Religious Education for 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Students
Edge is a Catholic religious education youth ministry program designed for sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students. The program was launched at St. John Neumann in the fall of 2007 and aims at meeting the educational, spiritual, emotional and social needs of young adolescents.
During these years, middle schoolers are quite moldable. They can often be strongly influenced by good and bad behaviors, as well as positive and negative ideas. Many of the values and beliefs that they held as children are now questioned and challenged. As young adolescents, they are trying to figure out who they are and what they believe.
In many respects, middle schoolers are “on the edge” because they are experiencing so much change in their lives physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially. It can be a very stressful time for them and their parents. As a Catholic community, we strive to be meeting these middle schoolers right where they are and bring them into a greater understanding of the Catholic Faith and a deeper, more committed relationship with Christ.
Edge is the required religious education for students who attend public schools and are preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation; however, all middle schoolers are also invited to participate. Edge meets on Monday evenings from 6:45 until 8:15 at St. John Neumann Church October through April
Throughout the school year, Edge Extras are offered as an additional opportunity for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders to connect with one another, build positive relationships with each other and with those who minister to this age group. Edge Extras are open to all sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, regardless of school, parish, or faith. Please also review our
NOTE: Edge Registration is NOT required for participation in the Edge Extras.
Edge Camp
Since 1994, St. John’s has been offering a week-long day camp for middle schoolers going into the seventh and eighth grade. The camp is designed to be a fun, community-building experience, connecting the middle schoolers with each other and high school teens who serve as positive, faith-filled role models and camp counselors. Edge approaches middle school religious education differently than the traditional classroom-style catechesis. We work to connect what they are learning about their faith with what they are experiencing in their daily lives. Our aim is to not only educate the middle schoolers about the Faith but to lead them to a conversion of heart, all through a comprehensive, community-centered program.