Grace Episcopal Church: Youth Programs
Deep Roots, Open Doors
Engaging People in Change (EPIC)
Engaging People in Change (EPIC) is a leadership-building program for high school students in rural Northeast Dutchess County. In weekly youth-directed meetings, students discuss the social justice issues that matter to them and create activist projects to make a change in their communities. This group empowers young people to be leaders, advocates, learn new skills, and to be a part of something important. We are a diverse and bilingual (English/Spanish) group; all of our students come from immigrant families. Our students attend conferences, give workshops and presentations, consult with adults involved in youth programming, and shift the dialogue around youth and civic engagement. Additionally, the program provides targeted educational case management to students, guiding applications to enrichment programs, tracking students throughout their college application process and beyond, and serving as a liaison between the students, their families, the schools, and the social services they may access. We also offer assistance with the legal process to obtain Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) for our students who came to the United States independently as teenagers from Guatemala.
EPIC is now proudly on Instagram @epicjustice.
EPIC is now proudly on Instagram @epicjustice.
Millbrook Community Preschool
Millbrook Community Preschool at Grace Church was established in 2006 and has been setting a standard of excellence in early childhood education ever since. We are a traditional morning preschool for children ages three to five. We offer an inclusive, open, non-denominational preschool program based on the beautiful grounds of Grace Church in a spacious, recently-renovated school. Our curriculum includes music and movement classes, . Our experienced and passionate teaching staff is committed to whole-child approach to learning, and instilling in each child a sense of belonging and worth, while reinforcing self-help skills and supporting growing independence.
We believe that preschool-aged children should sing, dance, imagine, paint, bake, and laugh their way to kindergarten. The early years should be fun, hands-on, and when necessary, messy. At a time when the notion of academics is becoming more and more prevalent in the early learning classroom, we stand by the paramount importance of play that promotes intuitive, self-led exploration and discovery.
Learn more about the fellow's role at the preschool here.
We believe that preschool-aged children should sing, dance, imagine, paint, bake, and laugh their way to kindergarten. The early years should be fun, hands-on, and when necessary, messy. At a time when the notion of academics is becoming more and more prevalent in the early learning classroom, we stand by the paramount importance of play that promotes intuitive, self-led exploration and discovery.
Learn more about the fellow's role at the preschool here.
Connect
Connect is a year-round program for middle- and high-school students ages 12-18. Our group gathers twice a month to form supportive friendships, nurture spiritual growth and cultivate ourselves as engaged and creative members of our communities. Together, we learn how to listen and tune in to God’s loving guidance to better understand how we are called to express ourselves creatively in service to the world. Through youth- and adult-led activities, we explore our spirituality through the lenses of religion, nature, current world events and the creative arts. We learn the histories of our and our neighbors’ identities to deepen our awareness of our place in the modern world. How are we called to serve? To create new worlds? What are the needs and desires of those around us, and how do we feel called to engage with them? What tools must we develop to carry out our work and further our mission to help build a world of sustainable peace, just leadership, radical service and creative freedom? Join us on this adventure to find your own answers to these questions!
Here are some of the things we’ve done together this past year:
-cooking
-apple-picking
-contemplative prayer
-guided meditation
-new year’s resolution setting
-talent show
-poetry workshop
-comedy writing workshop
-group singing lesson
-exploration of Lent
-visit to a choir concert
-walk along Canoe Hill Road in Millbrook
-conversation with faith leaders about religious identity
-sleepover!
This summer, we are going on a service learning trip to Lewiston, Maine! From July 8th-14th, we will reside at the First Universalist Church of Auburn and work alongside youth and leaders of Tree Street Youth, a local non-profit which seeks to empower young people academically, socially and emotionally through providing programs rooted in the arts, academics and athletics in a safe environment.
Here are some of the things we’ve done together this past year:
-cooking
-apple-picking
-contemplative prayer
-guided meditation
-new year’s resolution setting
-talent show
-poetry workshop
-comedy writing workshop
-group singing lesson
-exploration of Lent
-visit to a choir concert
-walk along Canoe Hill Road in Millbrook
-conversation with faith leaders about religious identity
-sleepover!
This summer, we are going on a service learning trip to Lewiston, Maine! From July 8th-14th, we will reside at the First Universalist Church of Auburn and work alongside youth and leaders of Tree Street Youth, a local non-profit which seeks to empower young people academically, socially and emotionally through providing programs rooted in the arts, academics and athletics in a safe environment.
Sunday School
Be a part of the Sunday School and lead discussions, games, and activities each week around spirituality.
The Praxis Position: Coordinator for New Generation Ministries
Position Description
This praxis position is unique because it situates the fellow at the intersection of multiple projects and ministries that empower the new generation, broadly defined. The fellow's time is split between the following:
Position Requirements
This praxis position is unique because it situates the fellow at the intersection of multiple projects and ministries that empower the new generation, broadly defined. The fellow's time is split between the following:
- In the pre-school, the fellow will actively engage in activities in support of the staff and children. They will be responsible for sharing their particular interests and skills with the children. Outside of daily school activities, the fellow will assist the director in administrative duties as needed, including fundraising support, digital media and advertising support, and clerical duties relating to enrollment and registration.
- In EPIC, the fellow will attend two Friday-night meetings per month, assisting with transportation, set-up and clean-up, and being a part of our glorious family: trying new things, communicating, advocating for ourselves, and going beyond!
- At Connect, the fellow will serve as a principal coordinator of this youth group and will plan and implement regional meetings, working collaboratively with a team of clergy and lay volunteers.
- Surprise! Churches are constantly-evolving. New opportunities to engage with new generations will emerge.
Position Requirements
- Must have a valid driver's license or be willing to get one in the first month of the fellowship.
- Must feel comfortable with Google Suite and social media platforms.
- Must be flexible and relish the opportunity to be a part of several different groups and projects.