Youth @ Knox
Confirmation at Knox
We are reinstating a Confirmation Program for those youth who are in grade 6 and above. This group will meet monthly from October to May, culminating in a confirmation service where the participants will take part and confirm their membership in our Christian Community. The program is being designed to encourage the exploration, questioning, and discussion of every aspect of a faith journey. Our goal is not to present answers to participants, but to encourage them to formulate their own set of beliefs. We hope that their own understanding of God will move significantly from being one of an external, distant deity to one that is far more internal, intimate, and ever-present. Participants will be encouraged to participate in worship in a variety of ways. The confirmation program will begin after Thanksgiving. Though not a requirement, confirmation participants will be encouraged to attend the overnight activities listed below.
Special overnight events for youth
We are planning several overnights at Knox to become better acquainted, explore important issues, provide service to others, and to build a cohesive community for youth within the broader Knox Community. During each of these events, participants will engage in the various activities that enable us to spend the time together and sustain us. Everyone will have a turn at set-up, cooking, clean-up, etc. Adult volunteers from our community will also be present and participating. If you have an interest in volunteering, please contact “Dr. Dan” at dmoulton@knoxunited.ab.ca or by calling 403-269-8382 ext. 29.
Exploring relationships
We have so many different relationships in our lives. Many affirm us and help us grow to our potentials. Others influence us in ways that hinder our development and growth. Some friendships are the kinds that last a lifetime while others we would like to end quickly and may have difficulty doing so. We form relationships with friends, families, adults, other youth, potential dates or partners, among people with whom we go to school and work, as well as those interested in pursuing the same activities that interest us.
- How do we form and end relationships?
- How do we relate to each of these people?
- How do we know when a friendship is good for us?
- How do we know when it is keeping us from being who we are at our best?
- What do we want from our different relationships?
- How do we relate to our own sense of spirituality?
- How do we relate to others' sprituality?
- What is our relationship with the larger church community? the larger city community? the country? the world?
These are all questions that we can explore during this weekend together. We will use a variety of different activities to encourage open discussion and sharing – in pairs, small groups and large groups. We will view and discuss films that present various relationships. We will also engage in activities for the simple enjoyment of the activity and to strengthen our relationships with each other.
Sexuality- Beyond the Plumbing
Most students learn something about Human Sexuality in their health classes at school. These courses present the reproductive systems and discuss the various ways that our bodies are designed to reproduce themselves. Because public schools need to attend to a wide range of cultures and backgrounds, little is discussed about sexuality in terms of relationships, responsibilities, morality, and their futures. This overnight offering is an opportunity for youth to raise any questions they have regarding sexuality and to discuss their values, their fears, their concerns, and their curiosities. No topic is taboo. However, we may need to explore the answers to some questions together to ensure that we find factual information and to bring it into the discussion of the group. We will review information they may have covered in school as well as explore other areas not always included in school sexuality programs. Topics will likely include:
We will engage in discussion in pairs, small group and large group. We will employ a question box to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to have their questions answered without embarrassment. When appropriate, film resources may also be used.
Other opportunities for youth
Youth (Jr. & Sr. High School aged people) are an important part of our community at Knox United Church Calgary. We endeavour to provide an environment where young people can explore their understanding of what it is to be a member of a faith community.
Rather than structure a “Sunday School” experience for our youth, we encourage our young people to become involved in the community through our Theatre Collective, our music programs, our ministry with Inn From the Cold, and in specialized group activities to encourage a sense of community among themselves. One of the Huda Hakawi rooms has been specially created as a Youth Lounge in order to facilitate an informal opportunity to meet with similarly interested youth. If you have an interest in the establishment of a specialized interest group, please contact our youth coordinator “Dr. Dan” Moulton at: (403) 269-8382 (ext. 29) or by email: dmoulton@knoxunited.ab.ca. Some examples of groups are: Exploring our Spirituality, Knox Youth Ski Group, Drop In Coffee And Refreshment Group, Exploring the Meaning of Popular Films, Book Club, and Peace Keepers. Groups meet at times convenient for participants and are led by various members of the community. Feel free to contact Dr. Dan for more information.
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