Christian Formation & Confirmation: please see Education & Formation page
EpiscoPosse
EpiscoPosse is our "Youth Group" for those in 4th & 5th Grade. This group meets for fellowship, study, and community service activities. See the Youth Calendar for the next events.
Youth Group
This group is for those in 6th - 12th grade. This group does various community service events to benefit our local community and the world. They meet at various times, so check the Youth Calendar for next events. This group also does fun activities like movies, game nights, and Lock-ins. They take an active role in the life of the church.
Youth Ministry Advisory Board
Members of Youth Board are Youth who have been nominated because of their leadership and particpation in worship, Christian Formation, Youth Group, and other areas of the church. Once a youth is nominated, their name goes before a committee who then picks the youth who show leadership and is a good example for children and youth. Youth Board meets four times a year as well as does a fun summer activity and a Lock-in. Youth Board members are active in church leadership roles and are full, voting members of several church committees. Youth are invited to join Youth Board in May by letter to serve the following program year. Youth Board Members chose the focus and programs for the children and youth ministries at Good Shepherd.
Mission Trip
Youth lead a mission trip every summer. In odd years, we do a major week long mission trip. This trip is designed to help the less fortunate. In July 2007, we went to Bayou La Batre, AL to do Hurricane Katrina repair. In June 2009, we went to Panama City, Florida to work where we helped hospice care by building a handicap ramp, painted a house, and cleaned up a house. For fun we went to the beach, did a cookout on the beach, went on a pirate cruise, and visited the World of Coca-Cola. In even years we do a mini-mission trip (Friday through Sunday) to the Appalacahin Mountains, where the poorest people in the United states live. We do home repair and help in the Outreach Center, St. Timothy's.
Pilgrimage
In Even years, the youth go on a spiritual journey. In Summer 2010, the youth are going on a Pilgrimage to Ireland to explore our Celtic Spirituality. In Summer 2008, we went to Greece to follow in the footsteps of St. Paul. In Summer 2006, we wen to California to explore Spanish Missions. Pilgrimage location is decided by Youth Board Members. The Pilgrimage is for Confirmed youth, especially youth being confirmed in May of the Pilgrimage year.
Mini-Retreats
A mini-retreat is a chance to take half a day and explore our spirituality. Past mini-retreats include Prayer in Life, St. Benedictine's Rule of Life, Confirmation, and Treating your Body as a Temple for the Holy spirti. See the Youth Calendar for the dates for the next Mini-retreat.
Fun-Shops
Fun-shops are intergenerational events designed to learn something, make something, and have fun. Past fun-shops include Anglican Prayer Beads, Jesse Tree, Advent Wreaths, Be the Church and more. See the Youth Calendar for the next Fun-shop. Usually a small fee to cover cost of object being made is charged.
30 Hour Famine
The 30 Hour Famine is done annually at Good Shepherd. Youth go 30 hours without food (juice fast) to raise awareness and save lives. Over 2/3 of the world lives in poverty. 26,000 children die everyday from hunger and hunger-related diseases. The youth of Good Shepherd decided to take a stand and save lives. In 2008, we fed 55 children for a year and raised over $24,000 to improve their lives. In 2009, we saved 122 children's lives, raising over $40,000. We spend the 30 hours learning, praying, and doing community service. The 30 Hour Famine is always done in Lent. The 2010 30 Hour Famine is scheduled for March 5-7. Please see Youth Calendar for the next dates.
Good Shepherd Youth was awarded the World Vision 2009 Award for its amazing efforts and the 122 lives we saved!
Acolyte Festival
Good Shepherd hosts an Annual Acolyte Festival which is full of games, workshops, fellowship and fun. The next Acolyte Festival is scheduled for October 3,2009. We start the Saturday with a Eucharist with all the parishes participating which is a celebration of the ministry of the acolyte. Many workshops are offered and each acolyte chooses four to attend. The workshops include learning, but also games and enrichment. After the workshops we all eat lunch together. Then the Acolyte Olympics start. These games are meant to be fun. The highlight each year is the Acolyte Obstacle Coarse. 2008's winner was Good Shepherd. Registration is required to get accurate lunch count. Cost is the cost of lunch.