Youth Living and Sharing Their Faith
"Encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God,
who calls you into his kingdom and glory." --1 Thess. 2:12
St. Mark's Youth Ministry is grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ to empower God's people to live and share the faith by providing
opportunities for faith exploration through community, leadership, education and renewal.
.
Family Ministry
Christian Education
Ministry for Middle School
Ministry for Senior High
Summer Ministry
.
Family Ministry
Family Supper - This is an opportunity for families to eat together at church before Wednesday night activities. No sign up is neccessary,
just come and enjoy a meal and great conversation.Dinner is served from 5:15 to 6 pm.
Christian Education
God in Life Confirmation (6th, 7th & 8th grade) - Wednesday evenings from 6:00-7:00 pm (September through May). Students have the opportunity to discover God in their lives by learning more about the teachings of Christ and Lutheran traditions. In this program, students meet weekly in small groups for fellowship, fun and study. Confirmands are expected to complete worship hours, church service hours, a community-giving project, and attend summer camp after 7th grade. A fee of $45 for 6th & 7th grade and $85 for 8th grade is charged to cover
programmatic costs. For more information, contact Carrie Stiles.
Confirmation Mentorship (9th grade) - The final year of St. Mark's confirmation program connects each student with an adult member of the church for a year of mentoring. Events of learning, relationship building, faith exploration, and fellowship are planned on a monthly basis throughout the year for youth and their mentors. A fee of $55 is charged to cover programmatic costs.
Ministry for Middle School
Colla Voce Choir (5th-12th grade) - Do you like to sing? Add your voice to the Colla Voce Choir! This choir sings twice a month during Sunday worship services
and rehearses on Wednesday nights from 4:45 to 5:30 pm. Check out the Music Ministries page and contact
Bob Murphy or Dorothea Jirsa if you are interested.
Prime Time Players (5th-8th grade) - Youth rehearse and perform faith-based dramas. Check out the Drama Ministries page and contact Judy Larkins if you are interested.
SOS (Singing on Sundays) Leadership Team (6th-8th grade) - Lend your voice to lead the Sunday School children in songs during their opening then assist a teacher in a Sunday School class. Contact Judy Larkins if you are interested.
Ministry for Senior High
M&Ms (Music & Ministry) Leadership Team (9th - 12th Grade) - A ministry of music and message for the confirmation program, the M&Ms help lead singing, perform skits, and lead games throughout the year. Team members then gather
and participate in a peer group Bible reflection or faith discussion.
TIM (Teens in Ministry) Team Leadership Team (10th - 12th Grade) - TIM team members are trained to plan, publicize and carry out events for younger youth and provide leadership for fun high school events. TIM team involves working directly with
younger youth and peers. A weeklong training experience at Luther Point for team building, planning and developing leadership skills is required. Priority is given to 11th and 12 graders.
Spirit Drama Production - Be part of a cast to rehearse and perform a faith-based drama. Visit the Drama Ministries page and contact Judy Larkins if you are interested.
Colla Voce Choir (5th-12th grade) - Do you like to sing? Add your voice to the Colla Voce Choir! This choir sings twice a month during Sunday worship services
and rehearses on Wednesday nights from 4:45 to 5:30 pm. Check out the Music Ministries page and contact
Bob Murphy or Dorothea Jirsa if you are interested.
Summer Ministry
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
-Psalm 19:1
Summer camping can be an important part of the formation of a young person's faith and it is an important part of St. Mark's ministry. We require youth to attend summer camp the summer after their 7th grade year in order to be confirmed.
Summer Stretch (6th-8th grade) - Meets on Wednesdays from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm for seven weeks in the summer. This program offers service, fun activities, friends and summertime...what more can you ask for?! Summer Stretch "stretches" our youth by involving them in service projects
in the morning and allows them to play together in the afternoon with fun field trips. For more information, contact Carrie Stiles.
Mission Trips (9th-12th Grade) - Mission work is not done just to make a difference in the lives of others. We believe strongly in mission work because it makes a difference in the life, the heart, and the faith of our youth!
Taking youth cross-country gives a unique opportunity to experience God in a new and real way. Mission trips occur during even-numbered years.
1998: West Hamlin, West Virginia
2000: Blackfeet Reservation, Montana
2002: Bayou La Batre, Alabama
2004: Iringa, Tanzania (See Mission Trips)
2004: Delbarton, West Virginia
2006: Bayou LaBatre, Alabama
Adventure Camps (9th-12th grades)
During odd-numbered years, students experience the majestic beauty of God's creation by exploring some of the far reaches of God's wilderness. These experiences stretch youth physically, as well as stretching their growing faith.
