Youth
A Place to Belong. A Faith to Call Your Own.
Middle and high school are formative years. We strive for a safe and authentic environment where teens can make new friends and learn what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
Youth Ministry
Our youth ministry walks alongside students in grades 6-12 through confirmation, weekly gatherings, service, and a variety of events & retreats that inspire them to grow in faith. Our students are invited to think more their faith, challenged to trust in God, and called to more fully make the Christian faith their own.
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Explore Upcoming Events
Interested in upcoming Youth events? The button below will take you to our calendar and registration pages where you can learn more.
Confirmation
Making faith your own.
The three years of Middle School are a time of preparation for Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation) when young people claim the faith in which they were baptized for themselves.
Students gather on Wednesdays for large and small group class time, with an entire class session occasionally devoted to service, fellowship, or service. Joining in the middle of the year? We’re always welcoming new students.
Before class, students are welcome to have a slice of pizza, play a board game with friends, or start up a game in the GaGa pit.
Contact: Charlie Olson, colson@spdlc.org, 763-475-7129
Events and Retreats
Special opportunities for growth and fellowship.
We also offer a number of retreats and special events for Middle School students throughout the year. Previous special events have included the Annual Interfaith Outreach SleepOut, Ultimate Lock-In, Nerf Night, a summer wilderness trip, and Camp Wapo.
Contact: Charlie Olson, colson@spdlc.org, 763-475-7129
Rite of Confirmation
Affirming our faith.
The Rite of Confirmation is celebrated with 9th grade students who have completed the confirmation program at St. Philip the Deacon. Each student participates in special services of blessing, publicly affirms their faith and is prayed for by the St. Philip community.
The Rite of Confirmation consists of three events:
1. Blessing of the Confirmands
The Blessing of the Confirmands takes place the weekend prior to the service of Confirmation. Students are blessed and prayed for during their normal worship service.
2. The Celebration of Passage
The Celebration of Passage is a special service just for confirmation students and parents It takes place between the Blessing of the Confirmands and the Rite of Confirmation, and is a highlight for many students and families.
3. Rite of Confirmation Worship Service
This is the official Affirmation of Baptism worship service. Families, godparents and friends are all welcome to gather for this special celebration of our ninth graders as they affirm the faith into which they were baptized.
Contact: Charlie Olson, colson@spdlc.org, 763-475-7129
Koin
Koin is our weekly high school ministry.
Koin is short for the Greek word KOINONIA, which means communion with God or, more commonly, with fellow Christians.
Koin is our weekly high school ministry, held on Wednesday nights throughout the school year from 7:30-8:30 p.m. These evenings focus on building Christian fellowship through fun, games, sharing stories, service projects, Bible reflections and community building.
Contact: Olsen Pancoast, opancoast@spdlc.org, 763-475-7118
Student Leadership
Interested in Student Leadership?
You’ve gone through confirmation, experienced all the Wednesday night hype, and maybe even had a high school student as a small group leader throughout your confirmation years. Why not give back and develop your leadership skills?
Opportunities include:
- Confirmation Small Group Guide
- Sunday School Teacher
- Sunday School Buddy for a special needs child
Contact: Olsen Pancoast, opancoast@spdlc.org, 763-475-7118
Event and Retreats
Special trips, retreats and activities.
Our high school students participate in fun and meaningful activities throughout the year These can range from sticking around church for a party, retreats for a weekend of adventure and renewal, or impactful service projects. All 9th-12th graders (and their friends!) are always welcome.
Contact: Olsen Pancoast, opancoast@spdlc.org, 763-475-7118
Summer Activities
School is out, but Church is always on!
Senior High Ministry in the summer is full of activity, adventure, and ways to continue growing in faith. Each year we offer week-long trips and weekly bonfires for students to continue building a faith-filled community around SPD.
Summer bonfires are open to students entering grades 9-12 and happen Wednesday nights at the SPD backyard fire pit. We make mountainous s’mores, compete in night games, enjoy beautiful summer evenings, and spend time growing as a group. This gives us a great way to stay connected as a faith community throughout the long summer months.
Contact: Olsen Pancoast, opancoast@spdlc.org, 763-475-7118
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Christian Wisdom
“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say thank you?”
William Arthur Ward