Christian Formation & Confirmation: Please see Youth Classes
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 grades. 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 our 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 participation 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 are 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 April and 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 Appalachian Mountains, where the poorest people in the United states live. We do home repair and help in the Outreach Center, St. Timothy's. In 2011, we will leave for Chicago on June 19 to aid the homeless, the hungry, those suffering, and make a difference in an urban setting.
Pilgrimage
In Even years, the youth go on a spiritual journey. In Summer 2010, the youth went 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 went 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 Spirit. See the Youth Calendar for the dates for the next mini-retreat.
Fun-Shops
Fun-shops are inter-generational 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. There is usually a small fee to cover the cost of what is being made.
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 had over 80 participants and we raised over $60,000. The 2011 Famine brought another successful year of saving children's lives and we raised $64,000. Please see Youth Calendar for the next dates. Good Shepherd Youth was awarded the World Vision 2009 Award and the 2010 Award for its amazing efforts and the over 1000 lives we saved! Next 30 Fmaine is in March 2012
Acolyte Festival
Good Shepherd hosts an annual Acolyte Festival that is filled with fellowship, games, workshops, and more. cost is $10 to cover lunch and snacks. This is open to all parishes in the diocese. The 2012 Acolyte Festival is scheduled for April.
