Youth Ministry at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church

Over the years, St. Francis has developed several programs that draw prospective families to our church because of their impact on family.  Youth ministry is right at the top of the list of pivotal programs that families look for in a church today. 

Recognizing our need for a director of youth ministry, in 2001 the vestry voted to call a young man right out of college who has a heart for young people and lots of energy for the demanding activities of a youth ministry.  Adam Webb showed our congregation the ins and outs of relational ministry with middle school and high school kids.  He was a product of the Young Life ministry in Chattanooga, and he had many relational skills. 

Adam moved into the teaching profession, however, and a current parishioner who is also a very active parent of a 17-year old has stepped up and voluntarily taken on the position of director of youth ministry, planning a host of activities and providing a structure for our middle and high school youth program.  Stacy Hall has the energy and vision to help St. Francis make sure we are ministering to our future parish adults. 

At St. Francis, youth ministry is not just activities, though.  More importantly, it is about engaging young people in the life of the church, integrating them into the fabric of worship as acolytes, readers, and chalice bearers, and valuing them as active members of our church family.  Giving young people meaningful responsibilities in the spiritual life of the church is our primary point of engagement, and we are committed to including youth in our planning and dreaming for the future of our church. 

At St. Francis, young people are treated with dignity and great hope.  Our adults appreciate the energy and future our youth represent.

Members of the St. Francis Youth Group (and three adult members from the parish) recently traveled to the “Open Door” in Atlanta to serve in a July 4^th barbeque for the homeless.  The Open Door is an intentional Christian community committed to serving the homeless, prison ministry and acting as advocates for peace and justice. The event provided a unique opportunity to participate in ministry beyond the local parish.

The St. Francis group joined about fifty other volunteers in serving a traditional holiday meal to nearly 500 guests who would have otherwise gone hungry. Although the work is usually divided into two “shifts”, the team from St. Francis worked both. When they were no longer needed in the serving line, they moved to the basement of the community house to prepare sandwiches for the coming week (The Open Door distributes about two thousand sandwiches each week).

After the work was completed the volunteers sat down to a well deserved meal of burgers, beans, chips, slaw, tea and watermelon (the same menu that was served to the guests). It was a wonderful time to connect. People from all walks of life, young and old, high school drop-outs and college professors, wealthy and poor, Protestants (of various flavors), Catholics, non-religious and even a few rowdy Episcopalians gathered around the tables to share good food and fellowship.