Journey to Adulthood (J2A) is a comprehensive youth leadership and spiritual formation program that begins with sixth and seventh graders and is designed to go through grade twelve. An Episcopal church in North Carolina developed the program over a ten-year period. J2A is divided into three sections: Rite 13, J2A, and Young Adults in Church (YAC). The program is based on the exploration of the identities of self: the spiritual self, self in society, self in relationship to family and friends, and sexual self. The teachings are grounded in scripture, church history and tradition. The basic premise is that our physical life is a gift to be celebrated; however adulthood is earned.

J2A is designed to provide a spiritual framework for the experience of young people in our modern culture. It is divided up into the following age groups.

Level I Rite-3 (6th & 7th Grade)
Level II J2A (8th, 9th & 10th Grade)
Level III YAC (Young Adults in Church 11th-12th)

Rite-13

Beginning with a liturgical celebration of the gift of manhood and womanhood, the Rite-13 curriculum assists young people as they take the first steps of passage away from their families and into their own lives. In our society, we lack clear and safe rites of passage. Our young people are left with the confusion of their changing bodies, changing roles and changing expectations. The perils and symptoms of promiscuity, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and violence are all manifestations of the desire of young people to prove their gender. In this program, the community publicly acknowledges the gift of gender, celebrates the amazing creative power and potential of these young people. Rite-13 is a celebration of life and of life's energies in all their myriad of expressions. The curriculum is experiential and fun.

J2A

After 2 years in Rite-13, our young people move into the core program, Journey to Adulthood. In J2A, leaders blend action and contemplation in teaching young people. This second phase supports the work of knowing oneself and how that relates to church, society, and God. This section ends with preparation for Confirmation and a pilgrimage to seek Christ. We believe that, while manhood and womanhood are gifts from God, adulthood must be earned. In order to prepare our young people for adulthood, we seek to teach them basic skills, within a spiritual context. The skills are: active listening, negotiation, assertion, research and information management, partnership, and leadership. Key aspects of the program are included in the following affirmations:

1. I work on listening to God, to myself and to others.
2. I work toward self-knowledge and non-judgment.
3. I have something of value to contribute and I am willing to serve.
4. I actively build relationships and community.
5. I recognize the presence of fundamental laws governing all processes.
6. I practice compassion and celebrate the mystery of life.

YAC

Finally, the last years of the program encourages the young adults to take ever-increasing responsibility and partnership in the life of the parish and in the community at large. Stewardship giving of one's time, talent and treasure is a sure sign of adult responsibility and the members of YAC group are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the community. Guided by adult advisors, the YAC members are responsible for maintaining their group and establishing goals, service projects, and in addition, continuing their faith journey through prayer and study.

Summary

Journey to Adulthood addresses the transition from adolescence to full adulthood, within a spiritual context. It facilitates the development of a strong character and helps them mature as unique spiritual beings. J2A strengthens their sense of community and prepares them for the journey that lies ahead. J2A helps youth celebrate their individuality and creative potential, as well as instruct them in the skills necessary for their successful adult participation in our church community and in society as a whole. Most importantly it instills in them a sense of God's presence and shows them how to learn from and act out of that presence.