you are welcome here
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
Journey to Adulthood or J2A follows Rite 13 and is at the heart of our youth program. During the J2A program, teens learn and practice six basic skills for adulthood: active listening, negotiation, assertion, research & information management, partnership, leadership. Teens also learn different methods of interpreting the Scripture, prayer and community-building.
After completing these two years of their spiritual growth and development, they are given an opportunity to declare their desire to become autonomous members of the Episcopal community through the rite of Confirmation. In celebration of their full commitment to Christian discipleship, the youth plan and embark on a Pilgrimage together at the end of this segment.
After completing these two years of their spiritual growth and development, they are given an opportunity to declare their desire to become autonomous members of the Episcopal community through the rite of Confirmation. In celebration of their full commitment to Christian discipleship, the youth plan and embark on a Pilgrimage together at the end of this segment.
Past Pilgrimages:
2008: The youth traveled to Pennsylvania and spent part of a week as guests of an Amish community. They worked, played and worshiped with the Amish sharing experiences and ideas with each other. They also traveled to New York City and went on a spiritual journey to Ground Zero .
2008: The youth traveled to Pennsylvania and spent part of a week as guests of an Amish community. They worked, played and worshiped with the Amish sharing experiences and ideas with each other. They also traveled to New York City and went on a spiritual journey to Ground Zero .
2010: The youth flew to San Francisco and saw the grandeur of the area including a hike into the mountains, the Redwood forests and a monastery.
Upcoming Pilgrimage:
2012: The youth will travel to Colorado and bond with nature including journeys into the mountains and a white water rafting adventure.
Upcoming Pilgrimage:
2012: The youth will travel to Colorado and bond with nature including journeys into the mountains and a white water rafting adventure.
2011/2012 J2A Class
St. Stephen's Grades 9 & 10 Youth Group
J2A - Sundays
After Communion at the 10 am Service
After Communion at the 10 am Service
Pilgrimage Musings - 2010
By: Lindsay Podsiadlik
By: Lindsay Podsiadlik
Thank you so much for sending us to California! This is a pilgrimage that I will never forget. I had a ton of fun and really bonded with the group. It was easy to find God with them around. My favorite places to go were Point Reyes and Muir Woods. We didn’t really intend to hike the 5 miles all the way to the very end, but I’m so glad we did. Talk about thin places! You had your head in the clouds figuratively and literally. The coast was beautiful and Brent, Jimmy and I hiked until we couldn’t anymore for fear of falling off a cliff. Muir Woods was awe inspiring. It was so peaceful and beautiful when the sun shone through the tree branches. I wish that trees could talk because I would have loved to hear their hundreds, even thousands of years of stories. I also really enjoyed meeting Father Jonathan’s friend, Father Matthew Lawrence. His healing service was very moving. Strolling through Chinatown was fun and interesting. Many may not think that this is a place where it is easy to find God. But looking at all the different people and faces, you realize that we are all God’s Children. Grace Cathedral was amazing, and I had a great conversation with God as I was walking the labyrinth. Meeting the Friars and having service, then dinner with them was really cool and they were very kind and had some interesting backgrounds to why they became Friars. We walked down Fisherman’s Wharf and enjoyed the day that God gave us. On Sunday, we went to St. Gregory of Nyssa for service. That was really an experience. The congregation there welcomed us in before we even walked through the door. The service was pretty different, but extremely fun because of all the singing and dancing that we did. Swimming with everyone at Jonathan’s brother’s house was fun and relaxing and the perfect way to end our trip. It was nice to be crazy with our group and listen to the Sams tell their stories. This was after visiting the college and learning how they treat grapes and other such crop plants. They let us pick some roses and wander amongst the beautiful plants. The pilgrimage was truly amazing and fun and funny and adventurous. Thanks to Mrs. Blythe, Mr. Giles, Mama Sams and Father Jonathan for putting up with our crazy antics. Thank you so much for sending us on this trip!
By: Brent Fragnoli
While on my pilgrimage to San Francisco, I experienced many different sides of Christianity. From the traditional service with the Franciscan Friars, to the more contemporary service at St. Gregory’s, it was fulfilling to see how no matter the difference in service, there is no difference in the love of God. My pilgrimage has shown me that no matter who they are or how they show it, everyone has their own way of expressing their own unique love of God. Continuously though the events on our pilgrimage, it was impossible to miss God’s love. As we arrived at Santa Rosa, waiting for Father Lawrence, we witnessed as a group, one of the ladies from their shelter rampage through the streets. As this lady shouted down the street, I could not help but notice this as a sign from God explaining to us that these shelters are needed and how much good they are doing, but how much more is left to do. Also, as we experienced the 4.7 mile hike to Point Reyes, we were all witnessing first hand, God’s beautiful landscape and true love. As we attended the service at the Friary, I could not help but feel a sense of awe and respect for the Friars. To me, the Friars represented the ideal society for a devote Christian. Never living outside their vows, always helping others, and most importantly, an unconditional love for God. Eating dinner with the Friars truly showed their devotion to their beliefs and I feel honored to have been able to spend time with such noble and honorable people. Just like at Point Reyes, Muir Woods was another prime example of God’s love through nature. As I took my spirit walk through the woods, the feeling of God’s love was truly overwhelming. However, my favorite part of the Redwood Forest was listening to Father Sams read his writing to the group. My favorite part of the entire pilgrimage was, hands down, the Sunday Service at St. Gregory’s. Immediately, as we walked into the church, I felt a strong sense of community and friendliness. All though the service they took so much pride in their the love of God. Between their exhilarating music, long periods of reflections and their elaborate dances, there was a noticeable love of God throughout the entire congregations. Constantly, throughout my pilgrimage, I felt the love of God breaking through the “thin places.” However, all of our fun and learning on this pilgrimage would not have been possible without the support of such an outstanding and caring congregation. Although I enjoyed all of the different churches I attended, I am glad to come back to St. Stephen’s, where the most supportive congregation is found. I would also like to thank all of those who wrote letters to the group. It was very comforting each night to sit down and read the letters of encouragement from our parish. Also, I thank Father Sams, Mrs. Sams, Mr Giles, and Mrs. Blythe for taking us on the trip, and putting up with us. Thank you.
By: Brent Fragnoli
While on my pilgrimage to San Francisco, I experienced many different sides of Christianity. From the traditional service with the Franciscan Friars, to the more contemporary service at St. Gregory’s, it was fulfilling to see how no matter the difference in service, there is no difference in the love of God. My pilgrimage has shown me that no matter who they are or how they show it, everyone has their own way of expressing their own unique love of God. Continuously though the events on our pilgrimage, it was impossible to miss God’s love. As we arrived at Santa Rosa, waiting for Father Lawrence, we witnessed as a group, one of the ladies from their shelter rampage through the streets. As this lady shouted down the street, I could not help but notice this as a sign from God explaining to us that these shelters are needed and how much good they are doing, but how much more is left to do. Also, as we experienced the 4.7 mile hike to Point Reyes, we were all witnessing first hand, God’s beautiful landscape and true love. As we attended the service at the Friary, I could not help but feel a sense of awe and respect for the Friars. To me, the Friars represented the ideal society for a devote Christian. Never living outside their vows, always helping others, and most importantly, an unconditional love for God. Eating dinner with the Friars truly showed their devotion to their beliefs and I feel honored to have been able to spend time with such noble and honorable people. Just like at Point Reyes, Muir Woods was another prime example of God’s love through nature. As I took my spirit walk through the woods, the feeling of God’s love was truly overwhelming. However, my favorite part of the Redwood Forest was listening to Father Sams read his writing to the group. My favorite part of the entire pilgrimage was, hands down, the Sunday Service at St. Gregory’s. Immediately, as we walked into the church, I felt a strong sense of community and friendliness. All though the service they took so much pride in their the love of God. Between their exhilarating music, long periods of reflections and their elaborate dances, there was a noticeable love of God throughout the entire congregations. Constantly, throughout my pilgrimage, I felt the love of God breaking through the “thin places.” However, all of our fun and learning on this pilgrimage would not have been possible without the support of such an outstanding and caring congregation. Although I enjoyed all of the different churches I attended, I am glad to come back to St. Stephen’s, where the most supportive congregation is found. I would also like to thank all of those who wrote letters to the group. It was very comforting each night to sit down and read the letters of encouragement from our parish. Also, I thank Father Sams, Mrs. Sams, Mr Giles, and Mrs. Blythe for taking us on the trip, and putting up with us. Thank you.
By: Jimmy McQuiston
I would like to thank you for the trip of a lifetime—a trip that helped me walk closer to God. On our trip, we went to the Church of the Incarnation where we met Father Matthew. He showed us his church and then we had a healing service, where we prayed for every‐one. Then we walked about 10 miles at Point Reyes. At the very tip, you could feel God’s presence and it was the best spot on the whole trip. The next day, we went to Grace Cathedral and we walked in the labyrinth, which was like the walk with God, with all the turns and stops. Then we went to Muir Woods, and in the woods we did a spirit walk, where you walked slowly and listened to the surroundings. The walk was an amazing experience that I can’t describe. After this, we went to Father Sam’s brother's house where we swam and we ate the freshest food that I have ever eaten. All the food was made within 200 miles. Also, on this trip, we have developed new levels of friendship with one another and we will remember this trip forever. Again, I would like to thank you for this trip.
2012 St. Stephen's Confirmation Class
