Welcome to the St. Peter’s Youth (SPY) page. At. St. Peter’s we offer a comprehensive and integrated program which encompasses youth education, mission (service), and fellowship. We are pleased to offer the nationally acclaimed Journey to Adulthood program.

What is Journey to Adulthood?

• A six year program of spiritual formation for young people that

- provides a liturgical frame for their experience in our modern culture
- celebrates their individuality and their creative potential
- instructs them in skills needed for successful adult participation in church and society.

• Based on two key concepts

- Manhood and womanhood are gifts from God
- Adulthood must be earned

• Includes in-depth exploration of

- Self - Sexuality
- Spirituality - Society

• Follows the imperatives of the Baptismal Covenant
• Enables young people to discover and experience the love of God

How does it work?

Christian formation is a lifelong process; this program gives young people a firm foundation on which to build. The program falls into three distinct phases, each of which is two years in length: Rite-13, J2A (Journey to Adulthood) and YAC (Young Adults in Church). At St. Peter’s, the heart of the program is our 3 Sunday morning learning communities.

The Journey to Adulthood is a systematic curriculum within a complete youth program.

The Journey to Adulthood balances Bible study, prayer, and both serious and playful activities to nurture the whole person during the treacherous passage from childhood to adulthood. Leaders model living the faith reminding young people of the ever-present love and mercy of God.

Rite-13

Meets 10:05 in the Youth Room. Our leaders are The Rev. Lark Stephenson Diaz, Melissa Collins-Porter, Brian Chan, and Valerie McShefferty.
The Rite-13 program assists young people as they take the first steps of passage away from their families and into their own lives. It begins with a liturgical celebration of the gift of Womanhood and manhood. During these tow years, the community acknowledges the gift of gender, celebrates the amazing creative power and potential of these young people, and creates a safe haven to explore new ideas, new interests and new abilities.

J2A

Journey to Adulthood (J2A) is the heart of this entire program- it blends action and contemplation in teaching young people faithful living. To prepare them for adulthood, they learn six basic skills:

• active listening
• negotiation
• assertion
• research/information management
• partnership
• leadership

The program also helps them understand and affirm Christian living. After two years they are given an opportunity to be confirmed and are acknowledged in the community as equipped for new levels of responsibility. They are recognized as young adults, rather than children, and invited to make a holy pilgrimage.

YAC

Meets at 10:05 in the Library. Our leaders are Trudy Ardizzone, Terry Gooding, and Chuck Vitale, and Joe Ardizzone. It is open to those in the 11th or 12th grades or who have completed the J2A portion of the program. The Young Adults in the Church (YAC) group takes responsibility for planning and implementing their program. Their advisors are there to assist them in Bible Study, development of service projects, outreach and ministry. They participate regularly in the worship and generally take an active part in the life of the congregation. YAC students are challenged to become good stewards of their time, talent and treasure. Guided by adult advisors, they use the Anglican model of Scripture, reason and the tradition of the Church to guide the lifelong pilgrimage in their faith.
The Journey to Adulthood promise: If you seek the Christ, together we will find him.

Getting your child involved in the J2A program.

The J2A program creates welcoming communities in which new members are embraced at any point in the group’s journey. Contact our Christian Education Director, Trudy Ardizzone (858-755-1616 ext. 107) or our Youth Pastor, the Rev. Lark Stephenson Diaz (858-755-1616 ext. 116)

What other opportunities does St. Peter’s offer for youth?

Young people serve as acolytes (altar servers) and as members of our youth choir the St. Nicholas Choristers. They are also invited to serve on the diocesan Youth Council, apply for positions as counselor at Camp Stevens, and apply to attend regional Youth Events.

What is the Pilgrimage? And how is money raised for it?

The pilgrimage is not a sightseeing expedition nor is it a mission trip or service opportunity. At the end of the J2A segment of the six year program our students set aside time to seek and find God in new ways. They walk in the footsteps of Christians who have gone before them putting themselves in touch with our traditions, our roots and our God. In 2007 The J2A began this tradition with the first St. Peter’s pilgrimage to England. Please see the link to our itinerary and photos of the trip.
To raise money to off set the costs of the pilgrimage, our young people organize several fundraisers including the sale of Christmas greens, fair-trade locally roasted coffee, an indoor rock climbing event and a garage sale.

Useful Links

Camp Stevens
Diocesan Youth Council
Leader Resources
Others to be discovered later.