Now you are the body of Christ,
and each one of you is a part of it.
Students in grades 6 through 12 are invited to join an all-inclusive community that honors the unique gifts each person brings. Together students and invested adult leaders pray, serve, and have fun! There are weekly fellowship opportunities to help grow relationships with one another and God. Regular service opportunities and annual mission trips cultivate servant-leadership in Christ. St. Peter’s Youth Ministry is building the body of Christ, one relationship at a time.
About Zack Rugenstone, the Youth Minister:
Hi, I’m Zack. I grew up in northern Virginia with my parents and younger sister. Throughout middle and high school I was an active member in an Episcopal church that had an emphasis on service to the local community and abroad. After graduating high school I went on to get a degree in Criminology with minors in Psychology and Sociology from Longwood University. After graduation I went on to Chapel Hill, NC where I worked with the Episcopal Service Corps in a church, a correctional facility, and with an afterschool program for youth. From there I went on to Duke Divinity school where I met my now wife Sarah. Sarah and I graduated and moved to St. Louis together, along with our dog Gus and cat George. Upon our arrival to St. Louis, Sarah began working as a pastor at a local Methodist church and I joined the staff of St. Peters. Outside of St. Peters, I am also teaching a New Testament class at a local university and I am looking forward to exploring all the golf courses, bookstores and coffee shops in the area.
My beliefs:
I affirm the traditional beliefs of the Episcopal Church and the creeds that have been passed down through the generations.
I believe that social barriers are man made and harmful to the Kingdom of God. I believe that there is nothing that can separate you from the Love of God, that God wants a rich relationship with you, and that the relationship you have with God ought to produce an understanding of gratitude, generosity, and grace for our neighbors that is lived out daily.
I believe that one of the best ways we can do this is by service in our church, schools, and communities near and far. Through humble service to others we are preaching the gospel with our bodies, walking side by side with Jesus, and strengthening relationships with those around us.
FALL SEMESTER 2023
| DATE | WORLD EVENT | CHURCH EVENT | SUNDAY MORNING | SUNDAY EVENING |
| AUGUST | School Supply Drive | Whole Month | ||
| 8/20/2023 | Blessing of the Backpacks (School Supply Drive Ends) | Parent Meeting | ||
| 9/3/2023 | LABOR DAY WEEKEND (09/04) | NO SPY | ||
| 9/10/2023 | Kick off on 10th | KICK OFF!!! | ||
| 9/17/2023 | St. Peters Day Celebration | Community Building | ||
| 9/24/2023 | Being Involved on Sundays | |||
| 10/1/2023 | Service Event! | |||
| 10/8/2023 | COLUMBUS DAY WEEKEND (10/09) | Confirmation Class | Being True To Ourselves | |
| 10/15/2023 | OOT? | Family Fire Evening after 5pm | Being True To Ourselves | |
| 10/22/2023 | Confirmation Class | Being True To Ourselves | ||
| 10/29/2023 | HALLOWEEN (10/31) | Halloween Party | ||
| 11/5/2023 | DAYLIGHT SAVINGS (11/05) | Confirmation Class | Service Event! | |
| 11/12/2023 | Escape Room | |||
| 11/19/2023 | THANKSGIVING (11/23) | Confirmation Class | Gratitude | |
| 11/26/2023 | NO SPY | |||
| 12/3/2023 | Advent Begins | Confirmation Class | Preparing ourselves for Christmas | |
| 12/10/2023 | Preparing ourselves for Christmas | |||
| 12/17/2023 | Christmas Party! | |||
| 12/24/2023 | CHRISTMAS EVE | CHRISTMAS EVE | NO SPY | |
| 12/31/2023 | NEW YEARS EVE | NO SPY | ||
| 1/7/2023 | NO SPY | NO SPY | ||
| 1/14/2023 | SPY BACK | Welcome Back! | ||
| 1/21/2023 | Confirmation Classes Resume |
MORE DETAILS ON UPCOMING EVENTS
9/10 - KICK OFF!!: The youth group is going to kick off its year by getting really really messy. We are going to navigate through an obstacle course, compete in slip n slide hockey, and battle through a food fight. I’d suggest wearing clothes they can easily throw away as well as an extra towel / trash bag to sit on for the car ride home.
10/01 - Service Project: This Sunday evening the youth will be making toys for pets in local shelters, lunches for individuals who are in between housing, and making a meal for community members who are in need. There are plenty of ways for our youth can use their talents to give back to those who are in need around us.
10/08 - Confirmation Classes Begin : Confirmation classes begin on October 8th, and continue throughout the academic year until the Bishop’s visitation on April 28th. The class meets every other Sunday from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 to prepare the student for the Sacrament of Confirmation that the Bishop performs.
10/29 - Halloween Party: We are going to have an incredible Halloween Celebration complete with a costume contest, games, and prizes!
11/05 - Service Project: This service project is going to be one that the youth and Zack plan together to ensure that it's something they are passionate about and want to invest their service into.
11/12 - Escape Room!: The youth are going to get together to tackle the challenge of an Escape Room! Make sure you sign up on the website so we know that you’re joining us that Sunday evening.
Confirmation
Confirmation classes begin on October 8th, and continue throughout the academic year until the Bishop’s visitation on April 28th. The class meets every other Sunday from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 to prepare the student for the Sacrament of Confirmation that the Bishop performs. There will be additional Sundays off during the Advent and Christmas seasons.
To prepare for this big event, the students engage in a multi-week course of study, reflection, and worship as part of the community of St. Peter’s Church that is rooted in the tradition of the Episcopal church. The youth are also encouraged to participate in the youth community at St. Peter’s as a continuation of the confirmation curriculum. The Confirmation curriculum and youth group events are designed to engage teens in the questions and concerns of faith within the context of Episcopal teaching and tradition, emboldening them to develop their own answers.
Confirmation instruction for adults is also available!
If you have questions about the dates of classes, how to sign up, or need any more information on Confirmation, email Zack at