Christian Education & Formation
for Youth
We also offer Adult Christian Education & Formation and Children’s Christian Education & Formation.
Our formation as Christians continues throughout our entire lives. With that in mind, our offerings are intended to support the process of learning and becoming that God calls us to.
These programs below are designed specifically for young people, but their formation as Christians also requires an important intergenerational space: the liturgy of the Eucharist. Here, youth take their place as full and significant members of the church. They participate in the Eucharist as they have been since they were young children. Just like adults, important things are happening for them even when we cannot see it. This is why all none of our education programs overlap with this central part of our life together, the Sunday Eucharist.
Some youth like to help lead worship as acolytes, readers, or greeters; you can read more here.
Sunday School for 2026-27
Our Sunday School program includes a class especially for 7th-9thth grade, and 10th-12th graders are invited to join the Adult class.
Sunday School for ages 3-12, 7th-8th grade, and adults happens at the same time: after our 9:30AM church service on the third and fourth Sundays of the month. Please see our flyer for the 2026-2027 Sunday School dates [coming soon].
Youth Sunday School
(7th -9th grade)
All our youth programs are designed with community-building and shared learning in mind. Upon graduating from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd after age 12, young people join a combined class with people 13 years old through 9th grade.
Starting in 2026, we will be using a program called Feasting on the Word. This is focused on the Scripture passages that are read during the service that day, and engages young people in asking “So what?” while also providing a foundation for further Bible Study. It includes a variety of ways to engage, not just sitting and talking!
Youth Group (8th-12th grades)
Once students are in 8th grade, they are also invited to join Youth Group, which meets on Sunday evenings.
Young people gather, together with our adult volunteers, to make and eat dinner throughout the school year. Members of the group are encouraged and empowered to take part in service, parish leadership, diocesan youth ministry opportunities and more. Our focus on a weekly basis is fellowship and community, as well as developing a shared prayer life, supporting all those who participate. The Youth group is open to all, including any young people in the congregation (and their friends), regardless of ability to take part in Sunday morning activities.
And every other year, 10th-12th grade students are invited to attend a yearlong Confirmation Class. At the end of this class they may choose to be confirmed by our bishops in a special diocesan service. Our current Confirmation Class starts September 2026.
If your child is interested in attending any of these programs, or if you have questions, please email Mtr. Emily at assistantrector@ourredeemerlexington.org or call her at 617 637 6489.
Confirmation Class (10th-12th grades)
Every other year, students in 10th-12th grade are invited to attend our Confirmation Class, led by the Associate Rector. We learn about the basic beliefs of Christianity, as well as the particulars of the Episcopal Church in the Anglican Communion–-and we also discuss almost anything that students bring in to wonder about!
In the spring, students choose if they would like to be confirmed by our bishops as an adult statement of faith, affirming the vows taken on their behalf at baptism and receiving a special blessing passed on since the time of the apostles.
Our current class starts in the fall of 2026.
