Grades 6 to 8 - Middle school

Many local school districts have recently announced they will be transitioning middle and high school students to a completely online learning model staring the week of November 2 through December. As St. Timothy’s stated via email earlier this week; “Our intent is to follow the actions of the surrounding school districts, namely Anoka-Hennepin and Spring Lake Park, where most of our children are enrolled.” Following this intent, St. Timothy’s middle school and high school students (grades 6-12) will shift to a completely online learning model of faith formation beginning Sunday, November 8 through Christmas break. Elementary children (pre-k through grade 5) are not currently a part of this change in format. 

We may have sensed this change was coming, but it’s difficult nonetheless. Your family is in the prayers of St. Timothy’s staff and parishioners during what may be another tough transition. To that end, we are offering four online sessions with Christian counselor Heather Goochey, MS, LCPP who will support parents in finding normalcy and reducing stress related to juggling work, teaching, and supporting their children through social isolation. Please scroll down for more information and email sttimothychurch@churchofsttimothy.com if you would like to participate. We hope you will join us.

If you have questions about middle and high school faith formation, contact Kristen Neuman in the parish office.

Fall 2020 update: the middle school ministry details below reflect adaptations we have made due to Covid-19 safety protocols.

To participant in 2020-2021 middle school ministry at St. Tim's, please register online. Contact Kristen Neuman, middle school and high school faith formation director, at the parish office if you have any questions.  

Overview:  
Middle school students learn faith experientially with activities, games, small group conversations, service, and more! Our curriculum is called “Edge” from LifeTeen - a Catholic youth ministry and faith formation organization. “Edge” follows the format below and engages students in faith-learning experiences in a fun yet powerful way. This style of learning fosters an energetic atmosphere of encounter and allows students to fully engage with their Catholic faith.

Date/Time:
Middle-schoolers meet on most Wednesday evenings, September 30 – March 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
For the 2020-2021 year, groups will gather either on site at St. Tim’s, online via Zoom, or a hybrid of each. Scroll down to view calendars for the 2020-2021 middle school faith formation year. Contact Kristen Neuman at the parish office for more information or if you want to enroll.

General Format:
6:30 – Opening, introduction to lesson, activity relating to lesson
6:45 – Main lesson of the night
7:10 – Small group conversation relating to lesson
7:30 – Closing prayer, announcements, etc
7:45 – Dismissal

Leaders:
Faith formation teachers/catechists are called “small group leaders.” They facilitate small group time by going through the given questions and guiding conversation among students. Parents and high school students are encouraged to be small group leaders. Contact Kristen to learn more about serving the small group leader ministry.

Service Projects:

• Each semester students participate in a service project as part of the curriculum. These vary each semester. Previous projects have included creating blessing bags for people experiencing homelessness and serving with Feed My Starving Children.
• Each middle schooler is also asked to complete two hours of service for others outside of the established curriculum. These projects could include: serving with Feed My Starving Children, helping a neighbor, writing cards, etc. Be creative! The link for the form is found below.
• After completing two hours of service, middle schoolers reflect on their experience by writing a service report. The service report is available through this link and is to be submitted to Kristen by March 12, 2021.

 
Bibles:
All new students to the program receive their own Bible which they will use through their middle school years and confirmation preparation. These Bibles have been blessed by Father Joe as part of our September 2020 faith formation kick-off and blessing. Students are expected to bring their Bibles to each session.

To learn more about the Edge, watch this five minute video for highlights of this dynamic middle school faith formation experience.
  
2020-2021 Calendars
Calendar for in-person and online via Zoom middle school ministry
Calendar for hybrid middle school ministry