TEEN FRIENDSHIPS & FAITH EXPLORATION

Grades 6-8

Confirmation meets Wednesdays from 6:15-7:15pm. Our Confirmation program is centered around the belief that, as people of faith, we always belong and are always in the process of becoming the people God created us to be. It is a journey and we are not alone; we have been given companions and this community of faith to help us grow, know God, and serve others. Adolescence is a time of discovery, of asking new questions, of branching out and trying new things, all the while trying to figure out who we are. As youth go through our confirmation program, we want to help them ask significant questions of faith and life, but we also want them to rest in the assurance that they always belong to God, and they belong here in this community of faith.

Shepherd’s confirmation program lasts for three years, and rotates each year studying parts of the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Small Catechism. It is each family’s choice whether their child participates in the confirmation program. At the end of the program, students are invited to affirm their baptism. What this means is students make a commitment to following God and to continuing to learn and grow as God’s children. Confirmation is NOT a requirement for membership at Shepherd of the Hills.

SUMMER FESTIVAL CAMP - MIDDLE SCHOOL
Summer Festival Camp (SFC) offers a four-day retreat for teens to build friendships, have fun, and grow in faith. Middle School is July 19–22 is held at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. Forms and deposits are due June 1 to help coordinate carpooling and volunteers. Click HERE for more information.

Grades 9-12

This fall, our Wednesday night Evening WoW Bible Study and Confirmation combine as part of an exciting new opportunity called Story Circle & Faith Lab where we explore how God's Story connects to our stories across generations. Inspired by a "one-room schoolhouse" approach, children, teens, and adults will gather to explore Old Testament stories together before breaking into age-specific groups for discussion and activities. From 6:15 to 7:15p, we'll discover together who God is, ask honest questions, and explore how these ancient stories continue to shape our lives today.

Youth Group meets on Wednesdays from 7:15-8:00pm. We facilitate space for high school students to come together, bring friends, check-in, play, laugh, sometimes bake, and keep exploring how faith connects and responds to current events and daily life.

HIGH SCHOOL CAMP
Summer Festival Camp (SFC) offers a four-day retreat for teens to build friendships, have fun, and grow in faith. High School Camp is July 12–15, 2026 and is held at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. Each day includes engaging speakers, games, music, and activities designed to connect real life and faith. Forms and deposits are due June 1 to help coordinate carpooling and volunteers. Click HERE for more information or contact Aym.

All Teens

Middle school and high school students come together to play and serve together during the year. Watch the “This Week…” email for dates and details for all social and/or service events.

Coffee Hour Buddies meets second and fourth Sundays of the month September to May. Trained adults are matched with children & teens. Guided questions about the sermon series are provided to help buddies connect for as many minutes as their age (i.e. 3 minutes for 3 year olds, 15 minutes for fifteen year olds) during coffee hour after worship at 10:30 am.

Dinner Church, 6:00-7:00 pm every third Wednesday upstairs, helps us develop relationships across generations. All ages are welcome, so invite grandparents, neighbors and friends for delicious food, connection with others, intergenerational conversations, worship with song, simple Scripture lesson, Holy Communion, and spiritual practice or service project. Teens are invited to serve and lead. During Lent we meet every Wednesday and will focus on the Lenten Sermon Series theme.

Teens are invited into Sunday morning worship leadership serving as an acolyte, reading the lesson, ushering, singing in choir, assisting with Sunday School, etc.