Youth ministry at Trinity is active, thriving, and comes in many forms, all working together to build adult faith in our students from 6th to 12th grade. Formation comes through acolyting, service learning trips, retreats, community service hours, Sunday formation hour, and Trinity EYC.
Sunday Formation
Middle School Class (grades 6-8)
9:30-10:30a
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. The classroom is on the left past the game room.
We will wonder together about the ways in which 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
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“Who am I?”
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“Who is God?"
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“Why am I Here?"
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High School Class (grades 9-12)
9:30-10:30a
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 or from the outside door. The classroom is the first room on the right of the youth kitchen.
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 for moving from simple stories of the Bible to a more mature understanding of Christian faith.
explore faith + embrace community + expect & make a difference
Summer 2023 Youth Summer Experience - Blue Theology, Beaufort, North Carolina
Youth Formation 2023-24
Confirmation 2024
The youth confirmation class is offered every year, and is open to 6th- 12th graders. Because the class is taught at a level that is slightly higher than the average sixth grader is used to, some students will choose to wait to take part. Students who have already been confirmed are also welcome to join the group.
Beginning January 14, we will meet for six sessions; to be confirmed, you'll need to be present for at least five of these. We'll gather in the oak hallway at 9:30a each week. Confirmation Sunday is traditionally in mid-to-late April depending on the Bishop’s visitation schedule. More information will be sent by email in November.
Other Faith, Fun, and Formation Opportunities for Youth
Trinity Episcopal
Youth Community
Trinity’s EYC meets once a month unless otherwise notified. This is a time for fellowship, fun, social activities, and service projects.
Dates for 2023-24
August 20 - Kick Off at Lake Lure
September 24
October 22
November 12
December 17
January 21
February 11
March 17
April 21
May 19
Service, Learning, & Mission Trips
Each year we take at least one week-long trip 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 went to San Jose, Costa Rica to help at Ascension Episcopal church, and this past summer we went to Robbinsville and Beaufort, NC
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.
Middle School Summer Experience, July 10-13, 2023
Appalachian Regional Ministry in Robbinsville, NC.
Next year’s trip (July 8-11, 2024) is to be determined.
High School Summer Experience, July 21-27
Blue Theology, Beaufort, NC
(See below for 2024 Experience)
High School Summer Experience: The Footsteps of Paul
June 2024 (Grades 9-12)
IIn 2024, we will be taking an international trip to Greece.
This trip will allow us to see Greece as we never imagined it before. Stand where Paul did, two thousand years ago, as he brought the message of God to a new people. See the glorious remains of a great civilization while embracing the rich tradition of modern Greece.
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We will trace the Apostle Paul's second missionary journey and visit the first-century communities where Paul preached and wrote his famous epistles: Philippi, Thessaloniki, Berea, Athens, Corinth, and Ephesus. Our journey will also include a visit to Greece's most picturesque Islands.
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The cost of this trip is $4500. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due by October 1, 2023. Space is limited!
Retreats and 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!
MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT
The Diocesan -sponsored Middle School Retreat is Saturday, September 16 to Sunday, September 17 at Lake Logan Conference Center, in Canton, NC. For these Diocesean-sponsored retreats, you inform Debbie Cox that you want to attend and then register directly at www.diocesewnc.org. The cost for this retreat is $145.
HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT
This Diocesan-sponsored Fall Conference is held on Friday, November 17, from 7p — Sunday, Nov. 19, 1p at Lake Logan Conference Center. Again, for these Diocesean-sponsored retreats, you inform Debbie Cox that you want to attend and then register directly at www.diocese wnc.org.
There is also a Spring Conference: Friday, March 3 at 7p — Sunday, March 5 at 1p. For each retreat, the cost is $165.
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, and church is not an adults-only space. All ages are welcome.
Acolyting (grades 3-12)
The acolyte’s role consists of lighting and carrying candles; carrying flags, banners, and the gospel book in the procession; and assisting the priest at the altar with Holy Eucharist. The term acolyte is from the Greek, meaning “to follow.” This is a great ministry to serve in our church service.
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 Ministry Calendar
AUG 20
AUG 27
SEP 16-17
SEP 24
OCT 1
OCT 15
OCT 22
NOV 1
NOV 12
NOV 17-19
DEC 1
DEC 17
JAN 7
JAN 14-18
JAN 21
FEB 7
FEB 11
MAR 3-5
MAR 17
MAR 31
APR 21
APR 28
MAY 5
MAY 19
JUN 2
JUN & JUL
Kick-Off Youth Social at Lake Lure
Kick-Off Sunday - Youth Formation begins
Middle School Retreat (Grades 6-8), Lake Logan
Trinity EYC
St. Francis Day Service
Rise Against Hunger
Trinity EYC
Saints Dinner, 6:00p
Trinity EYC
High School Fall Retreat, Lake Logan
Confirmation Retreat Sign-up Deadline
Trinity EYC
Acolyte Training, 12:00p in the Nave
Confirmation Class, 9:30a
Trinity EYC
Music Revue/Steak Night, 6:00p, Youth encouraged to participate.
Trinity EYC - Ski Day
High School Spring Retreat
Trinity EYC
Easter
Trinity EYC
Confirmation (date is tentative)
Youth Sunday
Trinity EYC
End-of-Year Pool Party
Middle School & High School Retreat