Who We Are

We're EYC (Episcopal Youth Community)…and if you're in grade 6-12, you're part of us!

EYC is divided into two groups: Middle School (6th-8th grades) and High School (9th-12th grades). In addition to our monthly major events focusing on fun and fellowship, there are also weekly Jr. and Sr. EYC Youth Group Meetings. On Sunday mornings we gather together for fellowship and announcements before dividing into classes to learn from a curriculum covering everything from Bible stories to how to live as a Christian teenager.

Our youth participate in a number of local outreach projects such as BEAM, Mission House, and St. Mary's. During the summer, they also participate in mission trips to all over the US and even recently to France, for which they help raise funds in the fall at Oscar Night.

The youth staff and leaders of Christ Episcopal Church are deeply devoted to fulfilling our mission and our baptismal commitment to our youth. Whether enjoying the fun and fellowship of an event, growing spiritually on Sunday morning, developing transferrable skills at Leadership Team on Wednesday night, or just getting to know one of our terrific leaders better on an individual basis, we hope each young person will feel welcome into an extended Christian family of peers and mentors…a "cloud of witnesses" with which to run the race!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us" (Heb 12:1 NRSV).

"The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you." (Frederick Buechner)

Youth Ministry

The Youth Ministry of Christ Episcopal Church exists to engage its youth, their families, and their friends in an exciting and welcoming faith community, to encourage them along their spiritual journeys, and to help them recognize God's presence in their daily lives.

For more information please contact Nate Huddleson by phone 285-7390 or email or The Rev. Luke Jernagan by phone 285-7390 ext. 226 or email. 

Sunday Morning Formation

Join 6th through 12th graders on Sunday mornings for refreshments as we explore what it means for us to follow in the way of Jesus. We meet on Sunday mornings, from 10:05am until 11:00am in CFC 208.

Middle School: Spice Rack Curriculum developed by Mark Devries-
Designed to get kids geared up for their day, their life, and the youth program. After announcements and snacks, kids will hear from a different leader each week and engage in activities that reveal how God is working in his or her own life or on how they can understand the messages found in pop-culture through the gospel.

High School: Film School- Grab some popcorn and enjoy the show!
We will be looking at today's media through the Christian perspective and connecting the dots. We will watch movies such as "Back To The Future" ,"Wall-E", and "Iron Man" and find out how these stories relate to our own lives and how the messages can help of see the world through God's eyes.

Sunday Night (EYC) Youth Group

Middle School Youth Group (6th, 7th and 8th grades)
Every Sunday at the Youth House, 4:00-5:30 PM
With lots of crazy games, great food, and good friends, MS Youth Group will be a community of life-long friendships and big questions. Open to anyone and their friends, regardless of beliefs. We'll uncover and investigate life's big questions together. Includes dinner.

High School Youth Group (9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades)
Every Sunday at the Youth House, 5:30-7:00 PM
The best conversations always happen at night. Whether you are looking for free food, good people, or an engaging escape from home, HS Youth Group is what's up. We'll be examining what Jesus said and did and investigating if it is legitimate or relevant to us today. Again, it doesn't matter what you believe or don't believe, we're just happy you're here and hanging out. Includes dinner.

Breakfast Club

For High Schoolers 7:30AM Friday Mornings at Player's Restaurant in Ponte Vedra Beach Come enjoy some good food and good conversation before the grind of school, as we talk about the books of the bible and how they relate to our lives at school and at home.

Leadership Team

Wednesday Nights, 7:00- 8:30PM at the Youth House An in-depth and open discussion about Christ, our lives, and what is means to be a servant leader. This is for students looking to explore their faith more fully and intimately. Leadership team's overarching goal is to engage, expand, and empower the youth ministry at Christ Episcopal Church. The leadership team is entrusted with guiding and strengthening the youth activities, and taking an active part in how the youth ministry is shaped at Christ Episcopal Church. This group is open to anyone who wishes to come.

C-Life

Oscar's Night Fundraiser

Get ready for the time of your life! This evening - which is open to everyone: adults, youth and children - is a celebration of the youth of Christ Church and a fundraiser for the mission trips we take each summer. We party the night away with dinner, dancing, awards, and a look at what is coming up for the next year in youth ministry. This is the event of the year and one definitely not to miss!

Youth Sunday

Each spring, the youth lead a worship service, including the music, sermon, readings and prayers. The sermon is given by either one senior or a group of seniors and offers them an opportunity to share their faith with the community.Youth Sunday allows the congregation to see God in the faces of the youth and rejuvenates parishioners of all ages!

Acolytes & Lectors

Youth can serve as Acolytes or Lector beginning in 6th grade. This ministry is a key part of Christ Episcopal Church's worship services and is a fulfilling and fun part of many of our kids' youth program involvement. For any questions about getting involved as an acolyte please Click to email Marianne Palmer

Confirmation

Once our youth are ready to confirm their baptismal vows through the sacrament of confirmation, they are invited to take part in our confirmation process traditionally beginning in 10th grade. This process involves a required commitment to weekly classes in the spring and a weekend retreat. An adult sponsor is assigned to each youth to help shepherd him or her along the confirmation journey. For more information and specifics about confirmation please call the church office at 285-6127.

Mission Trips & Pilgrimages

We have taken summer mission trips and pilgrimages to Washington D.C., North Carolina, San Diego, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and even Taize France and several other cities around the US. These provide a wonderful chance for our kids to deepen their faith in Christ while reaching out to others in need. These trips fill quickly each year, so we recommend signing up early if you're interested!

Mission Trip Chaperones
For each of our Mission Trips, we encourage parishioners to attend as chaperones. Students and adults can share their faith and make memories that last a lifetime.

Mission & Outreach

The youth ministry at Christ Episcopal Church is committed to living out the gospel in our daily life. We partner with several local organizations throughout the Jacksonville area to help those in need. Whether it be stocking the shelves at Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministries with food or serving a warm meal to the people at Mission House in Jacksonville Beach, we are always doing something to help. This is a great way to get service hour requirements accomplished while living out the gospel.

College Ministry

We hope to work to reach out more each year to our "hometown" college students who are away at college as well as to students who are studying at colleges here in Jacksonville. We currently send exam care packages to college students before Christmas. College students also get together to see old friends when they are home over the Christmas break and during the summer.

Volunteer

The youth ministry staff is just the tip of the iceberg in being able to reach out to the youth we are blessed to be entrusted with here at Christ Episcopal Church. From parents driving and preparing food for EYC events to volunteers of all ages taking the time to get to know our youth individually and being part of their "cloud of witnesses," we are all called to lay a spiritual foundation for them and to help them grow into mature Christian adults. We invite you to be part of this journey with one or more young people and to realize that this investment of time is such an important ministry.