Our church has three youth groups for children from 3rd grade through high school, which gather for fellowship, retreats, mission, music and games. The groups are led by a pastor and parent volunteers and meet throughout the academic year. Meetings vary, so please check the Calendar.
- Lord’s Little People – Grades 3-5
- Rising Stars – Grades 6-8
- Crossroads – Grades 9-12
Fellowship
“Youth group is a fun fellowship time and a good way to get to know other kids my own age. I feel like I am welcomed in church and that I am part of what goes on there and that I can always count on my church friends to be there for me.” – Ellen
Past activities have included pizza parties, bowling, game nights, snow tubing, retreats and mission trips. Our church’s youth experience the larger church by participating in Presbytery retreats and youth rallies. For high school students, discussions and workshops are held providing an open and honest place to talk about sex, drugs and alcohol abuse, and relationships. These classes are held in conjunction with a class for parents that encourages open communication at home.
Mission
“I’ve also enjoyed the mission trips and youth retreats. They were awesome outreach experiences where we got to put our faith into action outside our church home.” -Emily
The mission component energizes the youth groups. They work throughout the year at soup kitchens. They spend time at homeless shelters with the residents, run clothing and toy drives, cook casseroles for the Cold Weather Shelter, and assemble care packages for troops overseas. They participate in the CROP Walk, and prepare and serve lunch to the congregation on Souper Bowl Sunday to raise funds to fight hunger.
Occasionally, the high school students have worked to raise funds for a week-long summer mission trip to different areas of the country, which has included Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and West Virginia. When they return home, they lead a worship service and share the experiences that have profoundly affected them.