Youth

St. John’s Youth ride roller coasters at theme parks and build structures and relationships in developing countries. We eat pizza on retreat weekends and deliver food to the hungry and homeless. We hang with people our age and sing carols to our senior friends many times our age.

All of that and more makes St John’s Youth a group that comes together for worship, outreach, discipleship, fellowship…. and fun. St John’s is all about meeting people wherever they are in their spiritual journey and the same is true for our youth program.

Participation in Worship

Acolytes serve at the altar on Sundays and other occasions. All youth in fifth grade or older are eligible to become Acolytes. Training is held periodically. Youth Lectors read the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures during the 9:00 Sunday service. Training is held individually with clergy direction. Youth Choir Members contribute greatly to the worship experience.

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Sunday School

Youth gather from 11:15-12:00 p.m. on select Sunday mornings of the academic year in the lower level classrooms. Each conversation centers around Scripture and how it relates to our lives. Visit our EVENT CALENDAR for scheduled Sunday morning gatherings.

Contact Person:  

Nic Mandolini

Confirmation

Youth in grades 9-12 are invited to participate in confirmation classes, an opportunity to grow in their relationship with God and to make a mature, public affirmation of their faith in Christ. Classes begin each year in January.

Contact Person:  

Nic Mandolini

Youth Group

Youth in grades 6-8 and 9-12 gather separately on Sunday evenings once or twice per month for fellowship, service, games, dinner, and compline. Past themes have included Survivor, College Care Packages, Olympics, Creation Care, Hungry Hungry Hippos, and more!

Contact Person:  

Nic Mandolini

Small Groups

Global Philanthropy Leaders (GPL) is a small group for high school students which meets for lunch and discussion once a month on Sundays from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Participants apply for the entire program and learn about global philanthropy, personal finance, and global poverty by investing in micro-loans around the world.

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Special Events

Civil Rights Pilgrimage (bi-annually) - mature middle schoolers and high schoolers travel as pilgrims to significant civil rights sites in the south on a three-year rotating basis. Pilgrimages feature museums and culturally important sites in Montgomery, Atlanta, and Birmingham, respectively.

Universal Studios Trip (January) - pure fun in the parks of Universal is a great way to build and strengthen friendships. All 6-12 grade youth are welcome.

Mission Team (Summer) - youth entering grades 9-12 are invited to serve and learn in Cuba, Ecuador, or a domestic location for a week in June or July. This is a significant time commitment to fundraising and team meetings before and after the actual mission trip. Confidential scholarships are available.

Diocesan Involvement

Camp Weed is our diocesan camp and conference center, located in Live Oak, Florida. Among many other programs, they host a youth summer camp. Campers of all faith backgrounds are welcome to attend. More information is available on the Camp Weed website.

New Beginnings is an annual fall retreat designed for youth in grades 6-8. During the weekend, participants meet peers from across the diocese, enjoy skits, listen to talks, and participate in small group activities and discussions.

“Happening” is a renewal weekend for youth in grades 10-12 from across the Diocese of Florida. The retreat occurs three times per year, in September, January, and April. It is a weekend planned entirely by a team of high school youth, and involves fun, games, sharing, surprises, and spiritual renewal.

Youth B.E.A.T. Week

Youth B.E.A.T. (Being. Extraordinary. Around. Tallahassee.) is a service-oriented camp offered at the beginning of June for youth entering grades 6-12. Although this is a faith-based camp, the week is open to all youth in the Tallahassee area. Participants earn 25 service hours and gain a wider perspective of who makes up our community while serving at five different local organizations during the week. There is a fee for the week, but confidential scholarships are available.

Contact Person:  

Nic Mandolini

Leadership

Youth ministry at St. John’s is successful due to a team of dedicated volunteers. Please contact us if you are interested in serving as a youth advisor, or as a member of our Youth Commission.

Contact Person:  

Nic Mandolini

To learn more about upcoming gatherings, see our EVENT CALENDAR.


Resources

To participate in youth ministry offerings at St. John’s, first please complete the Youth Information Form, valid for one academic year.