The youth ministry team had its first meeting on Tuesday May 13, 2008. Although there have been some youth activities ongoing, it was decided to expand the program to include socialization activities, community service events as well as religious education and worship roles.
Because the children in the age group being served (11-16) do not have the opportunity to socialize outside of Sunday School classes, it was suggested that activities that would allow the children the chance to get to know each other would be a good addition to the program. Events like a day at the beach, a scavenger hunt, a movie night or game night, Bulls or Cubs game and youth led worship were suggested as ways for the children to spend some time getting to know each other better.
Some ideas for community involvement included, reading to younger children at the day care center, collecting food for the food pantry, visiting the homeless shelter and preparing care packages or perhaps preparing meals for the homeless and volunteering at an animal shelter. We have had a Haunted House at Halloween and participated in fundraising for Heifer International.
We discussed the retreats at L.O.M.C. and the lock-in events. In addition there are plans to provide a forum for post-confirmation youth to participate in worship and social activities.
The team plans to set a schedule of events and select a regular meeting day so that participants and their families would have an awareness of when events are planned well in advance to increase participation. It was suggested that non-member children, friends, classmates and relatives of member children would be invited to attend the events in an attempt to broaden the ministry and create an atmosphere of community.
The first event is already scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, 2008. The youth group will be spending a day at Great America.
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