Youth Group

St. Paul's Youth Group is a gathering of youth in a Christian community. Our Youth Group invites all youth to come as you are and join in our fellowship and community. The focus of Youth Group is to raise up the youth in our church as they are not just the future of our church, but the present. The Senior Youth Group (grades 9-12) meets from 4-6pm on Sundays. The Junior Youth Group (grades 6-8) meets from 6-8pm on Sundays.

Every month, we celebrate the birthdays of our Youth Group members with dinner and birthday cake. We also have an annual overnight lock-in filled with food, fun and activities.

Other Youth Group activities include the annual Ski Trip, Summer Mission Trip, Christmas in NYC, NYC Auto Show, NJ Nets & Devils games and local outreach projects.

Youth Group event photos Gore Mountain, NY
2007 Mission Trip photos San Antonio, Belize		2007 Mission Trip videos San Antonio, Belize
2006 Mission Trip photos Somerville, TN		2005 Mission Trip Photos Caguas, Puerto Rico
2004 Mission Trip photos Engelhard, NC

St. Paul's Confirmation Class…"A Journey in Faith"

Confirmation Class 2008 photos
Confirmation Class 2006 photos		Confirmation Class 2004 photos

As the saying goes "This is not your Father's Oldsmobile"…Rev. Elizabeth and I believe that Confirmation is so much more than learning about the Bible, the BCP and other church stuff. Times have changed and we as Episcopalians are smart thinking people and we have to adapt to these changing times. That's why this is "Not your parent's Confirmation Class". We want the Confirmation Class experience for our youth not to be something they have to do, but rather something they want to do.

"People come to church-especially the Episcopal Church-because (as I tell my kids in Confirmation Class as well as those who are in the Inquirer's Class) this is not a place where you have to check your brains at the door before you enter. We are people who cherish intellectual inquiry. We strive always to balance what we read in scripture with tradition and reason-the "Three-legged stool of Anglicanism"."

We invite your children to register for Confirmation Class when you feel they are ready. However, a 7th grade minimum is required to be eligible for Confirmation Class.

St. Paul's Acolytes and Torchbearers

The Youth are not just the future of our church, but the present. How can our youth be involved in our church today? One way is by serving as an Acolyte, Crucifer or Torchbearer. The Acolytes and Torchbearers are an integral part of our Sunday service. If you're interested, we'll provide the training. Take pride in serving your church!

Diocesan Youth Events

St. Paul's Episcopal Church is one of the 117 churches that make up the Diocese of Newark. The Diocese of Newark provides many Diocesan Youth events for Middle School and High School Youth. As part of St. Paul's Youth Group, we'll be heavily involved in these Diocesan Youth events.

HAPPENING is a Spiritual Renewal Program. This weekend gathering seeks to bring young people into a fuller personal knowledge of and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and to deepen their level of commitment to their life long relationship with Christ.
HAPPENING is operated with the support of the Diocesan Bishop. It is an event planned and operated by teens, for teens with support from lay adult leadership and clergy as Spiritual Directors. During the weekend gathering, participants experience the love of Jesus Christ as shown through the sacraments and the ministry of fellow students, clergy and lay adults. Participants are brought to a fuller relationship with Jesus and to a deeper level of spiritual commitment through prayer, song and a series of events throughout the weekend. Teens are encouraged to take a renewed faith back into their world to "make a friend, be a friend and bring a friend to Christ."

HAPPENING #13-21 Diocese of Newark "Brick City"		W.O.O.D.Y. 2003 - 2006 Diocese of Newark High School Retreat
E.Y.E. 2005 Berea, KY

W.O.O.D.Y. (World of Our Diocesan Youth)
This annual High School retreat is created by the Youth Event Planning Team (Y.E.P.T.) with the oversight of the Diocesan Youth Ministries Director and adult Lay advisors. A theme is developed for this spiritual experience for high school youth in keeping their faith maturity. It serves as a touchstone in a larger community of Christ, to take their renewed faith back into the world empowered by the spirit. High school youth will have an opportunity to explore and discuss issues they face in reality. The weekend serves as a forum for the youth to voice their opinions on topics they might not have a chance to talk about at home, at school or with their friends.

Youth Ministries of the Diocese of Newark:
Christophany - A faith renewal retreat for Middle School youth.
Middle School Retreat
Youth Page @ Diocesan Convention

E.Y.E. 2008 - Episcopal Youth Event

July 8-13, 2008
Trinity University in San Antonio, TX

Resources for Youth

Timothy Wong
Missioner for Youth & Young Families
The Episcopal Church of St. Paul
200 Main Street
Chatham, NJ 07928
July212000@hotmail.com (e-mail)
973-635-8085 (office)
973-635-8752 (fax)
973-769-8214 (cell)

Tim's Photo Albums