Youth Group

The Youth Ministry Committee will be hosting a discussion of the book Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys by Daniel J. Kindlon, Michael Thompson, Dan Kindlon, and Teresa Barker on Sunday, December 5th from 7:00-8:30 pm. We hope you will consider reading the book and joining us for a lively discussion. All are welcome!

The youth group is looking for an adult volunteer willing to sew some pockets into aprons to be used at the Teens Encounter Christ weekend that begins on October 22nd. If you would be willing to help, please talk to Alison Feigh. The aprons will be provided.

What is TEC? by Jordan Warchol

Some of you may have heard of a little youth program called TEC, but it has never really been explained to you.  Well that is my job.  Teens Encounter Christ, or TEC (pronounced tek) as it is more commonly called, is a weekend retreat for high schoolers that teaches about God in a manner specifically for teenagers.  It is run by a "team," which is made up of other kids who have already experienced a TEC weekend.  Every team also has adult advisors so parents have no reason to worry, but the weekend is pretty much left up to the kids.  During the weekend, the main events for the Candidates (first time attendees) are talks given by team members on topics such as "Who am I?" and "What is Holy?”  The team members who give these talks pour their hearts and souls into each talk, trying their bests to make thetalk, and the weekend, a positive learning experience for the candidates.

My first TEC was the spring of my freshman year in St. Paul.  There were 3 other kids from our church and I knew a few other friends from various Episcopal youth things. I was so nervous when I arrived, but by the end of Sunday, I didn't want to go home.  Since then I have done 6 additional TECs as a team member and I've given 2 talks!  Not everyone who goes through TEC comes back on team, and that's okay, too.

Now, you may be saying, why the heck would I want to go on a 3-day church retreat?  Well, there are a lot of reasons: you get to miss a day of school, there are a lot of cute guys/girls there, they feed you nonstop, you develop a personal connection with God, and you meet a ton of really cool people!  These are just a few of the many awesome reasons for going to TEC. If you are still unsure about whether or not you want to go on a TEC weekend, you can talk to me or any other youth group member who has gone to TEC. I'm sure Alison can talk to you and your parents about TEC too, she's been involved since she was in high school! (over 10 years!!!) This fall our youth will be attending the Great North TEC from Oct. 22nd-24th in Detroit Lakes, MN. We also have youth involved in St. Paul TEC, but the St. Paul program is taking this fall season off to do some visioning and restructuring work. St. Paul TEC will be offered again in the spring.

If you are an adult who would like to get involved with a bunch of great kids on a great weekend, both programs can always use volunteers.  Also, these weekends are kept at a low cost for teens through donations from companies and individuals, so monetary or food donations are always welcome. Most importantly, these weekends run on prayer, so please keep all TEC participants in your prayers and thoughts.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to talk to me at church or youth group.  I would love to help you.

Agape, Jordan Warchol

Student of the Month

Name: Tiffany Canterbury

High School/Grade: Hill-Murray, Senior (12)

School/Community Activities: Dance Team, Christian Service Learning which is whereI go to a nursing home and help serve food in the diner three days a week.

Church Activities: Usher,St. Paul TEC

Favorite Song: Happy Ending by Avril Lavigne

Proudest Moment: My proudest moment so far would probably have to be getting Captain for Dance Team

Collections: none

Favorite St. John's Memory: Coming to church when I was little and always knowing that there would be cookies up in the community hall after the service was finished

Favorite movie: Napoleon Dynamite

Last good book you've read: Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich

Best advice you've been given: Just be yourself

Where you hope to be in 10 years: I hope to have a good job doing something that I love

If you could have dinner with any person, whom would you choose? Probably Brad Pitt

How can church become more youth friendly? To have more youth activities and get the youth involved more in the service.