Faith Formation
Children and youth need a strong faith foundation to navigate the increasing challenges they face today. They are pulled in multiple directions: school, sports, and other activities. And they face peer-pressure and bullying. Even short, consistent engagement with God’s Word plants the seeds of faith and nourishes spiritual growth.
Children and youth meet every Sunday at 9:45am before worship for about 30 – 45 minutes for Christian education. They learn through stories, activities, and conversations with each other and the teacher all with an element of fun! Classes are on break during the summer months.
At various times throughout the year, they engage in intergenerational activities where adults, children, and youth learn together through fun activities. These include crafts, handouts, and games (including our favorite…Bunko!) And there’s always delicious food!
Confirmation
Youth in 7th grade begin an 18 month confirmation program to prepare them for active membership in the church. We use a Collaborate Curriculum that incorporates Presbyterian History & Doctrine as well as the Old & New Testaments. Questions, doubts, and more questions are all part of growing in our faith and these are encouraged in our lively discussions.
Each student is also assigned a mentor from the congregation to learn from each other as they grow in faith together.
Confirmation students all participate in worship services and do service projects as part of their learning. Their most recent service project included helping with the assembly of hygiene kits for Church World Service (CWS). Their new current on-going project is called the Matthew 25 Pill Bottle Donation. They collect, wash out, and ship empty colored medical pill bottles to developing countries to use to distrubute needed medication. They are not only helping their neighbors here, but around the world.
Ecumenical Youth Group
Youth from 6th grade and up are invited to join our ecumenical youth group. It doesn’t matter what church you belong to or even if you don’t attend a church. All are welcome!
Come join us once a month on a Sunday evening from 5-7:30 pm, for a meal that is provided, a short devotional time, crafts, games, and more. It is a time of fun, faith, and fellowship!
We are currently meeting at Zion Episcopal Church-140 W. Liberty St., Rome, NY.
This month, we will meet on Sunday, April 26, 2026