Young Formation & Programs
St. Paul’s youth programs are open to all youth in grades 6-12. Descriptions for many of the programs are listed below.
If you have any questions or want to receive the monthly EYG newsletter, contact Brett Smith at brett@stpaulsfranklin.com.
Weekly Youth Events
Christian Formation meets in the Barnabas Conference Room on Sundays at 10 AM.
EYG meets in Barnabas on Sunday evenings from 5-7 PM.
Formation for Youth
Youth Christian Formation (Sunday School)
Youth Formation meets at 10 AM between church services in the Barnabas Conference Room. The goal of our time together is for students to develop a foundation for lifelong faith in an accessible and engaging way. Our curriculum this year, re:form, cultivates a safe space to ask questions about God, the Bible, and theology through activities, videos, and discussion prompts.
Episcopal Youth Group (EYG)
Episcopal Youth Group (EYG) meetings are on Sunday evenings from 5-7 PM in Barnabas, and all youth in grades 6-12 are encouraged to attend. Our time together prioritizes fellowship and community through dinner, games, and prayer. Occasionally we will use our time for service projects, outings, or attending special events together.
Confirmation Class
All 8th graders are invited to participate in Confirmation Class during the spring semester. This class is a journey for students to discover what they believe as Christians and Episcopalians and why — as well as what we do and why. Students are encouraged to ask questions and explore their faith in this safe environment.
Other Youth Programs
Mountain T.O.P.
A summer mission trip to Mountain Tennessee Outreach Project (Mountain T.O.P.) is a 30 year St. Paul’s tradition. Mountain T.O.P. serves families in Grundy County, one of the most impoverished counties in Tennessee, through home repair projects and day camps for children. For one week in the summer, teams of youth and adult leaders bond through unforgettable community service, worship, and Mountain T.O.P. traditions like Wacky Wednesday and campfires. In the fall, Mountain T.O.P. also hosts service weekends for adults and youth 18 and over.
Lock-Ins & Retreats
These overnight events provide our youth with a time to unplug from their daily schedules, grow in community with each other, and grow in faith through times of prayer and worship.
All youth must have this form completed in order to participate in any overnight or off-site events.
Pilgrimage
In the summer of 2026, juniors and seniors took the wonderful opportunity to join the biennial St. Paul’s youth Pilgrimage trip. Youth on our 2024 trip journeyed to the Isle of Iona, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Durham Cathedral, York Minster, and other spiritually meaningful locations in Scotland and England.
Fundraising
Shrove Tuesday at St. Paul’s means the youth Pancake Supper fundraiser! This event raises money for Mountain T.O.P and Pilgrimage. The youth also put on car park fundraisers in the Barnabas parking lot during major festivals in Franklin.
Youth Sunday
On this special Sunday, usually on Mother’s Day, our young people lead the church services in readings, prayers and even preaching. This day is a reminder that the youth aren’t just the church of the future, they are the church NOW!
