Welcome to Emmanuel’s Youth and Family Ministry.  Our mission is to build a Christ-centered community of young people where God’s Spirit transforms their lives – as we together worship, learn, love, share and serve. Every year the programs and activities for our youth and families look a little different, but the underlying goals remain the same. Thanks for taking the time to look over this information and if there is anything I can do to help you and your family, please contact:

Jim Cooper, ELCA Deacon For Children, Youth, Families & Contemporary Worship

In John Roberto’s book Generations Together, he tells us that our faith transforms us in a life-giving way. Our faith is a way of the head, the heart, and the hands.

These are the goals for all young people at Emmanuel.  Every participant will recognize that:

• Faith is a journey lived in community sharing joy, pain, and life prayerfully.
• Scripture is a living example of the ongoing, faithful promise of God.
• Jesus is the model of a faithful life.
• The Holy Spirit is the presence of God at work in the world.
• There are joys and challenges in living a life of faith.
• They have gifts and talents that they can use to love and serve the world.

High School faith connection

Weekly relevant and engaging faith formation class for all high school students. Sunday morning from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Middle School faith connection

Weekly relevant and engaging faith formation class for all middle school students. Sunday morning from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Confirmation

Students are invited into confirmation in the winter of their 6th-grade year and are confirmed in the fall of their 9th-grade year. This dynamic program teaches the core elements of our Christian faith and gets students involved in the life of the church prior to being confirmed.

Service Projects

Every month we strive to have a service project in which youth and/or youth and families can participate.

Youth and Family outings

Every month we strive to have a fun youth and/or youth and family event.

Day trips

Usually twice a year we have special day trips to Tampa or Orlando. We always attend the “Rock the Universe”  event in September.

Weekend Retreat

Every year, usually in February we have an annual Family Weekend Retreat off-site at a beautiful retreat center near Tampa Florida. All Are Welcome!

Summer Camps and Mission Trips

Every year we carefully plan out a summer trip for our youth. It is either an awesome camp experience in central Florida, or North Carolina, or a mission trip experience, or a trip to the ELCA Youth Gathering.

Adult Parent Volunteers

We can always use your help.

For more information about our youth ministries, contact:

Deacon Jim Cooper, ELCA Deacon for Children, Youth, Families & Contemporary Worship