At Calvary Episcopal we seek to minister with young people in a way that encourages their growth in faith and knowledge, that includes worship and service, and that addresses realistic daily concerns. We also have fun!
Calvary has a middle-school Sunday School class (grades 6 through 8) and one for high-school students (grades 9 through 12). The classes meet at the regular Sunday School time, 10 to 11 a.m. from early September until May.
The middle-school class uses an advanced version of the Calvary Curriculum, which stresses service and reflections on the “big questions” that can lead young people to question their faith. The curriculum doesn't pretend to answer all questions. Instead, it encourages young people to think deeply; to question freely; and, above all, to learn to live out the covenant made at their baptisms to love and serve God.
High school classes follow a more flexible format, with discussions and service projects.
In even-numbered years Calvary’s high-school students take a one-week mission trip, usually in June. In June 2010, the youth will help rebuild a camp for adults and children with HIV/AIDS in a poor rural area of the Bahamas. Fundraising and planning for mission trips take place throughout the two-year cycle.
The Diocese of Minnesota sponsors many special events for Episcopal youth. These include large youth gatherings in fall and spring, a Senior High Event in conjunction with the annual Diocesan Convention, and TEC Weekends. TEC stands for "Teens Encounter Christ," and is a dynamic weekend in which young people grow in faith and fellowship through worship, prayer, music, fun, and hearing other Episcopal teens share their faith stories. For information, contact Ginny Padzieski.