Youth
Grades 6 through 12
Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3
About our youth ministry
Because we recognize the divine wisdom of childhood and adolescence, St. Stephen’s is a place where youth and adults walk side by side as companions on the journey of life in Christ. We strive to honor questions, avoid pat answers, laugh together and look together to see the ways God is at work in our lives. Our mission is to love and affirm all young people as God’s beloved by a ministry of presence, to serve them on their way as companions and guides, and to faithfully entrust their sacred growth to God. Here, all are invited; all are welcome.
Registration
Registration for youth offerings–acolytes, youth ushers, youth group, Sunday morning Bible study, Confirmation preparation, and more–is available now! One form covers all these offerings, so you will not need to complete multiple forms for your young person.
Calendar of Events for 2026-27
Here’s a downloadable, printable PDF of important dates in youth ministry for the program year that begins in September 2026 and continues through May 2027.
Youth Groups
Selected Sunday evenings
Youth groups meet on Sunday evenings, usually twice a month. We will use a new format for 2026-27.
Middle school students convene from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and high school students gather from 7 to 8 p.m. From 630 to 7, both groups will have dinner together. Questions? Contact Caroline Harris, youth ministry coordinator.
Youth serving
Youth are invited to participate in a week-long mission experience where they serve others while learning more about the people, history, and culture of the areas where they are serving. Recent trips have focused on poverty, homelessness, and racial healing in communities in North Carolina and South Carolina. Information about a June 2027 trip will be available by December.
Youth acolytes (grades 9-12)
At St. Stephen’s, all high school youth are invited to serve at the Lord’s altar in the ministry of the acolyte. Rooted in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the early church, acolytes lead worship alongside clergy, assisting with essential practical tasks that make the liturgy unfold with grace and beauty. Acolytes practice Christ’s commandment to love one another by enacting values of inclusion and respect, mutual care and forbearance, forgiveness and acceptance.
Who is invited and what is expected?
All high school youth are invited to serve in this ministry and no prior experience is necessary. The commitment one makes is to be fully present and prepared when serving, and to be accountable to one’s teammates, the congregation and other ministers. This is a ministry in which one grows in skill and maturity; it also requires a level of shared commitment with parents who help with transportation and executive skills that youth still are developing, particularly with communications and scheduling.
Essential details:
- Staff and vergers train and coach acolytes in their respective roles in a caring and supportive environment. Training is offered in late August and early September before school resumes, and for special liturgies.
- Acolytes serve in teams led by a senior acolyte called a “warden.” Each team serves about once a month, successively alternating between the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Sunday liturgies, and in the summer at 10 a.m.
- Acolytes serve at special services on days other than Sunday including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, and the Easter Vigil. On occasion, they will be invited to serve at funerals or weddings.
- Acolytes commit to arrive and vest on time; secure their own substitutes; and responsively communicate with their team’s warden.
- Registration is through the children/youth registration form (just one form!)
Acolytes, youth ushers and youth readers will be commission together at the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services on Sunday, October 18.
Youth Ushers (Grades 6-8)
All youth in grades 6-8 are invited to serve in the ministry of the usher. Youth ushers greet worshippers as they arrive for the 9 am liturgy, distribute bulletins, collect and present the congregation’s offerings, and help foster a welcoming and reverential atmosphere. Ushers serve about once per month on four teams led by an adult captain, typically a parent. Indicate interest on the registration form linked at the top of this page.
Acolytes, youth ushers and youth readers will be commission together at the 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services on Sunday, October 18.
Serving others
In addition to the summer mission trip, opportunities for youth to serve others include volunteering in our food pantry, our Saturday farmers market, the Advent Fair, and with our outreach partners like Caritas and Shalom Farms.
Youth Confirmation
At St. Stephen’s Church, the Rite of Confirmation is open to youth in grades 8 and above. This is a change from recent practice, and in the 2026-27 year, there will be a two-track process–one track for 9th grade and above in the fall, another for 8th grade in the spring). Use the button below to go to the Confirmation page for more details.
Get Involved
If you’d like to get involved with the youth ministry at St. Stephen’s Church, or if you have questions, contact Caroline Harris, youth ministry coordinator.