Youth Ministry provides a safe environment for youth grades 7 through 12 to share their stories, use their gifts, make new friends, and strengthen the bond friendships. Holy Comforter provides youth an inclusive community that grows spiritually through fun, friendship, and service. We have an incredible group of young people who are thoughtful, inquisitive, spiritually aware, kind, and fun to be with. It is a privilege to be fellow travelers on their journey in life and in the never-ending discovery of the love of Christ in us all.

Our young people model for us respect and acceptance of those who are different. They hold our responsibility to our planet seriously and have a burning desire to help those in need, whether by delivering food and warm clothes to our Fairfax neighbors, or repairing homes and food warehouses in Puerto Rico. They enjoy participating in our worship of God by sharing their talents through Acolyting and reading every Sunday morning.

Our Youth Ministry benefits from our strong Children’s Ministry, under the leadership of Brynn Pacitti, and a teaching team where the bedrock work of encouraging and developing young minds in the ways of the Spirit is done. Our ministry continues to aspire to be sustaining and not fall apart when leaders leave or change.

To be truly sustaining we recognize that our whole church needs to be involved in the spiritual growth of our youth. We are blessed with strong support from our Clergy and Vestry and from a dedicated group of adult volunteer teachers: Chris Gordon, Ray Wadlow, Lizzy Norcott, Lynne Brents, Jessica Wadlow, Kip Brailey, and Kari Govan, who teach our Sunday School and Confirmation classes. Two longtime faithful teachers, Tim Davis and Hannah Picardi, who met in Youth Ministry, stepped aside this year to get married. We miss them and wish them well.

As we resume our Youth Group gatherings on Sunday afternoons, we are developing a strong group of parents who will provide the much-needed logistical support to allow these fun gatherings to happen. If you feel called to help our wonderful young people in their spiritual journey, whether as a teacher or as an occasional chaperone, please let us know and we will find a place for you. 

We have developed and implemented an accountability system for the success of our program by providing a written progress report to our Vestry representative each month. In addition, all who regularly work with youth are required to take Misconduct Prevention (Safe Church) Training, encouraging a conscientious community. We encourage feedback from youth, parents, and the congregation on how we are doing and welcome ideas on programs or any other topic—always remembering our primary role as faith builders. 

If you would like further information on any aspect of our Youth Ministry, please visit our website HERE or contact Denis McMullan.