As vital and active members of Central Presbyterian Church, our youth in grades six through twelve offer countless gifts in the life of our community. Serving as Elders and Deacons, they help govern the church and provide care to members in need. Leading worship as ushers, musicians, and liturgists, the youth help shape our dynamic, communal worship on Sunday mornings. As members in committees and volunteers in congregational outreach efforts, they offer their perspectives, time, and talents to our work together within these walls and outside our doors.
Recognizing that this stage of development is especially formative in one’s faith, Central also seeks to provide several spaces for youth to learn, grow, connect, and ask questions. On Sunday mornings throughout the year, the youth can engage in a variety of Sunday school offerings, with age appropriate curricula for both middle and high school youth. A year-long confirmation class, typically for youth in 8th and 9th grades, occurs at least once every two years to prepare youth to join the church formally.
Photos from our Youth End of Year Celebration, Sunday, May 15.
Youth Fellowship – Sundays at 6 p.m.
Each Sunday evening, youth are invited to gather for Youth Fellowship, when they engage in fellowship, community service, learning, and faith formation during a time that is their own. In this space, the youth form lasting bonds with each other and staff and adult volunteers, laying a firm foundation for life in Christian community. Each year, the youth serve dinner in the Central Night Shelter, prepare for their Youth Sunday worship service, play games, have deep conversations, and much, much more.
Youth Mission
If you missed the recap of the youth mission trip presented to Central’s General assembly, click here to watch the video.
Each winter, the youth engage in a mission trip to a nearby destination over a weekend, and in the summer, youth take a longer mission trip to a place in this country or abroad. Recent destinations have included: Denver for an urban ministry experience; Washington, DC, for the presidential inauguration; Costa Rica for international immersion and outreach; Iona, Scotland, to experience the ecumenical community there; and others.
This summer Central Youth went on their Youth Mission Trip to General Assembly to Portland Oregon (June 18th – 25th.) For information about their trip, follow them on social media, click here.
Youth in Worship
The youth also lead Sunday morning worship specifically through Central’s music and arts programs. A youth bell choir rehearses Sunday mornings, and the Jerusalem Choir, a vocal group, rehearses on Sunday evenings. Please contact Dave VanderMeer for the bell choir or Rachel Stewart for the vocal choir.
Upcoming Events
Kick-Off Sunday • Sunday, September 11
For more information about Youth Fellowship, click here.
Forms and Sign-Ups
Youth Permission, Medical, & Photo Release Form – Please make sure the church has a release form for each of your youth.
