Young people in the church are not just the “church of the future.” They are the church of today. At Saint Paul’s (in partnership with Saint Matthew’s, San Mateo) we seek to walk with our middle school and high school youth as they grow in faith, build community with one another, have fun, and discover their gifts as they seek to serve others.

Contact:  The Rev. Sr. Lynne Sharp

All three of the groups will be meeting most weeks at St. Paul’s, Burlingame on Sundays from 5-7pm. We begin with a shared activity and meal, and then break out into individual groups for the rest of the evening. Together we gather to strengthen community, learn more about how God works in our lives, and use our unique gifts to make a difference in the world. Together we will plan a mixture of fun and outreach activities with the groups.

Rite 13
Each Sunday from 5-7 p.m. the 6th and 7th graders and their friends gather together for activities, food, fun, and learning.  So much is changing when you are 11, 12 and 13.  The way we think about life and relationships is undergoing a major shift.  This is true in relationships with peers, parents, our community and God.  These changes are a gift from God. It is the way God created people to grow and mature into adults.  In Rite 13 we walk together to navigate these changes as we look anew at our relationships and how they are changing.  We celebrate the changes as a gift from God around the time each young person turns 13 in a special rite that recognizes that it is a gift from God that the young people are growing into adulthood.

Journey to Adulthood – J2A
The journey continues each Sunday from 5-7 p.m. as the 8th and 9th graders and their friends gather for food, activities, fun, and learning.  We recognize that these years are filled with excitement and challenges, and a growing awareness of our relationships.  J2A encourages teens to build and understand the role of Christian community in their lives, and to develop critical thinking and other skills that are needed as they move toward adulthood.  The second year of J2A includes a spiritual pilgrimage which is often a life-changing experience for the group, and then confirmation.

Young Adult Community – YAC
Sunday evenings 5-7, and other times to be determined by the group
YAC includes students in 10th through 12th grades and fosters the recognition that these young adults are gaining in skills and independence.  We continue to build community, have fun, and learn about our God-given gifts while giving more freedom for the youth to select topics and activities.  This mentor-based program focuses on discerning gifts for ministry within the church and larger community.  A final rite of passage will send them out to be Christians in the world.

Each month the youth of Saint Paul’s/Saint Matthews leave the building for fun with each other, or to be in service to others.  These are sometimes overnights, sometimes just a day away, but they are always times to grow closer to one another.  Outings this year will include:

• Six Flags Discovery Kingdom trip
• Nightwatch at Grace Cathedral (overnight in the Cathedral)
• Tree Lot
• Disneyland Trip
• Car Rally
•  Home & Hope

2012 Summer Mission Trip
Appalachian Mission
Corbin, Kentucky
Date: to be determined


For the past three summers, members of the St. Paul's/St. Matthew's youth group have made a difference for others in places very different from where we live. These weeks have been a time to offer our energy, to discover more about other people, and to learn about ourselves. In 2009, the group traveled to the Paiute Indian Reservation at Pyramid Lake, Nevada; in 2010, we went to Point Hope, Alaska to teach Vacation Bible School. In 2011 we helped build a house for a low-income family in Corbin, Kentucky. We look forward to another exciting service project in 2012!