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Youth Ministry 2008/2009

What a great year we have in store for our young people (grades 8-12)! The goal of this year’s youth ministry is to build an excited team of young people who will work well together as a team to make a difference in our world.

The culmination of our year will be a week long work and ministry adventure at a United Methodist camp in West Virginia. During this year long experience each young person (and adult volunteer) will be challenged to deepen their faith in Jesus Christ, while learning the wonderful truth of our Lord’s statement, “It is better to give than to receive.”

What will we be doing this year?

Weekly Youth Gatherings
Our weekly youth gatherings are held on Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 pm. These gatherings are the key to the team building and Christian growth that this year is really all about. There will be activities, devotions, and food… all geared to having fun, learning, and team building.

Trip to Monadnock
Our winter trip to Monandnock is one of the highlights of our year together. The kids always have a great time! There is lots to do and some great worship. Everybody comes back exhausted, but we wouldn’t miss it.

Going to West Virginia!
A week-long “work” adventure in West Virginia at the Spring Heights Education Center in Spencer, WV. Their website is http://users.wirefire.com/umcamp/ We will be working both at the camp and in the local community doing repairs and building projects for those in need. We are bringing some experts with us… Ron Eby is going to be our construction foreman and our medical expert will be Mike McBride RN. We are also hoping to be able to make a FUN stop on our way home – a well deserved good time after a good week of work!

Where is Spencer West Virginia?
How much will the trip cost?		$200 per person. That includes the on-site meals, housing, fuel, etc. There will need to be additional monies raised through church and youth FUNdraisers. There is a $100 deposit required $25 dollars by October 12th $75 dollars by November 16th
When is the trip?		July 5 – 12, 2009
For Parents		We will have a nurse, Mike McBride as one of our adult volunteers. Mike will respond to medical situations. Mike will also hand out all the meds. There will be a cell phone number you can call to reach your child if needed.
Things you need to know This year is serious business and we are hoping (and believing) for great things; for that reason there are some things we are asking of our youth (at each Youth Group meeting). *Focused Attention* * There will be no use of cell phones or other electronic devices during youth group gatherings or events. * No pets allowed. * No books unless required by the youth leaders. * Timely arrival to and from gatherings is expected. Since we are building a team - a team with a mission - it is vital that all the youth be present at gatherings and youth events. *Appropriate Relationships* * Respect for leaders. * Respect for one another. * Respect for the group mission. * No public displays of affection. * Appropriate dress. * Kindness to one another in language and behavior. * Use of appropriate language (including, but not limited to “no foul language”). *Full Participation* * Participation in youth group gatherings and events is a privilege. If a young person refuses to participate or is acting in an otherwise inappropriate manner his or her parents will be informed. Continued behavior may lead to the youth not being allowed to participate in future youth gatherings and events, including the summer work adventure. *For Safety’s Sake* * Drivers for all activities must be 21 years of age. * All youth leaders must submit to a current CORI check.