Asheville, North Carolina
EXPLORE FAITH. EMBRACE COMMUNITY. MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
60 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801 | info@trinityasheville.org | Tel: 828-253-9361
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Youth Formation 2026-2027
Youth and Families at Trinity:
We're Glad you're Here!
Dear friends,
I’m Debbie Cox, and I’ve had the joy of serving as Trinity’s Youth Director for over twenty-five years. Our youth ministry is a place for students in grades 6 through 12 to grow in their faith, build friendships, and discover a sense of belonging.
As our young people transition out of children’s ministry, we walk alongside them as they deepen their understanding of faith and begin to take on meaningful roles in worship and service. Our youth serve as acolytes, read Scripture, and help lead in other ways, learning that they are an important part of this community right now—not just someday in the future.
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We gather as both middle school and high school groups on Sunday mornings during Formation Hour, and throughout the year we offer retreats and service opportunities that help strengthen friendships and deepen faith. Additionally, each summer, we offer the youth opportunities to take trips with each other to grow in belonging and, often, to do service work. In recent years, our middle schoolers have taken a week-long backpacking trip and our high schoolers have done missions trips to both Chicago and Ecuador.
The safety of our young people is very important to us. All of our volunteers are trained through Safe Church, and we are committed to creating a secure and supportive environment for every child and youth.
Above all, we aim to create a space where every young person feels known, valued, and loved—by God and by the community around them.
Wherever you are on your journey, you are welcome here.
Grace and peace,
Debbie Cox
Youth and Parish Life Director
Trinity Episcopal Church
debbie@trinityasheville.org | 828-253-9361
Youth Formation:
Sunday Morning | 9:30-10:30 AM
Middle School Class (grades 6-8)
The class meets in Trinity’s youth area and can be accessed from the stairs to the right of the Tuton Hall kitchen or from the outside door into the same stairway. The classroom is on the left past the game room.
We will wonder together about how God seeks to be with us in this life and guide us along the way. We will recognize the gifts God has given us, celebrate our creative potential, and learn to interact as a community of faith. Some of the questions we will wrestle with are: "Who is God?" and "Why am I here?"
High School Class (grades 9-12)
The overall objective for Trinity’s high school class is to inspire theological thinking and facilitate the growth of our young people’s faith. We see the high school years as the time when our youth need to transition from simple stories of the Bible to a more mature understanding of their Christian faith.
The high school class meets in Trinity’s youth area. It’s located under Tuton Hall and can be accessed from the stairs to the right of the Tuton Hall kitchen from the outside door into the same stairway. The classroom is located on the right side of the youth kitchen.
More Faith, Fun, and
Formation Opportunities
Confirmation 2027
Confirmation will be held on April 17, 2027. Information about classes and the confirmation retreat are TBD. If you're interested in confirmation, please email Amy at amy@trinityasheville.org
Trinity Youth Group (EYC)
Trinity’s EYC meets once a month, unless otherwise notified. This is a time for fellowship, fun, service projects, and social activities.
Dates for 2026-2027
September 13
October 15
November 15
December 6
January 10
February 21
March 7
April 4
May 2
Service Learning Trips
Each year, we take at least one week-long trip in the last week of July. We’ve been all over the map, from Houston to Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. We went on a Freedom Ride to Atlanta, Birmingham, Selma, and Montgomery in 2021. In 2022, we traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica, to assist at Ascension Episcopal Church, and traveled to Greece, walking the Footsteps of Paul. This past summer, we went to the Wilderness Trail in Troutdale, VA, and traveled to Ecuador.
On these life-changing trips, typically alternating between international and national locations, youth develop and practice skills in intercultural competency, leadership, and service learning while also building deeper relationships with adults of faith and expanding their view of the world.
Summer 2027 summer experiences and dates will be announced in November 2026.
Retreats & Camp
Part of the beauty of the Episcopal tradition is that individual parishes belong to the larger Church body. Retreats—whether weekend retreats or a week at Camp Henry—are essential, monumental times for students to meet other Episcopalians their age, go deeper in faith, and have some fun! Click the image above to learn more about Camp Henry.
Middle School Retreat
The Diocesan-sponsored Middle School Retreat is from Saturday, September to Sunday, September 25-27 at 1 pm at Lake Logan Conference Center, in Canton, NC. For these Diocesan-sponsored retreats, you inform Debbie Cox that you want to attend and then register directly at diocesewnc.org. The cost for this retreat is $150.
High School Retreat
This Diocesan-sponsored Fall Conference is held on Friday, November 20 from 7p — Sunday, November 22, 1p at Valle Crucis Conference Center. Again, for these Diocesan-sponsored retreats, you inform Debbie Cox that you want to attend and then register directly at diocesewnc.org.
There is also a Spring Conference: Friday, March 12 — Sunday, March 14 at 1p. For each retreat, the cost is $225.
Youth in Worship
As our youth grow we encourage them to begin taking their place in all the spaces of our church life. This includes regular Sunday worship. Regular worship is not just for adults; the church is not an adult-only space. All ages are welcome.
Acolyting (grades 3-12)
The acolyte’s role consists of lighting and carrying candles, flags, banners, and the Gospel book in the procession and assisting the priest at the altar with Holy Eucharist during our weekly worship. The term acolyte is Greek, meaning “to follow.”
Worship Ministers (grades 11-12)
As students move into adult faith, we welcome them as lectors and chalice bearers, serving in worship by reading the day’s lesson or distributing the consecrated wine.
Youth Sunday (May 9)
On one Sunday in May, youth help plan and lead all parts of our 10:45 worship service: music, ushering, preaching, and more.
Youth Calendar 2026-2027
We have a lot of fun and formative events in store for our youth over
the 2026-2027 academic year.
Be sure to sign up for our e-newsletter, This Week at Trinity (click here), and to read the Sunday Times in our bulletins to stay more informed about these events as they come up. Some of these events will require registration - any of the registration links can be found on our linktree (click here).
We are looking forward to a wonderful year with you and your family!
