Youth Formation

Education

Two of the groups use the Journey to Adulthood curriculum, with additional activities and lessons which have been adapted for our church, while the other group use lessons specifically designed for Grace. In the Journey program, our youth combine classroom instruction with community outreach activities - and, of course, lots of social events - to learn to live the Gospel.

• Rite 13 Our sixth and seventh graders are members of the group known as Rite 13. The name for this group comes from the ceremony that marks and celebrates the beginning of the teenage years that all youth in Rite 13 participate in to conclude this portion of the Journey program. The Rite 13 ceremony is also a recognition of the formation of the group of peers that they will be with throughout the entire Journey to Adulthood program.
• J2A Eighth and ninth graders are members of J2A, which is simply an acronym for the name of the entire program. Participating youth delve deeper into issues of spirituality, personal faith, and interpersonal relationships. At the end of their two years in this group, they will take a spiritual pilgrimage to a destination chosen by the members of the group. The pilgrimage seeks to integrate the learning and the relationships of this segment of the program. Grace pilgrims have traveled to the Lakota Reservation in S. Dakota, to the Cathedrals of England, to Italy in study of St. Francis and St. Clare, to Greece to study the writing of St. Paul, to Spain to study St. James and walk portions of the Camino and most recently to Ireland to study St. Patrick.
• YAC Tenth - twelfth graders are members of the fourth and final group known as YAC, which stands for Young Adults in the Church. This part of the Journey program is a culmination of preparation for becoming adult members of the church. YAC youth spend time preparing for the rite of Confirmation. Our goal is that, as the youth finish their high school years, they are ready to go forth into the world with the ability to live into the faith journey begun and formed here at Grace. This group provides leadership in whole group activities for the Journey program and meets on most Sunday mornings at the coffee house for a more informal sharing and study of the scripture. YAC members are encouraged to be trained and serve in adult church roles such as Lector and Lay Eucharistic Minister.

Choristers

Youth in grades 5 - 8 are invited to join Senior Choristers and older youth are welcome to participate in Parish Choir.
> learn more about the music program

Youth Retreat

Our entire youth group and leadership begins the academic year with a retreat. The retreat is a wonderful and fun-filled spiritual experience.

January Lock-In

One of the highlights of the year is the January lock-in which combines social activities with moving prayer at the stroke of midnight. Almost 60 Grace youth and their friends attended last year.

Annual Pilgrimage Auction

The J2A Auction is held each spring as the primary fundraiser for the pilgrimage which completes the middle section of the Journey program. This exciting and entertaining event offers a multitude of silent auction items and a live auction of beautiful art, sports and concert tickets, vacation getaways, and other wonderful donations.

Acolytes

Acolytes assist the clergy and other worship leaders with our worship services on Sundays and at other times. All youth in grades six through twelve are invited to serve as an acolyte. Initial and ongoing training with regard to duties is provided. Contact the parish office to express interest in serving as an acolyte.

Other Opportunities for Youth

There will be many additional opportunities for Grace Church youth over the next year. These include the wonderful programs organized by the Diocese of Atlanta, such as New Beginnings, Happening, diocesan youth conferences, and the annual Hunger Walk, as well as numerous other events sponsored by Grace Church.