See also

• Youth Ministry Forms and Advisories
• Safe Churches: Policy to Protect Children
• Congregational Resources
• Family and Children
  Includes resources for working with youth and children.
• Liturgy/Worship Resources

Youth News

• Youth Visioning Day, May 3, 2008

Youth Events

Recurring Events Happening Happening is a student led retreat for high school students.  Youth at Happening get a chance to be real with a group teens who like them are exploring what it means to be a Christian.  Youth will play, listen and share on this spirit filled weekend.  Next event: March 9-11, 2007 Participant Application   New Beginnings This retreat, within the Cursillo family, is for 6th-9th graders! Led by a talented team of youth and adults, it is always a fun and inspiring intro to diocesan youth events -- not to mention the transformation that often happens in God’s grace-filled timing! (Please note that kids who come to New Beginnings need to be sponsored by an adult -- adult sponsors attend the entire weekend with their group of kids. Won’t be in the same family group, but will be experiencing the event simultaneously). Next event: April 27-29, 2007 Participant Application Adult Sponsor Application Parish Sponsor Info   Rock-n-Water This is a truly awesome adventure for youth and their adults with a professional river-rafting rock-climbing outfit on the American River. Each day begins with morning devotions and quiet time with a RockNWater journal. Then, after breakfast, every day is spent in the sun and the water and on the rocks, adults and youth alike! New friends are to be made, old friendships renewed, relationships with God forged and strengthened as we face challenges together in the wondrous creation that is our gift from God.   Next event July 29-August 3, 2007 is cancelled due to lack of signups   Sierra Service Project (SSP) This is a non-profit organization providing life-changing experiences through acts of service repairing Native American homes. SSP invites high school age youth and young adults to experience the profound power of serving people who have a culture and life experience different from their own. Next event is March 25-30, 2007 Flyer and registration Future event is July 15-21, 2007 Flyer and registration See also http://www.stlukesatascadero.org/mission.htm Snow Trip #1 (Sierra Summit/Camp Sierra) This annual event is fun and games for all who can get up the mountain! We make it possible for everyone to have a grand time: practiced skiers to novice snowboarders to those who just want to see snow! Next trip: February 2-4, 2007   Snow Trip #2 (Dodge Ridge/Camp Sylvester) This Snow Trip is great for getting people up on the slopes as inexpensively and quickly as possible! Nathaniel Lim (St. Francis, San Jose) has been the Coordinator for a good-long time now and is a terrific organizer. His son Jonathan will be on skis in no time! So much healthy exercise! We are a long and skinny diocese, aren’t we?!? Next trip: tbd   Vocare Vocare is an international organization with a local chapter in this diocese and in the Northern California (Sacramento) diocese. Local chapters of Vocare host renewal retreat weekends for young adults aged 19 to 35, with a format very similar to Cursillo and Happening retreats. Next event: tbd Ongoing/Interfaith Opportunities 30 Hour Famine Click the link for access to free materials. This is a terrific nation-wide event to raise money to feed the hungry. You can organize locally in your congregation, with a couple of neighboring parishes, or with all your deanery, or regionally. However you do it, and whenever you set it up, it is a good experience for all who participate. The free resources are excellent. Mt. Cross Lutheran Camp Check out the Summer Camp possibilities -- thanks to our Concordat!  Register directly with them! Children's Sabbath Endorsed by the Episcopal Church and more than 200 other denominations and religious organizations, the National Observance of Children's Sabbaths unites tens of thousands of religious congregations of many faiths in speaking out and acting faithfully for justice for children and families. This event encourages a long-term commitment to help children and families through prayer, education, service, and advocacy, with a special emphasis on the importance of justice. During the Children's Sabbaths weekend, religious congregations hold special worship services, conduct religious education programs and other congregational activities inspiring people of faith to respond to children's needs and commit to making this a better and safer world for all children. Children's Sabbaths are held in individual congregations The resource books from Children’s Defense Fund were sent to every congregation in August (from Seaside) For additional copies, please order directly from Children’s Defense Fund either on-line or by phone (www.childrensdefense.org  or 202-662-3652) This is a great opportunity for your community to engage the important matter of “providing what children need and God requires”. Next event: October 20-22, 2006