What is EDGE?EDGE is our middle school youth ministry, geared towards the needs of our 6th-8th graders. We know that our faith is not meant to be limited to classroom sessions and memorization, but that it 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?Our EDGE Nights consist of a large group session during which students come to hang out, meet new people, play some ridiculous games, and listen to life-changing messages. The night begins with a check-in with their small group, then we transition into large group games and a talk. We then break out into small groups to discuss the topic of the night and we end with a time of prayer.
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. At EDGE we seek to provide an environment in which young people can be in open and honest discussion about the REAL issues that they are dealing with. Our Patron Saint
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
The original icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help dates back to the 13th century and is still on display today in Rome, Italy. Each part of this image has special meaning and history. To learn more, click here. PrayerOur Lady of Perpetual Help, you have been blessed and favored by God. You became not only the Mother of the Redeemer but the Mother of the redeemed as well. We come to you today as your loving children. Watch over us and take care of us. As you held the child Jesus in your loving arms, so take us in your arms. Be a mother ready at every moment to help us. Intercede for us, dear Mother, in obtaining pardon for our sins, love for Jesus, final perseverance, and the grace always to call upon you, Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Amen. EDGE ON MONDAYS!EDGE Nights take place in person on Mondays from 6:30 to 8pm at St. Charles Parish during the school year. These nights are opportunities for our middle schoolers to meet together both in large groups to play games, hear talks, and pray together, as well as in small groups based on grade and gender. These small groups will remain consistent throughout the year to build community. FALL 2023 SEMESTER:September
Mapp My Life Series 25th - EDGE KICKOFF! October 2nd - NO EDGE 9th - EDGE Night 16th - EDGE Night 23th - EDGE Night 30th - NO EDGE November
6th - EDGE Night 13th - EDGE Night 20th - EDGE Night 27th - EDGE Night December 4th - NO EDGE 11th - End of Semester Bash! SPRING 2024 SEMESTER:January
TBD Series 8th - EDGE Night 15th - NO EDGE 22nd - EDGE Night 29th - EDGE Night February 5th - EDGE Night 12th - NO EDGE 19th - EDGE Night 26th - EDGE Night March 4th - EDGE Night 11th - EDGE Night 18th - EDGE Night 25th - NO EDGE April 1st - NO EDGE 8th - EDGE Night 15th - EDGE Night 22nd - EDGE Night 29th - End of the Year Bash! 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 retreats, summer camp, game nights, and more! To learn more about special events offered for our EDGE middle school students, click here. 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSWhat are large groups? 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 are small groups? 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. With this in mind, small groups are assigned after registration is completed. How do I volunteer to become a 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. How is my child's small group leader 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. Your child will be assigned to the small group of one of our volunteers after completion of registration. How can I be involved without being a small group leader? 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. We are always in need of people to be our "Life Support." This includes things like providing snacks for our nights, praying for our teens, chaperoning trips, and even doing some office work. If you're interested in helping in one of these ways for our middle school students, please email Rachel at rheffron@stcharleshartland.org. 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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