Rite-13

The two years of Rite-13 begin in 7^th grade when the young people are close to their 13^th birthdays.  There is a special liturgy for them at this time which is celebrated in the church with a service that is loosely modeled after the Jewish bar mitzvah.  In this ceremony the young people are charged with the responsibility to use wisely the power given to them at puberty.  A portion of Psalm 139 is read, a prayer for parents is read as they watch their children on this journey from child to adult, and wait for their return as adults and friends.  A charge to the peers of the Rite-13 class and to the congregation follows asking for their support as the youth are on this journey.  Finally a prayer and blessing, with a laying on of hands, conclude the liturgy.

    During the 2^nd year of rite-13, in 8^th grade, the youth are invited to go through the confirmation process in addition to the continuation of the Rite-13 curriculum.  To learn more about Youth Confirmation at Christ Church click here.  These two years incorporate fun, laughter, games, and we learn, too.  A lot of time is spent reading great stories of Holy Scripture and exploring their validity today.  We focus on prayer and other ways we see and encounter God.  Probably more than anything else, our activities are geared to build this community, to establish trust and safety, and to remind the young people that this is their church and they belong here!