Through rituals, weekly meetings, and religious practices, The Journey to Adulthood program (J2A) helps youth, their parents and the congregation mark the sacred transitions of the teenage years. As young people experience so many changes in their bodies, relationships, and ideas, their peers and adult mentors stand with them all the way. At the core of Journey to Adulthood is the conviction that manhood and womanhood are gifts from God, celebrating each young person's uniqueness and creativity as one created in God's image. The program is divided into three, two-year cycles: Rite-13, J2A and YAC. This fall starts the second year of the cycle, but new youth can join at any time. Other youth events include a Pool Party, Fall Lock-In, Diocesan Youth weekends, Spring Retreat, movies, fun trips, local outreach projects and visits to other congregations.

Check Out These Youth Pages and Activities:

The Journey of a Lifetime
Behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me.  Psalm 139:5
- a message from Josh Thomas, our Director of Youth and Young Adult Formation

A Journey's End ---- or, Is It?
 - a message from Arthur Villarreal, the leader of the first J2A graduating class

New Cycle of Youth Programs Begins 
In the Fall of 2007 a new, two-year cycle of youth programs—new rooms, new teachers, new activities! Sixth and seventh graders formed a brand new Rite-13 group. Rite-13 moves into J2A. J2A into YAC. Young people are invited to join the youth program anytime. Brief descriptions of each part of the program follow below, and the fall youth program calendar will be ready in early September.

Confirmation Class 
Youth in YAC (or age 16-18) are invited to explore more deeply the Christian faith and the Episcopal church, in preparation for receiving the sacrament of Confirmation in the spring. Confirmation is the liturgy where an individual makes an adult commitment of faith, accepting the baptismal vows made on his or her behalf as an infant or child, and receives a prayer by the bishop for the Holy Spirit's strength and guidance. The confirmation class will meet once monthly for prayer, study, service and visits to other communities of faith. Each youth will decide individually, at the end of the year, whether to receive the sacrament of confirmation at the end of the year. The class is open to all as a chance to explore questions of faith -- no commitment to being confirmed is required or expected up front. Detailed information will be mailed to YAC families.