Youth Programs

At Church of the Good Shepherd, we believe that family and Church are inseparable.   We trust that "the best way to get youth more involved in and serious about [the Church] is to get their parents more involved in and serious about [the Church]" (Smith and Denton).  Part of our parish ministry includes the work of encouraging and equipping families to practice faith at home.  Check out our youth blog to find out what we're discussing each week during EYC.  Consider making prayer or family devotions a part of your regular household routine.  We welcome family members to join in our youth activities at Church of the Good Shepherd. 

Middle and High School students at CGS participate in the following Christian formation programs:

  • Sunday School (9:15 am):  Each Sunday morning, 6th -12th graders meet together to learn about Scripture and Church history, to pray together, to encourage one another and to have fun together.  We meet at 9:15 in the EYC room for a large group presentation, then split into smaller age-specific discussion groups led by adults in the parish.
  • EYC (Episcopal Youth Community):  Our Sunday morning and Sunday evening gatherings aim to cultivate in our youth a desire to grow in knowledge and love of God, and in friendship with one another.  Seven alliterative  ‘“C’s” form a broad outline of the biblical narrative, and will set a basic trajectory for our year’s programs.  The seven “C’s” are:  Creation, Crisis, Covenant, Christ, Church, Calling and Coming Kingdom (see Edie, Book, Bath, Table and Time...).  We meet most Sunday evenings to learn and worship together, to share dinner and to play games.  See the youth calendar to find out when we're meeting next!
  • Diocesan Youth Events allow our youth to
    connect with Episcopal youth from other parishes around North Carolina.
    Events like 'Bishop's Ball,' 'Winter Seniors,' 'Fall Middlers' and 'Happening' help youth to explore and deepen their faith while having fun.
    We encourage students at Church of the Good Shepherd to actively participate participate in the larger Episcopal Church community. More information is available
    on the Diocesan Youth Page.
  • Retreats and mission opportunities:  Our youth regularly go on retreat and participate in local and national mission projects.  Our fall retreat will take place at Trinity Center, on October 29-31, 2010.  We regularly serve with Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen, Society of St. Andrew, , Anathoth Community Garden, CGS's Migrant Farmworker Ministry and other local ministries.  We're planning a week-long mission trip for the summer of 2010.  Contact Wren to find out more! 
  • Worship:  We encourage our youth to participate in parish worship by serving as acolytes, kite fliers, lectors and intercessors.   Patty Lamb and David Straud offer periodic acolyte training.  Contact Wren to find out more about serving in worship.
  • Confirmation:  In confirmation, members of CGS make a "mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and ... receive the laying on of hands by the bishop" (BCP 412).  Church of the Good Shepherd offers confirmation classes for youth and for adults who seek to receive the sacrament of confirmation.  Our next Confirmation service will take place on May 29, 2011.

Do you have questions?  Contact Wren Blessing, Director of Family Ministries, by e-mail () or by telephone at 919/831.2014.