Youth Group
Harless Scholarship Information
In 1987, longtime parishioner Esther Harless died, leaving her estate to the church. A portion of this generous gift was invested and the income from that investment was designated as a scholarship fund for active youth members. Thus the Harless Scholarship was born.
To qualify, applicants must be a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd and must be active, currently or recently, in at least one of the programs of the parish, diocese or province.
We invite high school seniors and recent graduates, as well as students currently enrolled in undergraduate or seminary programs to apply. Applications are due by May 15th each year.
Youth Group
Sundays from 6pm-7:15pm
Good Shepherd’s youth program provides an inclusive and supportive community where youth from 8th to 12th grade can learn and grow in their faith together. This formation program focuses on the individuality and creative potential of each member and how those gifts apply to our lives as Christians. Participants learn skills that will help them to participate more fully in the life of the church and will aid them in the next leg of their spiritual journey. Through weekly gathering, special events, and an annual mission trip, our youth grow in their faith all while making lasting friendships and forming a supportive community of peers to help them to face the challenges that come with being a teen today
If you are interested or would like to learn more, contact The Rev. George Swenson.
Mission Trips
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Every summer, our church sends a group of teens—along with their adult leaders—on a mission trip that combines hard work, deep reflection, and joyful worship. This experience is so much more than just a week away; it’s an opportunity for our young people to put their faith into action, discover their God-given gifts, and grow together as a community.
Throughout the week, teens roll up their sleeves and learn practical home-repair skills that make a real difference in the lives of families who need a helping hand. They worship in a vibrant ecumenical setting, joining voices with youth from across the country, and experience the beauty of the wider Church in all its diversity. Each day includes time to reflect on God’s call to serve, and to consider how Christ is inviting them to live lives of compassion and service long after the trip is over.
Even more, these mission trips strengthen bonds of friendship and faith. Teens laugh, pray, and work side by side, supporting one another through challenges and celebrating together in joy. By the end of the week, they return home with new skills, new friends, and a deeper awareness of how God is at work in their lives and in the world around them.
This is not just a trip—it’s a transformative journey of faith, service, and love in action.
Confirmation for Youth
Confirmation is a big milestone for many young Christians.
In baptism we have been adopted into the family of God and accepted Jesus as our lord and savior. Often people are baptized when they are only infants, so the promises made as a part of their baptism are made for them by their parents and Godparents.
In the Episcopal church, confirmation is a sacramental rite where baptized Christians, usually teenagers, stand up and affirm their faith for themselves in the presence of the community and receive the strength of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands by the bishop.
To prepare to make this mature affirmation of faith, our teens join in a confirmation course made up of group activities, service hours, participation in the 30 hour fast, and regular meetings with an adult mentor. The course runs as a two year program following the 5 Marks of Love:
Tell: Proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ
Teach: Teach and nurture new believers
Tend: Respond to human need through loving service
Transform: Transform unjust structures, challenge violence of any kind, and pursue peace and reconciliation
Treasure: Strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, sustain and renew the life of the earth.
