Youth Ministry at Good Shepherd seeks to offer a safe place where middle and high schoolers can support and encourage one another, learn about God, participate in the Gospel through mission and ministry, and have fun along the way. There are many ways to be involved in youth ministry. Whether you come on Wednesday nights, Sunday mornings, or if you are involved in other ministries in the life of the church, you are in “youth ministry”. All 6-12th graders are welcome regardless of color, belief, heritage, needs, church affiliation ... regardless.

Mission Work
Serving others is an important part of our youth ministry. Our goal is to continually be mindful of the needs of our community and those around us through regular mission work in our community year-round.

Summer Mission Trips
Each summer we take a trip to serve God outside our community.  Whether feeding the homeless in Seattle, building a playground for on a reservation, or restoring damaged buildings in El Salvador, our mission is the same: to spread the Good News of God’s love and abundance through our actions and to be transformed in the process.  Each year there is a mission opportunity for all 6th through 8th graders who feel called to serve. For information on this year’s mission work, click here.

Sunday School for Teens
10:15—11:00 am in the Youth Building
Middle Sunday School 6th—8th Graders.  Sixth graders may also choose to serve as leaders in Atrium III of our Catechesis program.
Senior Sunday School 9th—12th Graders
Both Middle and Senior Sunday School programs will be using the Journey to Adulthood curriculum, which uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministers, and both serious and playful activities.

Wednesday Night Youth Group
7:00—8:30 pm in the Youth Building
Building relationships in Christ is our purpose.  Whether you are ‘Cradle Episcopalian’ or just looking for . . . well, something.  Whether you want to make some new friends or are just bored and need to get out of the house on a Wednesday evening.  Everyone is welcome.  Period!  Wednesday Night Youth Group is a place where you can fit in with other teens, have fun, build new relationships, and be accepted regardless of who you are.

Diocesan Youth Conferences: HYC & JYC
Several times each year, youths gather from all around western Washington to spend time together. 

High School Youth Conference (HYC) features Contemporary music and worship, games, workshops, conversation and just hanging out at the dance are all a part of this fantastic weekend for youth in grades 9-12. Come join the fun and meet people who, through Jesus Christ, see the goodness in all of us.

Junior High Youth Conference (JYC) is similar with lots of community-building games and activities.  This is the place to find friends that will be with you through it all! Around 100 youth come together from all over western Washington to share in music, worship and fun!  

Additional information and registration forms are available from the Youth Office. Scholarships are always available.

Other Important Ministries
Youths at Good Shepherd are also involved in many other ministries that are not just for teens. Here are just a few of the other ways that teens are involved in ministry.

Acolytes serve at the altar during the Eucharist doing everything from carrying the cross to helping set the table for communion.

Music is an important part of worship in our parish and in other youth events in our diocese and in our Columbia Youth Network.

Lectors read the Bible stories for the congregation during services.

Eucharistic Ministers help the clergy administer the chalice during communion.

Greeters/Ushers do what they can to help people feel welcome and comfortable on Sunday mornings. They are often the first people that visitors encounter and can leave a lasting impression of the church at Good Shepherd