Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry at Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church accepts, serves, and encourages youth of all different perspectives helping them to do Christ's work in the world by becoming their true selves. Learn more about all our youth ministries, available for grades 7 through 12, in our Fall 2023 Youth Ministry Program Guide.
SUNDAY MORNING IN CARPENTER HALL 10:15-11:00 a.m.
Open to all youth in grades 7th through 12th, after the 9 o’clock service, on the second floor of Carpenter Hall. We have one class for grades 7-9 and another class for grades 10-12.
Sunday Mornings explore Church topics, Bible readings, and popular issues together as an EYC. This time is dedicated to bible study and food-for-thought discussions.
9th grade Confirmation classes meet on their designated dates. If you are interested in the next set of Sunday morning Confirmation classes, please reach out to Taylor.
SUNDAY NIGHT EYC – FELLOWSHIP TIME ON SUNDAY NIGHTS IN CARPENTER HALL INCLUDES DINNER!
Youth in grades 7th through 9th are in Group 78.9 and meet from 5 to 6:45 p.m. on Sunday evenings.
Youth in grades 10th through 12th are in Senior High and meet from 6 to 8 p.m. to on Sunday evenings.
EYC stands for Episcopal Youth Community. On Sunday nights, our youth group has formation, and this will be time to focus on fellowship. Learning about each other in our Episcopal Youth Community is essential, so each Sunday night, we will get together as a group and have a good time with games and food. Parents, this is one easy way that you can help! We have dinner from 6-6:30 p.m. for every typical EYC night. You can sign up by emailing the Director of Youth Ministries, Taylor McLemore. This meal usually feeds 25-30 youth.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE
There are once a month, intergenerational events when the whole parish participates in the formation and/or fellowship together. We value this time of the entire EYC being together and getting to know our older and younger parishioners even better. Wednesday nights bring our whole community together as one, so bring a friend and join in on the fun! We participate in Parish Wide Events (and even lead some!), but if our schedule for Wednesday night changes, look for our weekly email to indicate any changes.
October 4: Blessing of the Animals
October 25: Trunk or Treat
November 29: Advent Festival
December 13: Holiday Fun Night
WEEKLY SMALL GROUPS
WEDNESDAY SMALL GROUPS for youth in grades 7th - 9th, IN GROUP 78.9, meet at Chick-fil-a in Cahaba Heights from 6 to 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY SMALL GROUPS for youth in grades 10th - 12th, IN SENIOR HIGH, meet at Carpenter Hall from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m.
There is study hall in Carpenter Hall starting at 5 p.m. for any youth whose parents are participating in their own WNL small group.
The best way we have found to have meaningful, impactful, and faith-based conversations with youth, is in a small group. Youth thrive in a small group setting because it creates more accountability, your group wants you to be there, and it encourages the community aspect of small groups being a safe place to grow. Small Groups are led by a team of parent Mentors and bring incredible wisdom to our young people! Every week each group will have an opening prayer, a reminder that this group is a safe space, a bible verse or passage of the week, and a discussion about where they saw God this week. Along with a recent event to discuss various faith-based activities, announcements, and a closing prayer.
Diocesan Events like Happening, Christmas Conference, Sawyerville, Special Session, Awakenings, and more!
Saint Stephen’s Youth love to support our Diocese and all the offerings given throughout the year. There are spiritual weekend retreats where youth can go through the weekend once and experience God’s love in a big way, and they can also serve as youth leaders on staff during these events. Happening is for 10th-12th grade youth, and Awakenings is for 7th-8th grade youth with High schoolers who can serve as staff.
Our Diocese also has several events throughout the year for Middle school and High school aged youth. To learn more about the upcoming events for this year with the Diocese of Alabama, visit their website dioala.org and find the Youth Ministries page!
SAWYERVILLE website: https://www.sawyerville.org/
SPECIAL SESSION Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpecialSession/
CAMP MCDOWELL website: https://campmcdowell.org/summer-programs
Big Events for the 2023-24 school year
Confirmation Sunday, November 5, 2023
Youth Sunday, November 19th, 2023
Ski Trip, January 12th-15th, 2024
Our Youth program has a lot to offer, and there are several dates that you and your family need to put on your calendar! Be a part of our weekly email to find out more information, but our weekly offerings are happening all the time. If you have any questions about an event or questions about anything with our Youth Group, please contact our Director of Youth Ministries, Taylor McLemore.
College Ministry
College age young adults get together for a special Christmas lunch every year. We also meet sometime in the spring once classes are finished.
At Saint Stephen's we value...
Compassion - We care deeply for all youth in our program and respect their differences and opinions, hoping they will embrace this practice in their everyday lives; Trust - We create an environment where youth can speak freely and with confidence, encouraging one another throughout life; Authenticity - We minister in such a way that youth can be themselves with each other and our leaders; Honesty - We practice truthful and open discussions about life and faith; Acceptance - We seek to embrace all people and respect their differences; Love - We strive to live by Jesus’ example.
Ways to Volunteer with Our Youth Group
We're always looking for regular help with our youth programs! Below are a few volunteer opportunities for things we need regularly. One way to help is to provide a meal one of our weekly EYC events. Another is for Transportation help to off-site EYC events. If you are interested, please contact Taylor McLemore.
EYC Volunteer
EYC Transportation Provider
EYC Meals Provider
Youth Formation Leader