There will be a kick off for the Jr. High program on Sunday night, September 12th from 5 to 6:30 in Room 5/6. This is for youth and their parents. 

 

Our objectives are: 1. to begin to get to know one another; 2. to eat food (it will be a potluck with hamburgers and hotdogs provided and each family bringing a dish to pass); 3. to make plans for the year; 4.to select people to serve on the Youth Team as Jr. High representatives (parents and youth) and 5. to hear from me what my goals are for the programs.

 

The Jr. High youth have three separate times that they meet: Sunday School,  from 9:15 until 10:30 on Sunday mornings; Jr. High Youth Group, on Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 and Wednesdays as a part of the AWANA program following the Family Super at 6:15 until 8. Each different event can be the only thing that you participate in, or you may participate in two or all three events. You can participate in our “big events”, (i.e., concerts, camps, mission trips, retreats) no matter which one of the three activities you participate in regularly. The Jr. High program reflects much of the same goals as the sr. high program, but with more parent involvement, and with our trips being closer to home.  We will schedule large events a minimum of 4 times per year (once a quarter) in the Jr. High program.

 

The following goals are reflective of both youth programs at Wesley:

1.     To gain visibility in the church

2.    To build a sense of community through shared experiences

3.    To become involved in district events: (camp, concerts, mission work)

4.    To participate in fund-raising and earn credit to participate in “fun” activities through their involvement in the life of the Jr. high programs at Wesley.

 

We invite you to get involved and bring a friend, from this church, another church, or someone who doesn’t even presently attend church!

 

The scheduled events of the end of the summer were a success. We had three youth participate in a one day youth leadership training that was sponsored by a grant through Sarah’s House (no cost to the kids or the church!) Our own Bob and Marilyn Sachs lead an energetic and challenging day of activities that gave the youth a “bag of tricks” that taught them to communicate, to think on their feet to interact with others, accepting new ideas and compromising to come up with a group decision (lessons many adults would benefit from learning!) Thank you to Tom Schweitzer and the Sach’s for a day well spent at the Yokefellow House!

 

We have had two fund-raisers, a car wash at AutoZone and one in the Wesley parking lot. A combination of the two days produced $714, work for 13 youth and 7 adults, a lot of clean cars, some sun burns, and the beginning of a team spirit among the youth! A special thanks to all who helped, but especially to Chip Wood for providing the supplies and equipment for the car washes.

 

The 28^th and 29^th of August was a time when youth could just be youth. The Kick Off the school year was a pool party at Lesley Harsila’s house on Sunday, August 29^th and a canoeing trip on the 28^th .

 

In September we will be attending IcHthus – Ft. Wayne at Auburn, enjoying a venue of 3 stages, performing from noon until midnight on the 29^th. We can get group prices for tickets ordered before 9/10, so if you would like to go and help chaperone or drive youth please contact the church office so that we can order tickets as a group.

 

As a reminder:  Youth Group is on Sunday evenings (Sr. High from 7-8:30), Cell Groups for Sr. Highs on Wednesday nights from 7 until 9:00 (now at Lisa and Mike Tippin’s house at 1110 Crestview Avenue).

 

The Wesley Board has decided to support our youth by inviting youth to participate in the administration of the church by unanimously approving two youth positions on the board beginning by filling a currently vacant position, and then beginning the new positions in January of 2011.

 

There are medical release/permission slips available at the church office so that youth can safely participate in “all the scheduled activities for the year.” They may be filled out, signed and individualized for single events at the parent’s preference. Completed forms should be turned back in to the church office, or to Pastor Ruth prior to the youth participating at any off site activities.

 

The Youth Team met once and will meet monthly on the third Sunday of each month at noon, to help identify the needs of upcoming events (for food, chaperones and transportation ~ so be ready to say “yes” when you get a phone call!). There are conversations starting about senior high institute at Lakeside next summer, one or two major mission trips (looking at New York City over spring break and possibly helping with a district-wide mission trip to Mexico to work with a Vacation Bible School next summer), and identifying ways that the youth can be involved with local missions. Stay tuned as these opportunities are “fleshed out” and become a reality for our youth, helping them grow in their spiritual walks, expanding their experiences, and cementing friendships that will last a lifetime as they grow with their church.  

 

Much of the communication for the events for youth is occurring under the grouping “Wesley Youth” on Facebook and through updates and links on the Wesley web page (www.bryanwesleyumc.org). If you have a Facebook page or an email address please provide them to the church office or Pastor Ruth so that you can be contacted and kept informed as to the events as they happen. Also keep your eyes on the screens and TV monitors at church for weekly updates as to the latest for our activities. Please do not hesitate to call Pastor Ruth at either the church (636-6721) or her cell (567-239-6925) if you have any questions.