November Update!

This past Sunday was a blast!  Trunk or Treat was such an awesome event put on by our children’s ministry.  If you get a chance please congratulate Holly and her assistant Lauren on a job well done!  Over 2000 people were on our church campus, which makes it easily the biggest event we do all year.  I am so glad that we spent our Sunday night participating with the church body.   

 

Many different youth students helped run the event or dressed up and did a trunk.  I saw students running candy, dressed up as biblical characters, serving food.  It’s important to take time to be apart of the broader life of the church when we can.  Well done!

This weekend we took Layna to Arin and Nick’s farm for Frannie’s birthday party.  Arin and Nick are loyal youth volunteers, their commitment to the lives of our youth has been so encouraging.

 

I have to highlight what they did this weekend because it reflects exactly the atmosphere we are trying to create in our youth group.  They invited youth and their families to the party.  Of course Frannie is turning 6, it’s not like they were coming to play with the other six year olds.  They were inviting these families into their home to celebrate something special with their family.  The Sandora’s moved out to their farm so that it could be a source of hospitality to youth and to other families in the church.  Their heart is to love your kids through their family. The Sandora’s are truly a family that is becoming love. 

 

It’s a question I have been asking myself too, how can I open up my life to others so that I may love them through my family? How can I do life with others well?  I want to encourage you to consider how you can do the same.  The Sandora’s will tell you that it is a messy process, but it is so worth it!

This Month:

 

November is weird, we’ve got three Sundays that we have youth events, two are normal worship meetings, and the third is an awesome opportunity for your students to invite friends. (Get ready for lots of links to click)

Youth Worship  

 

The next two weeks we are spending time on a series called “When Life Gives You Lemons.”  The goal of the series is to address living life with anxiety and depression.  It’s a topic that I’ve noticed is very relevant to our youth group.  It’s something that needs to be addressed.  We have been given every reason to live joyfully in Christ, yet some of us deal with afflictions that rob us of joy.  The joy of living and walking intimately with Christ is something I want for each student.  Depression and anxiety will always linger in our lives but it doesn’t have to own us. 

Sunday November 18th

 

Thanksgiving Feast at Hogwarts : 

 

On November 18th from 6-8pm we are having a Harry Potter themed Thanksgiving party.  I know they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving at Hogwarts but there is something about watching those movies in the fall that feels special.  Several of our biggest Harry Potter fans, Rachel, Sarah Beth, and Meagan Helms are going to be decorating and designing some awesome games like quidditch!  We need families to provide food potluck style.  We need Thanksgiving or fall themed sides, entrees, and desserts.  We’ll cover plates, cups, and utensils, as well as drinks.  Please sign up to bring something here: https://goo.gl/forms/90B4wu8GD4cT93Sh1 

Confirmation Class

 

Our Spring 10-week Confirmation class is starting in January.  Confirmation equips 8th and 9th graders with the basics of Christianity and Methodism.  10th-12th grade students are welcomed and encouraged to join if they are interested in being confirmed or to just learn some of these concepts.  If you are interested in having your child be confirmed we are having a quick informational meeting after church Sunday December 2nd.  Sign up here: https://goo.gl/forms/FlGN1MF18Su8q5fW2 to register your child for confirmation.

6th and 7th grade Programming

 

We’ve received a lot of interest in programming for middle schoolers on Sunday morning.  We are planning on developing something for 6th and 7th graders during service on Sundays.  Our goal is to get this off the ground in January.  

 

It would look like a transition from KOG to attending church service.  We’d release the students from service right after music to do some curriculum and activities that will engage them more effectively at their age level.  The goal is that by 8th grade they would be prepared to regularly attend church service.  I am still looking for input into the function of the meetings, curriculum, and activities.  I want to tailor this to our younger students, as I want them to feel connected and engaged.  Follow this link to offer some much needed input if you haven’t already and you have a 6th or 7th grader. https://goo.gl/forms/hIRp7NF5hk3LZBTd2 

Stay Connected!

 

As always please stay updated with us through our Facebook page, Instagram page, and youth webpage.  Did you know that there is a page on our website dedicated to the youth ministry?  We just recently have brought it up to date.  It's the place to go to learn about upcoming events & programs.  Right now you can find all of the links to register for things like confirmation, youth meals, special events, and more!  The goal is for it to become the hub of youth information.  Check it out here: https://gracegnv.org/elev8/ 

 

(our social media accounts are linked below!)