Youth News

Welcome to the St. Michael’s “Peace Core,” a program that offers you the opportunity to independently explore and define your own spiritual path.

Anybody between 6th and 12th grade may become a “Peace Core” candidate. You will be asked to commit 24 hours toward pursuing peace in two core areas: community service and inner spiritual growth. You’ll begin this process by sitting down with the Youth Team to talk about your needs and desires. Questions like “What would you like to do to make the world a better place?” “What does a more peaceful world look like to you?” “What does a more peaceful YOU look like to you?” will be asked.

We’ll listen. We’ll make suggestions and offer resources. Then with our help, you’ll make a plan for the first 10 hours. We’ll encourage you to explore both community service and inner spiritual growth in those first 10 hours, but you will ultimately decide where and how you’ll spend your time.

The program offers you virtually unlimited choices. Do you attend 2+4+6 on a regular basis? Great. Why not teach a session and apply that toward your “Peace Core” hours? Are you ready to challenge and explore your faith through our Yes to Baptism (Y2B) program? Let the confirmation process be a part of your “Peace Core” experience. Are you doing mission work through another church? We want to hear about it and make sure that you get Peace Core credit. St. Michael & All Angels is here to support and nurture your spiritual life as you and God define it.

You will be given a time card to record completion of the required hours. (Community service hours must be verified by a signature). We’ll then schedule a follow up meeting to review the completion of the first four required hours. Fulfill the hour requirements at your own pace. The process could take 6 months or it could take two years. We will schedule periodic follow up meetings to make sure that the plan is working for you. These meetings will involve more than just than a timesheet review. They will be conversations to make sure that the “Peace Core” program is meeting your needs and fostering spiritual growth. After 20 hours have been successfully completed, the Youth Team will work with you to plan a testimonial of your experience. A slide show, a video project, a Messenger article, a song or a sermon are just some of the ways that you can witness and put your experience into perspective. Upon successful completion of the 24 required hours you will receive:

• A certificate signifying completion of the “Peace Core” program
• A letter of commendation written by the STMAA Associate for Youth Ministry
• A public blessing before the community of St. Michael & All Angels

For more information regarding the STMAA Peace Core Program join us for the Annual Youth Retreat Sept. 13 & 14, or come to our first 2+4+6 session on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 4PM. You can also contact the Youth Ministry Office at 503/284-7141, ext. 319; or e-mail us at stmaayouth@stmaa.org.