Upcoming Events & Announcements
Mar 31-Apr 1 “Camp In” Retreat at Church Bldg 5pm Fri- 3p Sat
Apr 2 Community Worship & Regular Meeting time - LAST YOUTH SUN - please arrive by 10am!
Apr 9 Community Worship & Regular Meeting time
Apr 16 Easter – No YG/Confirmation meeting
Apr 23 Community Worship & Regular Meeting time – Closing session - Testimony drafts due!
Apr 30 Confirmation Sunday! Ceremony in Worship & Fellowship reception after
Parent Letters
Parents, please write a letter to your confirmands! (We have one already, thank you!) We will use your letters at the retreat this weekend!
Letters don’t have to be long: a page is fine, though longer is fine too. Please answer the following question: “Why do you believe in God, and why are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?” (We’ve been exploring this already with the youth). You may also wish to include words of encouragement for their confirmation journey, a special memory from your own confirmation or faith journey as a youth, and/or unique qualities and strengths you see in your son or daughter. They can be handwritten, typed, or emailed to Molly ([email protected]) and we will print them off for the youth. One or both parents may write letters.
Testimony “final project”
The “final project” for confirmation is to prepare and share testimony on “How I have experienced Divine Love at work in my life.” Please email a draft to Molly by Wed April 19 (she may suggest minor edits for clarity and brevity). Bring your edited draft to our closing meeting on Sunday April 23. Confirmands will share with the congregation as part of the Confirmation Ceremony on April 30 at 10:30am community worship. Read the whole assignment sheet (here).
Community Worship participation
Youth will be asked to take notes in worship to be handed in at the beginning of each confirmation session. This is mandatory in order to complete the confirmation class for each of the remaining Sundays they're present. This shall be completed each week, or another assignment will be required. This is a new policy that began in February. (Failure to turn in 2 of these may also result in an additional written assignment). The youth leadership regrets to have to initiate & enforce stricter participation expectations, but it's necessary to combat some of the less than respectful behavior we've been witnessing in worship & our meetings.
Requirements to be Confirmed
Confirmation will be offered to those who complete the course (fulfill the attendance and participation requirements). As a reminder, confirmands are accountable to attend 80% of scheduled meetings, including service projects, field trips, and retreats. Anyone who completes the course, but doesn't feel ready to be confirmed may defer, with the option to take confirmation vows at a later date. However, if the course is not completed satisfactorily, youth must re-take the course, or it's equivalent, before s/he may be confirmed. Check out the Membership Promises at http://uccyouthgroup.weebly.com/membership-promises.html
Service Projects
The visit and service day at the Warming Shelter went well last week! Thanks to everyone who was there!
We'll be helping to strike and clean up the Children's Closet as part of our retreat Saturday afternoon Apr 1st from noon to 3pm.
The Youth Directed Service Project (Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser) was canceled due to scheduling conflicts. This may be rescheduled for later in the Spring or Summer.
Stay tuned for the Interfaith Service Project learning about each other’s Faith through Food, preparing and sharing a meal, and packing up freezer meals for Ronald McDonald House. This may be postponed till the fall.
Summer Camp Out
Rather than attend Synod this summer, we hope to do an overnight camping trip this summer. We will be soliciting available dates for that soon.
Mentors
Confirmands & their mentors should be at least once a month. The conversation starters are posted on the website on the mentor tab (here).
Confirmands need to have their Mentors review, sign, and return the Confirmation Overview (here) to the church office or youth group.
Sunday Lunches
Thank you everyone for continuing to feed us well! The Lunch Calendar is here.
YOUTH-Please check in with Laura by 5pm Friday if you will miss a Sunday. ([email protected] or 712-253-3731).
Questions or concerns?
Contact Molly (712-577-8774 or [email protected])
or the church office (712-239-3385 or [email protected])
Apr 2 Community Worship & Regular Meeting time - LAST YOUTH SUN - please arrive by 10am!
Apr 9 Community Worship & Regular Meeting time
Apr 16 Easter – No YG/Confirmation meeting
Apr 23 Community Worship & Regular Meeting time – Closing session - Testimony drafts due!
Apr 30 Confirmation Sunday! Ceremony in Worship & Fellowship reception after
Parent Letters
Parents, please write a letter to your confirmands! (We have one already, thank you!) We will use your letters at the retreat this weekend!
Letters don’t have to be long: a page is fine, though longer is fine too. Please answer the following question: “Why do you believe in God, and why are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?” (We’ve been exploring this already with the youth). You may also wish to include words of encouragement for their confirmation journey, a special memory from your own confirmation or faith journey as a youth, and/or unique qualities and strengths you see in your son or daughter. They can be handwritten, typed, or emailed to Molly ([email protected]) and we will print them off for the youth. One or both parents may write letters.
Testimony “final project”
The “final project” for confirmation is to prepare and share testimony on “How I have experienced Divine Love at work in my life.” Please email a draft to Molly by Wed April 19 (she may suggest minor edits for clarity and brevity). Bring your edited draft to our closing meeting on Sunday April 23. Confirmands will share with the congregation as part of the Confirmation Ceremony on April 30 at 10:30am community worship. Read the whole assignment sheet (here).
Community Worship participation
Youth will be asked to take notes in worship to be handed in at the beginning of each confirmation session. This is mandatory in order to complete the confirmation class for each of the remaining Sundays they're present. This shall be completed each week, or another assignment will be required. This is a new policy that began in February. (Failure to turn in 2 of these may also result in an additional written assignment). The youth leadership regrets to have to initiate & enforce stricter participation expectations, but it's necessary to combat some of the less than respectful behavior we've been witnessing in worship & our meetings.
Requirements to be Confirmed
Confirmation will be offered to those who complete the course (fulfill the attendance and participation requirements). As a reminder, confirmands are accountable to attend 80% of scheduled meetings, including service projects, field trips, and retreats. Anyone who completes the course, but doesn't feel ready to be confirmed may defer, with the option to take confirmation vows at a later date. However, if the course is not completed satisfactorily, youth must re-take the course, or it's equivalent, before s/he may be confirmed. Check out the Membership Promises at http://uccyouthgroup.weebly.com/membership-promises.html
Service Projects
The visit and service day at the Warming Shelter went well last week! Thanks to everyone who was there!
We'll be helping to strike and clean up the Children's Closet as part of our retreat Saturday afternoon Apr 1st from noon to 3pm.
The Youth Directed Service Project (Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser) was canceled due to scheduling conflicts. This may be rescheduled for later in the Spring or Summer.
Stay tuned for the Interfaith Service Project learning about each other’s Faith through Food, preparing and sharing a meal, and packing up freezer meals for Ronald McDonald House. This may be postponed till the fall.
Summer Camp Out
Rather than attend Synod this summer, we hope to do an overnight camping trip this summer. We will be soliciting available dates for that soon.
Mentors
Confirmands & their mentors should be at least once a month. The conversation starters are posted on the website on the mentor tab (here).
Confirmands need to have their Mentors review, sign, and return the Confirmation Overview (here) to the church office or youth group.
Sunday Lunches
Thank you everyone for continuing to feed us well! The Lunch Calendar is here.
YOUTH-Please check in with Laura by 5pm Friday if you will miss a Sunday. ([email protected] or 712-253-3731).
Questions or concerns?
Contact Molly (712-577-8774 or [email protected])
or the church office (712-239-3385 or [email protected])