Journey to Adulthood & Confirmation for Youth
Good
Shepherd's youth program, "Journey to Adulthood," is a six- or
seven-year program that begins in the sixth grade. It consists of three
groupings:
Rite 13, J2A, and YAC. A new group forms every other year (even years) and stays together until graduation. This spiritual formation program for
young
people celebrates their individuality and creative potential. It
instructs them in skills needed for successful adult participation in
the church and society. In the process, the youth build a community of
friends and find their ministry niche through fellowship and service.
The topics over the six years primarily focus on issues of life and the
Christian faith. To see our current Education Brochure click here.
Rite 13, J2A, and YAC. A new group forms every other year (even years) and stays together until graduation. This spiritual formation program for

Harless Scholarship Information
Esther
Harless, a parishioner of the Church of the Good Shepherd for about
twelve years, died in 1987 and left her estate to the church. As a
result of her gift, a committee was established to disburse the funds to
the needs and wishes of the parish. A scholarship fund for youth was
designated as one of these needs by the “Harless Committee”, an amount
to be invested and the income given to active youth of the parish. The deadline is the end of April. Download your application here.
Rite 13 Grouping: Grades 6 and 7 and 8
Sunday mornings, 9:00-10:15 a.m.
Rite
13 is the first two years of the program Journey to Adulthood. The
focus of Rite 13 is to celebrate our God-given gift of manhood and
womanhood by exploring issues that help shape our identity. All
activities are designed to build community and remind young people that
this is their Church, and they belong here. Rite 13 meets every Sunday
morning (9:00-10:15 a.m.) during the entire school year in the youth
room on the second floor of the parish hall.
J2A Grouping: Grades 9 and 10
Sunday evenings, 6:30-8:15 p.m.
J2A
is the core piece of the program Journey to Adulthood. The focus is to
prepare youth for adulthood by teaching six basic skills: listening,
negotiation, leadership, partnership, and information management.
Confirmation material is woven in with four key topics: self,
spirituality, sexuality, and society.
J2A meets every Sunday
evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. during the entire school year. Youth
are to first gather in the auditorium.
YAC Grouping: Grades 11 and 12
Sunday evenings, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

YAC
meets every Sunday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the entire
school year. Youth are to first gather in the auditorium.
Confirmation for Youth
Youth
are eligible to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation from our Bishop
in May 2018 if they meet the following criteria during the two years of
the J2A program.
Maintain a 75% attendance level through the two years of the J2A Sunday evening program.
Maintain a 75% attendance level at the "Special Activities" events
through the two years of J2A. These are described in our brochure.
Accumulate 75 "points" through the two years of J2A. Points can be earned in the following ways and need to be verified.
ONE (1) point for attending a Sunday morning church service.
ONE (1) additional point for every time one participates in the
life of the church as an acolyte, lay reader, usher, nursery care
helper, teacher's aid, choir member, Bellringer, etc
A one-day retreat will take place in the month (date TBD) just prior to Confirmation.