith formation program for 11 to 18 year olds. Journey to Adulthood includes in-depth exploration of Self, Society, Sexuality, and Spirituality. It is based on two key concepts: Womanhood and Manhood are gifts from God; and Adulthood must be earned.

     The program is built around three distinct phases of development--each encompassing two years. Rite-13 (11 to 13 year olds) recognizes the passage from childhood to adulthood.  J2A works with 14 and 15 year olds as you practice adulthood skills and positive attitudes. The third segment, Young Adults in Church (YAC), is for those aged 16 years and older. This program asks you to assume the responsibilities of an adult.

     At St. Chrysostom’s, currently we have both a Rite-13 group and a J2A group, and a YAC group, with new groups entering every-other year.

Rite-13

     Depending on the year, Rite-13 begins when you are anywhere between eleven and thirteen years old (Grades 6 or 7). When you turn thirteen, this event is celebrated in the church with a service loosely modeled on a Jewish Bar Mitzvah. The two years of Rite-13 are fun. We play lots of games, laugh a lot, learn a lot. While matters are treated in  a lighthearted way, this does not mean that we avoid dealing with serious matters. A good deal of time is devoted to the great stories from our Bible and their vitality in our day. Among other things we deal with prayer, with the ways we see and encounter God, with possessions and their importance in our life, with trust in God on our faith journey together. Every effort is made to keep this process experiential, with a hands-on focus. Perhaps more than anything else, all activities are geared to build community, to establish trust and safety, to remind you again and again that this is your church, and you are safe and welcome within it.

J2A

     After two years in Rite-13 you move on to J2A. The dynamics between youth and adult mentor have radically changed. You are expected to take on greater leadership in the classroom and the church. Conversations and discussions are on a more mature plane.

     During the second year of the program, the group is given a course in preparation for Confirmation. At this point, many of you  are ready to make “a public affirmation of your faith and commitment to the responsibilities of your Baptism...” After four years in The Journey to Adulthood, participation in Confirmation becomes a mature decision made by spiritually equipped youth and places Confirmation in its proper context, not as a rite of passage, or an exit ritual, but  as a chance to confirm that which was said for you at your Baptism.

YAC

     Having completed four years in the Journey to Adulthood program, and having been confirmed at the Easter Vigil 2004, the Young Adults in Church are a wonderful community of young people. YAC seeks to nurture that community. We invite young people in YAC to take real leadership in the classroom and in the parish. We want to invite young people to serve as leaders in acolyting, and as readers and Lay Eucharistic Ministers in worship. The Rector will join the group to read and discuss one or two mutually-agreed upon classics of Christian literature during the year.