Rite 13

Young people in grades 6-8 (or ages 11 -13) are eligible for Trinity’s Rite 13 group which meets in the TECC Faculty Room on Sunday’s at 10am.  The name of the program “Rite 13” (the first phase of the Journey to Adulthood program), is also the name of a ceremony that takes place in the church later in the year. The Rite 13 ceremony is loosely modeled on the Jewish bar mitzvah near a young person's 13th birthday, in which the young people are charged with the responsibility to use wisely the creative power unleashed within them at puberty. It is procreative power as well as energy useful to all aspects of life.

The two years of Rite 13 are fun - we laugh a lot, and learn a lot. Matters are treated in a light-hearted way, but that does not mean that serious matters are avoided. Among other things, the class deals with prayer, with the ways they see and encounter God, with possessions and their importance in our lives, with trust in God in a faith journey together. Every effort is made to keep the process experiential, with a hands-on and "hearts-on" focus.

Perhaps more than anything else, all activities are geared to build community among Rite 13 participants, to establish trust and safety, to remind young people again and again that this is their church, and that they are safe and welcome within it.  Trinity's Rite 13 class would benefit from expansion. Youth in the class are encouraged to invite their friends to attend. We urge members of the congregation to share information about our youth programs with people you know. For more about Rite 13, call Kathleen Capcara in the church office (410-823-3588)

J2A DOES C.A.P.

"J2A" is the second phase of the Journey to Adulthood program. At Trinity, we are including students in grades 9 -12. This year, our J2A class will be preparing for Confirmation and Pilgrimage ("CAP"). Our group will learn how to study, pray, play, and serve others within a community. We'll be using the book My Faith, My Life - a copy will be given to each J2A student early in the fall.

Occasionally, activities for fun and learning will be held with the youth from Church of the Holy Comforter, who will be joining us on the pilgrimage next year. Classes meet at 10 o'clock on Sundays in the Peel Library. Participation in a few fundraising events spaced throughout the year is an expectation of the youth and their parent.

Confirmation will be scheduled sometime in the spring of 2011, with the pilgrimage trip to Colorado taking place in July. Students are encouraged to join our group even if they are unable to go with us on the pilgrimage and unsure about Confirmation.  Tell your friends and ask them to join us.