Mission trips can be a pivotal moment in a young persons development as our passions, the world's need, and God's call come together in meaningful and concrete ways. In order to expand the opportunities for mission that we can offer we will partner with Collegiate UMC next summer.
First, we will have a joint middle school mission trip to Omaha, Nebraska from Wednesday, June 23rd until Sunday June 27th. This is an exciting addition to our youth program, and we encourage all youth currently in 6-8th grade to save the dates.
Second, we will have two options for the Appalachia Service Project. Collegiate UMC and First UMC will work together to send back to back ASP trips from July 24-August 1 and from July 31-August 8. This will offer greater flexibility for individuals and give us the chance to work side by side with our neighbors from Ames.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Summer Stretch
I'm part of a group of area youth leaders called the Story Protestant Youth Network (SPYN). SPYN is currently making plans for a summer program with and for youth called Summer Stretch. This will be a program for middle school youth, led by high school youth, supervised by parents and other adult leaders. It will include worship, service, and games every Wednesday in July, and a trip to an amusement park on August 4th. More information will be available as we work out the details.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Confirmation Update
Confirmation is off to a great start! We have begun meeting with mentors, shared the basic outline and expectations for the year, and crafted a confirmation class covenant.
A covenant is a relational agreement, and in confirmation this year it is our primary tool for maintaining accountability and support. We have formed our covenant around the historic 3 Simple Rules of Methodist societies: Do no harm; Do good; Stay in love with God. The confirmation class created this covenant to help us live those rules.
Do No Harm:
1) Don't use drugs, tobacco, or alcohol
2) Don't fight with our siblings
3) Don't gossip or put people down
Do Good:
1) Help someone else each week
2) Visit the lonely once in each month
3) Stand up for someone else
Stay In Love With God:
1) Pray 3 times each week
2) Be in worship once each week
3) Read a chapter of the Bible once each week
Each member of the class has a Class Card to show they are a member of the class, and each card has the covenant written on it to help us remember.
As we go forward in this year, I would ask you to support and encourage the confirmation youth. Help them to know that just as they are gaining more freedom and responsibility in other areas of their lives, they are being prepared to take more responsibility for their own faith. Encourage them to ask questions about their faith and yours, and know that you don't always have answers and that you don't need to. The journey of faith involves shared exploration, shared questions, and shared discoveries. Please continue to pray for and with our youth, that they will find their lives transformed by God's love.
A covenant is a relational agreement, and in confirmation this year it is our primary tool for maintaining accountability and support. We have formed our covenant around the historic 3 Simple Rules of Methodist societies: Do no harm; Do good; Stay in love with God. The confirmation class created this covenant to help us live those rules.
Do No Harm:
1) Don't use drugs, tobacco, or alcohol
2) Don't fight with our siblings
3) Don't gossip or put people down
Do Good:
1) Help someone else each week
2) Visit the lonely once in each month
3) Stand up for someone else
Stay In Love With God:
1) Pray 3 times each week
2) Be in worship once each week
3) Read a chapter of the Bible once each week
Each member of the class has a Class Card to show they are a member of the class, and each card has the covenant written on it to help us remember.
As we go forward in this year, I would ask you to support and encourage the confirmation youth. Help them to know that just as they are gaining more freedom and responsibility in other areas of their lives, they are being prepared to take more responsibility for their own faith. Encourage them to ask questions about their faith and yours, and know that you don't always have answers and that you don't need to. The journey of faith involves shared exploration, shared questions, and shared discoveries. Please continue to pray for and with our youth, that they will find their lives transformed by God's love.
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