What is EDGE?Our faith is not meant to be limited to classroom sessions and memorization. Our faith is meant to be more - to be alive. Through EDGE, our goal is to help middle school students meet Christ - to have an encounter with God who loves them, cherishes them, and desires to have a relationship with them. We want to encourage them to invest in their faith, to form meaningful relationships with peers and to encounter Jesus through the sacraments, through Scripture, through games and activities and through prayer - so that their faith may become truly alive! What happens at an EDGE Night?At EDGE Nights, students come to hang out, meet new people, play some of the most ridiculous games you've ever seen, listen to life-changing messages, get connected with caring teen and adult leaders, and get to know God in the process. EDGE is open to ALL Middle School Students, grades 6-8 of any denomination who are interested in learning more about the teachings of the Catholic Church. Every night is different. Every night is fun. But most importantly every night creates the opportunity to be in an open, honest atmosphere where people will discuss the truth on REAL issues middle schoolers are wondering about today. Come, check it out -- see what everyone’s talking about! NEW! EDGE ON MONDAYS!
After prayerful consideration, we decided to move EDGE to Monday nights starting in the 2019-2020 school year. Doors will open each night at 6pm for food and hang out time. EDGE will officially begin at 6:30pm. There are multiple reasons for the switch. First, we recognized the need for the time and opportunity to pray in the Church. On Sundays, music ministry is practicing for Mass so we are unable to be in there as often. Second, we see the desire for more time for social interaction and small group discussions. Youth have many questions about the faith and having time for more conversation is crucial to ensure we can answer their questions properly and to develop positive healthy relationships. Lastly, we hope to keep Sunday more restful and prayerful, less rushed before the 6pm Mass. We are excited for this opportunity to have EDGE on Mondays to allow the ministry to grow and better serve our middle schoolers! SEMESTER ONE SCHEDULE
The "Thou Shall" Series challenges the middle school youth to look at the Ten Commandments not as a list of rules of all the things they should not do, but rather as a guideline that brings them to live lives of true freedom and happiness. This semester introduces the youth to the Ten Commandments as a whole and unpacks the first five of the Ten Commandments.
SPECIAL EVENTSThroughout the year, Lake Country Life Teen hosts special events to bring teens closer to Christ. These events allow youth to go deeper into their faith in new and exciting ways. These events include Emmaus small groups, retreats, summer camp, game nights, and more! To learn more about special events offered for our EDGE middle school students, click here for more information. Our Lady of Perpetual Help
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2019-20 RegistrationResourcesMinistry ContactCorrie Christiaansen Associate Director of Student Ministries cchristiaansen@stcharleshartland.org |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What is large group?
EDGE impacts your middle schooler through two avenues: large group and small group gatherings. The large group gatherings are held in the Life Teen Cafe, where students first meet to interact in games and vibrant worship, as well as learn from an inspirational speaker. The goal of large group is to set up fun and meaningful discussions that take place in small group gatherings.
What is a small group?
Small groups provide the fuel that drives students to make good choices during the week. Usually, each small group is led by an adult leader and a high school leader. Each small group allows the opportunity to develop a group of Christian friends close to home, which leads to further encouragement and accountability. Our goal is that each small group remains together for the whole school year. On occasion, a group that grows too large will be split.
How do I volunteer to become part of EDGE?
Becoming a small group leader is a fun and exciting way to stay engaged with your own middle school student. We absolutely encourage parents to become small group leaders—and, with our rapidly expanding student ranks, we need you—but we do not permit parents to lead their own children during EDGE. Some students need more space than others and are far more likely to be candid in small group discussions when parents are not present. We’ll help find the best fit for you, as well as the right place to maximize your student’s experience in EDGE.
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How is my child's small group leader or group chosen?
Small group leaders volunteer to participate and then go through an interview/approval process before being selected to lead students. This process includes completion of the Archdiocesan "Safe Environment Training" and a background check every five years.
Can my child bring a friend to EDGE?
Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it. EDGE is designed to be fun and inspirational for every middle school student. We’re thrilled when your student is excited to share what he or she is experiencing at church. Middle school is a critical time when relationships can begin to get messy and emotionally challenging. Developing spiritual strength now will influence critical choices in the future and help to form friendships upon a foundation of faith in Christ.
How can I, as a parent, get involved with EDGE?
We’re glad you asked! There are a lot of ways to participate in the fun as you experience your own spiritual growth through serving. You can start by asking your student’s small group leader how you can support him or her. If you want to do more, consider becoming a small group leader. For more information, click on "Support" in the top menu.
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