Faith Formation for Youth

Middle School Compass Class

• (The Intersection)
• This middle school class will explore faith and build upon the basics they learn as children, connecting scripture with their daily lives. This fall, the class will be using the PC(USA)’s Faith Questions curriculum to respond to real faith questions posed by Presbyterian youth from across the denomination. Each unit encourages young people to look to scripture, as well as our faith traditions, in relevant and responsive ways.

Confirmation Class 

• (The Intersection) | 8th Grade or Older Youth
• Confirmation is the bookend of our baptism, when our young people take personal responsibility for their faith. Confirmation class follows the Confirm Not Conform curriculum, which helps youth claim their place in the priesthood of all believers. By engaging youth in scripture, discussion, testimony, and debate, Confirm Not Conform empowers youth for ministry and empowers them to think deeply about their own faith. Teachers and mentors build important and lasting relationships with the young people of this class, and work as a team to support and love these students throughout the year and beyond. This year’s confirmation class (which traditionally takes place in 8th or 9th grade) is open to all youth who are in 8th grade or older who seek to be confirmed as full, active members of the church.

High School Sunday School 

• (The Intersection) | 9th–12th Grade Youth
• The High School Sunday School will be a conversation-based class focused on scripture and how it relates to our everyday lives. Using the Feasting on the Word Curriculum, this class encourages youth to vocalize their questions about faith, seek understanding from one another, from scripture, and from tradition, and explore aspects of faith through fun and fellowship. In the spring, the class will learn about the traditions and worship of Presbyterians and will explore the traditions and worship of different denominations, even visit a few nearby worshipping communities. If students cannot attend each week, we still strongly encourage them to come whenever they are able. Volunteers often provide breakfast, so come hungry!

Youth Group – Nurture Your Nature

• (Sunday nights, 5:00–6:30 p.m. @ The Intersection) | 6th–12th Graders and Youth Advisors
• Middle and high school youth, and all the friends you bring, gather to build relationships and connect with each other and with God. This time is set apart to enjoy food, fellowship, and fun while exploring various aspects of faith. This year’s Youth Group theme is Nurture Your Nature! Through conversation, study, games, and personal reflection, our youth will flow between the inward, the outward, and the upward, as they explore the bridge between the inner world of identity and spiritual growth and the outer world of community and creation. Creating a culture of compassion and care begins with understanding our nature, who we are and who we are created to become, moving us to foster that empathy toward others, which then collectively takes us upward to join in the divine work of nurture, creation-care, and justice for all.
• Interested in joining this wonderful group? Contact Ben Brannan, Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults.

Midweek Manna

• (One Wednesday a month, 6:30–8:00 p.m. @ homes of church members or outings) | High School Girls
• This group of high school girls gathers to take a break from their hectic schedules, check in with each other, and enjoy moments of connection and learning. These nights center around a shared meal and an activity—devotional, craft, game—and the bonds created are long-lasting and meaningful. This group is led by Rebekah Gunn and Julie Mugford. Contact Ben Brannan for more information.

Middle School Mini Manna

• (One Wednesday a month, 6:30–8:00 p.m. @ homes of church members or outings) | Middle School Girls
• This group of middle school girls gathers to learn and grow together, form strong bonds and relationships, and create lasting memories. These nights center around a shared meal and an activity—devotional, craft, game. This group will be led by Youth Advisor and mom April Lewis. Contact Ben Brannan for more information.

All Youth Retreat

• Every fall we take a giant group of youth and advisors to a beautiful outdoor setting for a fun and meaningful retreat. The 2025 retreat will be held on September 20–21 at Camp Tuk-A-Way. We look forward to a weekend of organized craziness, deep connections, and faithful worship!

Hunger Busters

• Every year in November, our middle school students collect and deliver food for the Presbyterian Community Center. This year, the Hunger Busters collection and sorting date is set for November 16, 2025, and the group will eat lunch at the church, organize, and pack up all donations. Delivery to the PCC will take place at a later date. What a great opportunity to provide food for Thanksgiving for those in need. Donations will be accepted starting October 26.

• One Sunday each year, the youth are responsible for the leadership of both morning worship services. They sing, pray, read scripture, preach, usher, and plan the entire service. It is always encouraging to learn from them and see their leadership in action. In addition, it is tradition to hear sermons prepared by all high school seniors who want to preach. Youth Sunday 2026 is scheduled for February 8. Planning will begin in early January.

Morning VBS Volunteering

• Volunteering for Morning Vacation Bible School is our highest attended youth summer activity. More than 40 youth join us every summer as volunteer leaders. After VBS, we plan a fun activity to thank volunteers for their hard work.

Senior High Mission Trip

• Every other summer our High School youth go on a domestic mission trip. In 2025, we traveled to Knott County, Kentucky to work with Appalachia Service Project and helped build new homes for those who lost everything in Hurricane Helene. Past trips include Bell, Harlan, and Knox Counties in Kentucky, Broad Street Ministry in Philadelphia, and Beth El Farmworker Ministry in Florida. Our next domestic mission trip will be in 2027 with Appalachia Service Project.

Bibles & Bricks Mission Trip to San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic

• Every other summer we take a trip of high school and college aged youth to the Dominican Republic to work with Solid Rock International. We lead VBS for kids in the neighborhood, help with construction projects, and spend time with our friends at Solid Rock. Our church has had a long-term partnership with this incredible ministry, and we are glad for the chance for our youth to experience the work they are doing. Our 2026 mission trip will take place June 27–July 4!

Montreat Youth Conference

• This trip is open to all rising 9th graders through graduated high school seniors. They are invited to join us each summer for the Youth Conference at Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, North Carolina where our youth welcome the opportunity to learn and grow, make new friends from churches across the country, and relax together in a beautiful and fun environment. Our 2026 week at Montreat will be July 26–Aug 1.