Youth Ministry | Faith Formation | Saint Andrew Lutheran Church

Youth Ministry at St. Andrew

St. Andrew has many opportunities for the youth to be involved in the total life and ministry of the church through Bible study and scripture, service activities, and fellowship, as we grow in faith together.

Looking for a church community to belong to? A safe place for your Youth to explore faith and their identity? At St. Andrew we are prioritizing making spaces for youth to connect and come just as they are. Find ways to join us.

Year Round Calendars

Programming calendars for 2023-2024 are now available!

Our Faith Formation Committee, using input from our families, put together a convienent calendar for families to view. These calendars have important dates regarding Sunday School, Youth Group, Retreats & Trips, and more. Please email the church to get a copy if you are interested.

BRAND NEW - SAND VOLLEYBALL COURT

We loved playing Volleyball so much - we made our own!

After our summer service trip at Mountain T.O.P. we discovered ALL of our kids had something in comming: Athletic ability OR the ability to be great cheerleaders and supporters to one another. What better way to continue that cultivation than to make a court of our own? Thanks to some incredible people we had a court less than a month later!

We are thrilled to be able to use this and for all the joy that it is sure to bring.

Youth Monthly Programming

What are you looking for? Come and find it.

As we enter the 2023-2024 School Year - we know that your lives are filled with school, clubs, activities, family events, and so much more. At St. Andrew we work to be a support for you throughout that and a place that you can rely on for support and stability.

We make an enourmous effort to get feedback from families and parents about what programming should look like so that your families can particpate in them!

Here's what we have planned this year, each month for your students:

Youth Group (Available for 6-12 Graders): Taking place two times a month we will gather students together for fellowship, connection, conversations, and a place for your youth to show up and be themselves. This year we gather twice a month (See our calendars for more specifics) and would love to have you join us! This year we're going to focus on making partenerships with congregation members and have some people who are really looking forward to hosting us at their house.
Confirmation (Available for 7-8 Graders): This two-year program will teach your students all about what it means to be a Lutheran. Students will work closely with our Pastor to learn the fundamentals behind worship, the catechism, and so much more. Students should be able to answer the question: "What does faith look like for you now?". This group gathers for retreats as well as weekly during our time between services.
Sunday School (Available for All Ages): Students are split into age appropriate classrooms where they'll discuss the gospel lesson of the day through interactive conversations and activities. This year specifically, our high school youth are being empowered to discuss Social Justice topics and how they feel church and God plays a part in them.
If your students are passionate about Music, Choir, or playing instruments they are more than welcome to join our choir which meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-8:30. There are plenty of opportunities and it doesn't have to be a weekly commitment if that doesn't work for you.

If you are interested in more, or would like to discuss other programming you would like to see at St. Andrew reach out to Director of Family Ministries, Haley Rhoads, at haley@saintandrewchurch.com.

Youth Group Volunteer Sign-Up

2024 Summer Coming Soon!

Throughout the year we prioritize offering opportunities for Service Trips, Youth Camps, Retreats, Lock-In's and More!

Here's what you can expect for our 2024 Summer for Youth:

AFFIRM: June 9-14: AFFIRM is an ELCA Synod Wide event that gathers Youth from the Southern States for a week of learning, fellowship, and community in age appropriate units. Students have the choice to pick which unit they'd like to particpate in throughout the week.
- Sign-Up HERE.
Mountain T.O.P.: June 23-30: We will be return to the mission organization, Mountain T.O.P., which gathers participants from over 21 states to serve physical, spiritual, emotional and social needs of people within rural Appalachia. Along with attending camp and daily service opportunities - we will be provided with daily activities, worships, and fellowship opportunities that will build life-long relationships between the people of our church and others.
- Sign-Up HERE.
National ELCA Youth Gathering: July 16-20: Every three years, thousands of high school youth and their adult leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives.
- Sign-Up Here

SIGN UP'S ARE OPEN NOW AND CLOSING BY OCTOBER 15.

To plan the events that we are offering, we need the time to prepare and plan properly. That being said we're hoping you sign-up sooner rather than later. ALL ARE WELCOME. You don't have to be a St. Andrew Member to particpate.