Our Programs for Young People

Our young people read their scripts as from an old time radio show during our Ice Cream Social fund raiser on behalf of Glencoe Interfaith Builders' Habitat for Humanity projects.

Acolyte Program
Our young people may train to serve at the altar as Acolytes when they reach 5th grade. This gives them a leadership role on Sunday mornings, and instills in them the forms and meanings of our traditional worship. Most of our young people serve from 5th grade until they leave for college. The Acolyte Guild also meets monthly as a group, for fun and worthwhile activities - bowling, working in a nearby prairie reclamation project, etc.

Lector and Lay Reader Programs
Upon their Confirmation, our young people are encouraged to take on adult responsibilities in the worship life of our parish. One such lay ministry is that of Lector. Our Lectors read the Old Testament Lesson from the lectern. This builds confidence and instills appreciation for the wisdom and beauty of the Bible. Another lay ministry is that of Lay Reader. Our Lay Readers vest for the Eucharist service, assist the priest, read the day's Epistle lesson and pass the chalice at Communion. Our young Lay Readers receive formal instruction and enjoy great satisfaction from that holy discipline.

Junior High
Junior High age members may continue in Sunday School, or choose to become a teaching assistant for Weefolk or the Primary Class ("Friends"). Then as they feel ready, they begin working toward Confirmation.

Confirmation
Our goal is to equip candidates to make a personal commitment to the vows made for them at Baptism. Each student chooses an adult mentor, and they work as a team. The program includes study of the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, Christian and Episcopal tradition, and questions of faith and values. It also includes group sessions with the Clergy for study, outreach and fellowship.

High School Youth Group
These young people meet monthly after church to get to know each other and to talk about faith, school, the nature of God, values, questions of morality and what it means to be a Christian today. High School age members also may serve as Lay Readers, and help to serve the cup at Communion.