Youth Ministry
No matter who you are, no matter where you are on your journey, you are welcome here!
Here at RPC we do our best to provide a safe place where all youth feel loved and at home as we walk alongside one another on the journey of faith and share God's love with the world.
Co-Pastors Dan Love and Cari Pattison will continue their involvement with the teens of our church. Together, they will lead Middle School Connection twice a month on Wednesday nights. Additionally, they will coordinate service and fellowship opportunities for high schoolers that vary between Saturdays and Sundays. As always, 9th graders will enjoy the usual rich experience of regularly scheduled confirmation class with Dan, supported by occasional teaching from Cari.
We look forward to shared support from our youth ministry volunteers, as well as youth deacons and elders, to continuing to grow together in faith and friendship. Stay tuned for calendar details! Feel free to reach out to the Co-Pastors with any questions, ideas, and to learn more about how to get involved.
Middle School Connection
All 6th-8th graders are welcome at RPC's Middle School Connection!
RPC's Middle School Connection typically meets the first and third Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the downstairs Youth Rooms. We start with dinner followed by 45 minutes of games, learning, and fun. All 6-8 graders are welcome, as well as parent volunteers! If you have questions or are interested in helping out, please contact either Rev. Dan Love or Rev. Cari Pattison.
For up-to-date meeting information, please visit Ongoing Events.
High School Youth Group
All 9th-12th graders are welcome at RPC's High School Youth Group!
The RPC High School Youth group meets roughly twice per month, mixing dinner and time together with service in our local community. If you have questions, please contact either Rev. Dan Love or Rev. Cari Pattison.
For up-to-date meeting information, please visit Ongoing Events.
Confirmation
How can science fit with what is taught in church? What is the bible all about? If God is so good… why do bad things happen? What makes Christianity different?
Each year the confirmation class explores these questions and many more as together we explore the bible story and the life of faith. Not every ninth grader may be asking these questions or eager to take on extra work as high school begins. Yet Confirmation class is a unique opportunity to explore the life of faith at this important point in your own life journey.
Starting in September, each class meets throughout the year and is active in many aspects of the church, including the traditional duty as Sunday crucifer.
If you are a ninth grader, or if have a child who is in ninth grade, please contact Rev. Love with any questions you may have. You can find registration information for the class and other Confirmation resources on the Confirmation page of the church website.
High School service Trips
Stay tuned for more information in 2027 about out upcoming Summer Service Trip!
Youth MUsic
Summer Volunteer Choir Encore
One More Summer Volunteer Choir Gathering on September 13
Join us on September 13 for one more Summer Volunteer Choir Sunday! Anyone (middle school age and older) is welcome to gather in the chapel that morning for a 9:30 rehearsal to learn a simple piece of music to sing in the 10:00 service. You get to sit with your family or friends during worship, and you do not wear a robe. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and to find your way into the church’s music ministry. Please email Jason Charneski if you plan to be there, as it helps him to prepare materials for you.
Chancel Choir
Resumes Sunday, September 27. New Singers Always Welcome!
The Chancel Choir (open to those high-school age and older) will resume its ministry on September 27. New singers always are welcome! While being able to read music is helpful, the main criterion is the ability to match and maintain pitch. Section Leaders (professional musicians) assist and inspire all singers, and we are able to provide childcare for those who would like to sing but feel that they need to tend to their children. See the flyer for more information.
The usual schedule is a Sundays-only affair: Warm-up at 9:15 a.m., sing the 10:00 a.m. service, and then the weekly rehearsal from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There are times (closer to Christmas and Easter, for example) when the timeframe will be a bit longer (earlier warm-up time and/or later rehearsal end time).
In addition to our annual Cantata Sunday (December 13) and Jazz Sunday (February 28), a highlight this season will be joining with the choir of First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan (Conn.) for a concert there the afternoon of Sunday, April 25, with the program repeated here the afternoon of Sunday, May 2.
Your willingness to sing – even if you need to be away at times – enhances the musical, communal, and faith life of the choir and the church. Please speak with, call (914-967-0842, x. 16), or email Jason Charneski if you are interested or have questions.
Youth leadership opportunities
There are a variety of ways our youth can share their time and gifts with the church!
All youth are invited to read scripture, serve as ushers, or share any musical gifts with us during Sunday worship. Our high school youth are also welcome to help lead Sunday School or our monthly Table gatherings. And their voices are always welcome on any of our church's committees!
If you are interested in serving the church through any of these roles, or if you think of another way you wish to serve, please contact either Rev. Dan Love or Rev. Cari Pattison.