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 ones 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 eighth and ninth grades, occurs at least once every two years to prepare youth to join the church formally.
Youth in Worship
The youth also lead Sunday morning worship specifically through Central’s music and arts programs. The Jerusalem Choir, a vocal group, rehearses on Sunday evenings. Contact Rachel Stewart for the vocal choir.
Youth Fellowship – Sunday evening at 6 p.m. in Youth Suite
During these Sunday evening Youth Fellowship gatherings, the youth are invited to Central’s youth suite to join 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
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.
Forms and Sign-Ups
Click here to open the Online Youth Information Form.
Medical, Photo, Transportation Release Form – Please download, complete, and sign the form for each of your youth.
Past Mission Trips
January 18, 2019 | The youth traveled to Charleston, SC, to be with the people of St. James Presbyterian Church over the MLK weekend. Pastor CeCe, who preached at Montreat Youth Conference, was one of the hosts. While there, the youth shared time with the Gullah community, did service, and experienced history through a scavenger hunt!
January 12, 2018 | The youth traveled to Birmingham, AL to honor the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination. The weekend was filled with service activities, singing in the First Presbyterian Sunday worship service, touring various places in Birmingham, and learning about the civil rights movement as well as current social justice issues.