Middle School  Youth Ministry

 grades 6-7-8

Welcome to EDGE!
At EDGE, 6th-8th grade youth explore their Catholic Faith with their peers. As they strive to grow in their relationship with Jesus, they'll experience:

• fun activities
• service opportunities
• witness talks 
• small group discussions
• prayer experiences
• and more!

Throughout the year, there will be additional opportunities, such as retreats, lock-ins, deanery and archdiocesan events, and offsite outings.

When does EDGE meet?
We meet on Sunday Nights following the 5:00pm Mass. Our first EDGE night will be October 31, 2021. Join us for a fun night, and a chance to join with fellow middle-schoolers!

Regarding Covid-19: 
Much of what we offer is defined (and often limited) by archdiocesan safety policies and state/health department laws and guidelines.  We'll do everything we can to provide a safe environment for our teens and volunteers. 

If you haven't yet heard, youth can now be Confirmed as early as 7th grade.  Regarding sacrament preparation, EDGE provides:

PRE-CONFIRMATION FORMATION:  In the year prior to the Confirmation Preparation Year, youth need to meet different requirements so they are ready to move forward. When your child attends EDGE, they will be meeting these requirements.  (Note: Youth who attend a Catholic school are invited to attend all EDGE nights, but only required to attend the EDGE Theology of the Body Class once/month.)

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION:  Youth who have completed the Pre-Confirmation Formation will attend EDGE weekly.  Twice a month, they (now called candidates) will participate in the Confirmation classes during the EDGE night.  

AFTER CONFIRMATION:  Youth that have received the Sacrament of Confirmation will attend weekly EDGE nights.  On the nights of the Confirmation classes they will be in small group sessions where they learn more about their role as Confirmed Disciples of Christ, and have  opportunities to experience their Catholic Faith together, through fellowship, prayer, service and more.  

Questions?
If you have any questions, or just want to touch base, please email Debbie Blomquist. She's looking forward to meeting you and your teen, and helping you connect with St. Stephens in the best way for your family.

There is still time to register for this year's programs!  
To register, email Maria at sstm.yfmoffice@gmail.com. She will send you the link for our online form.

All middle school youth need to register for EDGE, regardless of their Confirmation status.  If your teen is eligible to prepare for Confirmation, Debbie Blomquist will contact you after you register. Please watch for her email (from sstm.youth@gmail.com).  And if you have any questions, send her a quick email.

When you register, it will include releases for online/Zoom presentations, in-person activities, and photo/video use.

If you have a heart for teens and a passion for sharing the gospel, then God may be calling YOU to walk with the youth at St. Stephen's on their Faith Journey.  

We need Adult Volunteers to serve as Core Team Members, engaging the youth in community and helping them make the connection between faith and their everyday life. If you are a parent, please know you can also be a volunteer. It's a great opportunity to grow in your own faith as you journey with your teen and their friends. 

Core Team Members must be at least four years older than the youth they work with. (Youth are in 6th through 12th grade.) If you have youth ministry experience, you may also become a Core Team Leader, assisting in leading large and small group activites.

There are many opportunities to serve. In addition to joining/leading small groups, there are so many areas to contribute. Consider:

• Do you like to study the Bible or learn the "Why" behind the "What" we believe as Catholics? 
• Do you like to serve the poor and those in need? 
• Do you like to play games/sports and have fun with the youth?     
• Do you like to pray?  (Core Team will model how to pray and help to provide opportunities where the youth can have a personal encounter with Christ.)   

You may be thinking, "I do not have enough training or I am not formed well enough in my own Catholic Faith to lead teens."  We know that  God does not call the qualified, but qualifies the called!  

We provide training to help small group leaders learn to lead a small group of teens.  All small groups will have two adult leaders, so you would not be in it alone.  

For more information about how you can be involved or if you would like to sign up to join the team, contact Debbie Blomquist at sstm.youth@gmail.com.