Youth Ministry
Our Mission…
…is to create a sanctuary for every young person to experience the love of Christ. Our youth are building a foundation of faith in a safe and inclusive community. In real and relevant ways, our young people are taking their place in their community, their church, and the world, loving and serving others in the example of Jesus.
Christian Formation
Youth Formation (Sunday School) is one of the many places where we learn more about scripture, and the ways that God is active in our world today. All youth (middle and high schoolers) are invited to join Youth Staff at the Youth House each week from 10:15-11:00am for a conversation on the weeks’ readings!
Weekly Youth Group Activities
Most youth activities meet in the Youth House, a converted residence at the corner of Solana Road and Golf View Circle (across the street from the church campus). With a full kitchen, pool and ping pong tables, basketball court and tons of seating, it’s the perfect spot for youth to unwind, connect, and explore their faith together. Our red front door symbolizes sanctuary – this is a safe place for all who enter.
Weekly youth group meetings include games, a devotional message and conversation, and prayer.
Homework & Hangs: Every Wednesday from 3:30-4:30 pm, 6-12th Grade Students are invited to drop by and hang out at the Youth House! Our time together is unstructured, but supervised social time. We’ll have snacks and drinks available for everyone who attends, please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions so we can have something for you. Students are invited to bring their homework, invite a friend, and hang out!
Low Tide: Middle School Youth Group (grades 6-8) meets weekly on Wednesday, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm.
High Tide: High School Youth Group (grades 9-12) meets weekly on Wednesday, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
Confirmation
The Rite of Confirmation is for all those in the 9th-12th grades and above wishing to confirm their baptismal vows and make a mature commitment to Christ and the church.
Our 2022-2023 Process is underway! Interested 9-12th Grade students are invited to learn more about Confirmation by visiting this page. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to a member of our Youth Staff.
Outreach
Through outreach, we share the love of God in Christ with those in need. We partner with several organizations throughout Jacksonville and the Beaches community, including BEAM, Mission House, and Church Without Walls. We have carried Christ’s love into the world during mission trips to Charlotte, Miami, and Bolivia. Our mission weeks for the summer of 2023 for youth can be found here.
The first Friday of every month, we meet at Mission House at 4:30 to cook and serve dinner to our neighbors experiencing homelessness. We are done by 6:30. If you are interested in joining us, contact Brooks to let him know you’ll be there.
Contact
Brooks Slater
Director of Youth Ministries
904- 878-3940
[email protected]
Dana Van Ostrand
Assistant Director of Youth and Family Ministries
[email protected]
402-405-1936
Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date with what’s going on in the Christ Episcopal Church youth ministry program, and see pictures from the most recent youth events.
Upcoming Events
2023 Hometown Mission Week
June 25-30, 2023
Cost: $200 for Youth Participants ~ $125 for High School leaders
We are so excited to offer another hometown mission week for our students this summer. We’ll spend time learning about the unique needs in our Jacksonville and Beaches communities, serve with outreach partners, and have tons of fun! This week is a hybrid of a day-camp experience with two overnight lock-ins and a trip down the Itchetuknee at the end of the week!
We will also once again have high school volunteers help lead our Hometown Mission Week. This is a great way to have a positive impact on the young people in our community and to hone leadership skills. Rising 10th graders and older should register as high school volunteers.
Click Here to register for the Hometown Mission Week.
Click Here to register as a High School Leader for Hometown Mission Week.
The Lighthouse
Christ Church Youth Ministry welcomes all youth to our programs, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We also host a safe space for LGBTQIA+ teens called The Lighthouse. For more information about The Missing Voices Project and The Lighthouse, click here.
Diocesan Events
The Diocese of Florida offers several single day and overnight events. The Youth Ministry promotes and participates in Diocesan events including New Beginnings, Happening, BreakOut, and Summer Camp at Camp Weed. For more information visit www.campweed.org