Youth Ministry
Welcome
We have a simple goal: to love and support middle and high school youth through joyful community as they explore a relationship with Christ and serve God as Doers of the Word.
It’s our desire and passion to help youth build authentic relationships with other students and leaders so they can discover what it looks like to live a life of faith. We take our faith seriously, but have a ton of fun along the way. No matter who you are or where you are in your spiritual journey, you are welcome here!
Getting Started
We are so much more than just a “youth group” (although we have that too). We help engage middle and high schoolers and their families in all aspects of church life, in addition to providing service projects, programs, and retreats. You are welcome to email our Director of Youth Ministry, Katie Ricard, to introduce yourself.
Sundays
We have two youth groups that meet almost every Sunday during the program year. We meet on the 3rd floor of Michaux House from 9:00 to 9:45 am. Time spent in youth groups is all about relationships—with each other and with God.
Junior Youth Fellowship (JYF)
Grades 6-8
Meets in Room 304
Senior Youth Fellowship (SYF)
Grades 9-12
Meets in Room 302
We also meet twice a month on Sunday evenings from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. These gatherings are a time for fun and fellowship. The second Sunday of each month is spent off-site either bowling, golfing, seeing a movie, and more. The fourth Sunday of each month is spent at St. James’s or at a local park, playing games and ending with compline. Please note, some months we meet only once. Always check the calendar for details. If any cost is required, scholarships are always available.
Serve in Worship
Participating in church services as acolytes, lectors, or ushers is a great way to serve others, grow in your faith, and learn leadership skills within The Episcopal Church. We are so grateful to all our youth for serving in this important ministry. We welcome any 5th thru 12th grader who’s interested in training to become an acolyte, lector, or usher.
To become an acolyte, please complete the registration form below. Any youth interested in serving as a lector or usher should reach out to Katie Ricard at youth@stjamessrva.org.
Celebrate Milestones
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Fifth graders and their parents are invited to participate in the Bridge Ceremony each spring. As these children move from Children’s Ministry to Youth Ministry, we honor this milestone in their lives and invite them into the next phase of their faith journey.
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We are honored and excited to walk youth through the confirmation preparation process. We like to think of Confirmation as “base camp” on your spiritual journey. It’s neither your point of origin, nor your destination, but a place to rest, grow, and be equipped for your spiritual journey. For more information on Confirmation, click here.
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In tenth grade, many youth take on increased responsibility at home, begin to drive, or even gain part-time employment. And for their parents, we recognize this is a significant, exciting, and sometimes challenging time, as they learn to trust their child with more autonomy. St. James’s offers our 10th graders gifts and prayers for this moment in their lives, as a reminder that God and your church family love you dearly and are here to support you as you grow. The blessing of the keys will occur in April for 2026.
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We celebrate, recognize, and bless our graduating high school seniors and their parents with a special milestone liturgy and reception. The blessing, which normally occurs towards the end of April, is a relaxed but important opportunity to thank God for all that has occurred and to offer prayers for your entire family as you enter a new season of life.
Mission & Retreats
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MLK Service Lock-In
Who: 9th – 12th Graders
What: Overnight service event to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. We attend an MLK Evensong, reflect on his legacy, and perform hands-on service (cleaning, painting, repairs) in the Catacombs to make the space more welcoming for community addiction groups. Includes time for fun and sleep.
When: Sunday and Monday of MLK weekend (mid-January).
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Snowfest Retreat
Who: 6th – 12th Grade Youth
What: Annual weekend retreat at Shrine Mont. Activities include skiing and snowboarding at Bryce Mountain on Saturday, followed by pizza and games. The event includes time for spiritual reflection and fellowship.
When: The first weekend in February.
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Harvest of Hope Middle School Mission
Who: 5th – 8th Grade Youth
What: Mission trip focused on addressing hunger and food waste. We work in the fields to harvest seasonal vegetables that are donated to local food banks (and often reach dinner tables within 24 hours). The trip balances hard work with fun activities.
When: The middle of July.
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Appalachia High School Mission
Who: 9th – 12th Graders
What: Week-long mission trip to Hurley, VA, supporting the Hurley Community Development Center. We help local residents with home repairs, cleaning, painting, yard work, and farming. We stay in bunkhouses and eat in the dining hall. The week concludes with a fun day at Smith Mountain Lake.
When: The last full week in June.
Confirmation
We’re honored and excited to walk with you through your confirmation preparation process. We like to think of Confirmation as “base camp” on your spiritual journey. It’s neither your point of origin nor your destination, but a place to rest, grow, and be equipped for your journey. Officially, confirmation is a sacramental rite in which the candidates “express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop” (BCP, p. 860).
For more information and registration details, don't hesitate to get in touch with our Director of Youth Ministry, Katie Ricard.
How to Register
We hope you’ll join us for one of our program offerings—whether on Sundays or for one-off events and retreats. If you plan to participate in an event beyond Youth Group, please register below with our Universal Permission Form.