Youth

Our Theology of Youth Ministry

  • Youth contribute and serve in all the work and ministry of the church – this is our foundational understanding of youth ministry - that every ministry includes young people.
  • You don't have to be a member of St. Mark's, or any church to take part in youth group - you just have to come with a heart and mind willing to serve, and learn, and share
  • Youth ministry is relational - it is about showing up and being fully present
  • Confirmation is a rite of passage into the community, not out of it
  • Youth will speak in the language of faith, if that is how we speak to them

 

Youth Fellowship 2025

We are working on a menu of service/learning opportunities for our teens.  

The 2025-2026  youth schedule will have some great opportunities for fun and fellowship, service and learning.

 

 

Youth Service & Learning Opportunities:

  • 2nd & 4th Saturday Food Pantry & Soup Kitchen:  Set-up starts at 8:30am and serve our guests from 9:00 - 10:00am.  Come and help provide welcome and care for those who need our help and support.
  • Service Learning Opportunities with community-based non-profit and social justice organizations such as Shalom Farms, FeedMore, CARITAS, Richmond Slave Trail, Indivisible, and others.
  • Young Leaders in the Church, teens are invited to serve in all of our ministries.  Find out what feeds your spirit in service and worship!
  • St. Mark's Reads Book Group A Justice and Advocacy group that encourages the thoughtful consideration of contemporary issues of race, social justice, and equality.

Image by Dyversions from Pixabay                                                                                                                                    

 

What we did one Covid Summer:

Summer 2020 No-Contact Mission: Justice and Advocacy

July & August 2020

 

Activity One:  The Legislative Process and your Voice:  Fostering civic engagement

Zoom call with GA Rep Dawn Adams about being in government – 20- 30 minutes

Education around 3-4 topics of interest (climate change, racial equality, gender equality, health & science around the pandemic)

Write a letter (template provided to a government official of your choice expressing your concern as someone who will soon be a voter)

Government officials:  Dawn Adams, Abigail Spanberger, Tim Kaine, Levar Stoney, Ralph Northam, Bobby Scott, Mark Herring, and or your city council person, county board person.

Activity Two:  Your Voice:  Who do you want to thank for their courage during this virus pandemic?

 Education: a quick look at some of our local/state/national leaders rap sheet on the issue

Write a letter of thanks for this person’s courage and persistence

Government officials:  Levar Stoney

Other officials:  Bishop Susan Goff, school superintendents & teachers, health care workers, first responders

Activity Three:  Just Mercy – is our justice system “just”

 Zoom call with Rev. Dorothy White & Malinda and our other leaders.

Read the YA version of the book

Activity Four:  Love of Neighbor - Family Outreach

 Sign up as a family to:

help UGK process meals,

work at the CARITAS Furniture Bank,

help with the opening of the CARITAS center