Jr. and Sr. HIGH

PROGRAMMING

J.O.Y. (Jesus Oriented Youth)

for junior high school youth

The major focus of junior high programming is J.O.Y. (Jesus Oriented Youth) which meets on Sunday afternoons from September through May.  J.O.Y. is designed to encourage acceptance and understanding between our youth, their peers, their parents and God.  Unless otherwise noted, J.O.Y meetings happen from 5-6:30pm.

J.O.Y. is planned and supervised by Marty Culbertson and volunteer adult advisors interested in the personal and spiritual growth of early teenagers. The program is open to all 7th & 8th grade junior high school age youth regardless of denominational background or school affiliation. 

Programming includes weekly meetings and special events covering:
            Community service 

            Discussion & reflection 

            Fellowship & recreation 

            Wilderness Exploration

GROUP

for high school youth

GROUP is our ministry for teenagers in grades 9 through 12, offering a weekly program September through May. The program is open to all high school age youth regardless of denominational background. 

GROUP strives to make personal faith a living, growing part of life through relevant programs and fun events, emphasizing that it is in Christ that we find our meaning. The thrust of GROUP is to provide a sanctuary for teenagers where no question is stupid, no concern trivial. We are friends exploring the same path together in Christ. GROUP is the place to be for high school young adults. Our missionary efforts include trips to a soup kitchen at our sister church on the near west side of Cleveland and an annual summer work camp. 

GROUP meets on Sunday evenings during the school year from 6:30- 8:00 p.m.  GROUP is intended to belong to the youth in the group. The volunteer advisors and Rev. Mark Simone are there for adult leadership but their hope is for the youth participants to own the group and plan its activities. Leadership Team is the area of GROUP that provides this leadership and is open to any GROUP member who wishes to be part of the planning.

COLORADO

FAITH JOURNEY

For 24 years The Federated Church has embraced this amazing ministry for the youth of The Federated Church and the surrounding community.  Junior and Senior High kids from the Chagrin Valley and beyond have worked together to reach the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.  You do not need to be a member of Federated Church to participate, although we ask that you attend all required fund raisers and come to as many weekly Youth Group meetings as possible so that we may grow as a group on this Journey that starts long before we reach the mountains.

The basic agenda of the Colorado Trip features...

  • White Water Rafting
  • Rock Climbing
  • Rappeling
  • Backpacking

...through the Ministry of Noah's Ark Adventure Co. in Buena Vista, Colorado.

For more information, contact Marty Culbertson at mculbert@fedchurch.org. 

SUMMER

WORK CAMP

Each summer Rev. Mark Simone takes interested and committed high school youth to a destination where they can help a community in need.  They spend a week doing what needs to be done in that location.  It can be home repair, painting and roofing or refurbishing community spaces.  They get to know the community they are serving.

 

Past work camps have traveled to:

  • Maine Seacoast Mission (2015 & 2017)
  • Saugeen First Nation Reserve in Cananda (2014 & 2016)
  • Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota (2011)
  • DOOR in Chicago (2010)
  • Appalachian South Folklife Center in Pipestem, West Virginia (2009)
  • Addison County Community Action Group in Middlebury Vermont (2008)

 

The Federated Church work camp is open to any teen or college age person.  Preference is given, when space is limited, to Federated kids and teens who attend GROUP, Federated's senior high youth group, whether they are part of the Federated faith community or not. Please contact Rev. Mark Simone at msimone@fedchurch.org for more information.