Category: Youth

2023 Advent Workshop

Cheri Simonet
Advent Workshop

Sunday, December 3rd

“Advent” means coming or arrival. Rather than just waiting for Christmas to get here, we use the season of Advent to prepare for Christ’s coming. Advent begins this year on Sunday, December 3rd and we will kick off the season with our annual Advent workshop following worship.

Open to all ages, this event will feature crafts, activities, and Kevin’s famous chili lunch. Brenda has designed some great crafts once again, including a beautiful coaster suitable for gift-giving and an Ugly Christmas Sweater ornament. New this year is the option to decorate an Advent Yule Log for your home. And of course, as always, we’ll have Loni’s cut-out cookies to decorate (and eat!).

Returning this year is our Socks of Love project that was initiated last year. Filling a sock for persons in our community who are experiencing homelessness is one way to show our love and share our bounty with neighbors in need. Each pair of warm wool socks is filled with travel-size toiletries and other necessities for those who struggle with basic needs. Last year we filled 48 socks—this year can we do more? Our socks will go to St John’s shelter.

Please join us for this all-church celebration.

Youth Group 2023 Lock-in

Cheri Simonet
Youth Group

It’s time once again for our Annual Youth Group Lock-in! This annual tradition started many, many years ago with the task of wrapping Christmas gifts for Tank Elementary School families that our church adopts for Christmas each year.

Christmas Baskets

The Christmas Prayer Basket campaign, supported by the Outreach Committee, selects three families to adopt each year from nearby Tank Elementary School. We obtain wish lists for the children and adults in each family and those wishes are placed in three separate baskets on the table in the back of the Narthex. Congregation members select from the tags and return gifts unwrapped to the church by Thursday, December 14th. And the following night of the 15th is when our Youth Group gathers in the Memorial Room to wrap the dozens on dozens of presents generously donated by our members.

Although the primary purpose for the youth getting together is to wrap all those presents, the larger picture is having our youth connect with the local community and with those who’re less fortunate than us. Our youth focus on seeing those who are sometimes forgotten and unseen during the busy hustle and bustle of the Holiday season. The lock-in is the fun part of it but moreover youth draw a connection to how fortunate we are to be blessed in so many ways. It’s easy to take for granted our blessings and there’s no better time of year than Christmas to reflect, remember and give thanks for all those blessings.

We gather at 6:30 on Friday, December 15th to wrap, retire to the youth group room for our sleepover and return home the following morning after breakfast. It’s a memorable and rewarding experience for all who participate. If you’d like to know more or get involved in this year’s lock-in, please contact Joel Morien at ce@firstpresgreenbay.org. And thank you to all our members who will generously donate those gifts for the youth to wrap!

Annual 2024 Ski Trip

Cheri Simonet
Annual Ski Trip

The calendar just turned to December, the cold air has sunk in and snow’s even flurrying which means our Christian Education Committee has plans well underway for our annual Ski Trip!

Although the event is primarily coordinated with Youth Group, the ski trip is considered a family event so all are welcome to join!

Mark your calendars for fun on the slopes January 26th. Our ski destination is Ski Brule and we’ll be checking in on Friday the 26th, checking out Saturday the 27th at the Chicaugon Lake Inn. 

Registration forms with more details will be coming in our January Newsletter. We will need a minimum of 20 skiers to take advantage of the Ski Brule group discount so spread the word to family, friends and neighbors. The more the merrier!

We hope to see you on the slopes!

Outdoor Worship and Ice Cream Social

Cheri Simonet
Outdoor Worship

September 10, 2023

“Back to school” sales are in full force and that means it is time for us all to come back to church after summer vacations and breaks! We celebrate the beginning of this new program year with a fun and casual outdoor worship on Sunday, September 10th at 10:00 am (weather permitting) on the front lawn. Bring your own chair or sit in one we’ve set up on the sidewalk—please don’t let navigating the grass keep you away.

Our worship service will feature a playful re-telling of the creation story and a special blessing of backpacks for all those headed back to school. If you are a student of any age, a teacher or administrator or helper in a school setting of any kind, please bring your backpack or other school bag on this day to receive a blessing including a special keychain to add to your bag. Let’s see how many backpacks and bags we can bless this year!

Following worship, we welcome everyone into the Fellowship Room for an ice cream social featuring dipped ice cream with all the toppings—plan to build your own sundae. This is a perfect day to bring a friend or neighbor or grandchild to worship, so please join us!

Confirmation Class and Youth Group are Back

Cheri Simonet
Youth Group
Confirmation

Welcome back to our middle school and high school youth after a long hot summer!

In Confirmation Class, intended for students in 8th grade or higher, Pastor Katie and CE Director Joel review Bible basics, Presbyterian traditions, and lead in discussion about where and how we experience God and Christ and faith in life today. We will meet on Sundays following worship beginning September 17th.

Please contact Pastor Katie if your youth is ready to participate in Confirmation this fall.

Youth group meets each Wednesday night beginning September 13 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. and is led by Loni McCormick, Bobbi Holl, and CE Director Joel Morien. These informal gatherings are a chance to connect with others and discuss a wide range of topics relating to our daily lives and our faith. We also have a number of service and fellowship events planned:

Packing meals for Feed My Starving Children in early October

A possible weekend retreat at Daycholah camp in November

An overnight at church in December to wrap gifts for our Prayer Basket families

Ski trip in January

and more!

United Church Camps Outdoor Ministry—2023 Summer Youth Camps

Cheri Simonet
United Church Camps logo

July 2nd thru August 16th

UCCI youth camps take place at Daycholah Center on Green Lake. Week-long youth camps for those in Pre-K through 12th grade run from Sunday through Friday. Activities and adventures include traditional camp activities like campfires, time in/on the water, arts and crafts, games, and delicious meals. Each week of programming also sets aside some time to explore the unique and special interests of the individual. Our team is ready to answer your questions and help you with registration. Email us at daycholahcenter@ucci.org.

Program Descriptions and Ages:

& Me is a shorter camp experience for young campers along with an adult they love. K-2nd graders are welcome to bring their special adult and spend time doing their favorite camp activities. There will be swimming, kayaking, arts & crafts, archery and more! Recognizing that all children develop at their own pace, there is a session for preschoolers (ages 4-6) and a “One More Time” session for 3rd-4th graders. Programming is planned by age and allows for plenty of one-on-one and exploration time.

Tenderfoot is for young, overnight campers. This 4-day, 3-night camp introduces campers to all thefun activities at camp: swimming, boating, archery, crawfishing, arts & crafts, and an early morning favorite–the polar bear swim. This is a great experience for campers who are not ready to take on a full week but want to experience cabin life for the first time! Grades 2-3

NEW! DC Elements Summer Camp
Join us for the timeless, all-around adventure of summer camp! Enjoy a week of swimming, boating, target sports, campfires, singing camp songs, all-camp evening programs, arts & crafts, sleeping in cabins, games, and cooking over the fire. Campers will be grouped by age. Young campers will focus on building friendships, connecting with nature, and having fun! Older campers will do the same while working together to plan their daily activities. The theme for DC Elements will be based on “The Fruits of the Spirit” curriculum. Grades 3-12

Enthusiasts can go deep into a special interest and activity. Con, Night Owl, and Sailing, each offer an immersive experience along with traditional camp activities. Detailed descriptions can be found on our website. Grades 7-12

Juniors in Leadership develop group dynamics as well as problem-solving and camping skills found in future staff. Campers spend one week learning and another week volunteering. Ages 17-18

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE!

For more information, contact our Director of Children, Youth, and Families, Joel Morien, by calling (920) 437-8121 or email ce@firstpresgreenbay.org.

Check out the camp schedule dates below!

United Church 2023 Summer Camps

2023 Youth Pool Party

Cheri Simonet
Pool Party July 20, 2023

Calling all #FirstPresGB Youth!

Youth Group may have started their summer hiatus but why go the whole summer without seeing each other? Join us for our annual Youth Pool Party!

Bring your friends – the more the merrier!

Our hostess, Loni McCormick, invites all youth to her home on Thursday, July 20th from 1p till 4, 4:30p. Loni will provide the beverages, but youth are asked to bring a snack to share.

We’re hoping for a warm summer day to relax in or by the pool to have some fun, play some games, splash around and take time to reconnect over the summer. So, grab your sunglasses, swimsuit, pool toys and a snack to share and join the fun at Loni’s pool!

For questions please contact Loni at (920) 655-8258 or pmccormick1@new.rr.com or contact Joel Morien at (920) 437-8121 or email ce@firstpresgreenbay.org.

We hope to see you poolside!

2023 Vacation Bible School

Cheri Simonet
VBS Ready-Set-Move

August 7 – 10, 2023

The Christian Education Committee is excited to begin preparations for our 2023 Vacation Bible School! Our theme this year is Ready, Set, Move! Follow Jesus Here, There and Everywhere!

Ready, Set, Move Vacation Bible School will inspire kids to: DO What He Says, BELIEVE Who He is, LOVE Who He loves, SHARE What he did, and GO where He leads.

Bible School is led by members of our CE Committee and is open to children aged 4 through those who have completed fifth grade. Older children and youth are welcome to participate as volunteers.

This year we have four fun-filled evenings planned from August 7 through 10. We ask that children are dropped off shortly before 5:30 so our light meal can begin at 5:30, and our evening ends with class concluding at 7:30.

This is an excellent opportunity for friends, neighbors, cousins, and grandchildren. Please spread the word to members and non-members alike, the more the merrier!

Registration is online only.

REGISTER NOW!

To volunteer or for questions please contact our Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, Joel Morien, at (920) 437-8121 or ce@firstpresgreenbay.org.

We look forward to seeing the children at VBS in August!

Pentecost Party: Happy Birthday to the Church!

Cheri Simonet
Pentecost Sunday

Sunday – May 28, 2023

The Festival of Pentecost is probably the least-known of all the church holy days. It occurs 50 days after Easter, marking the arrival of the promised Holy Spirit.

Will there be gusts of wind, flames dancing over our heads, doves descending from on high, unknown languages emanating from our mouths? Who knows?! What we do know for sure is that Pentecost has become known as the official birthday of the Church, the time when the disciples and others understood their charge to go out and preach, teach, heal and make disciples of all nations.

So we’re going to have a birthday party! Join us on Sunday, May 28th in worship at 10 a.m. and following worship during the fellowship hour for a grand birthday party.

All are welcome—no presents, just your presence!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Cheri Simonet
Mental Health Awareness Month

The PC(USA) Store has resources for children and adults.

For information on mental illness contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

The NAMI HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET.

Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text “HelpLine” to 62640 or email at helpline@nami.org.

In an emergency dial 911. Ask the operator for police officers trained in crisis intervention or trained to assist people experiencing a psychiatric emergency.

988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline – 24/7 free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Dial or text 988.

Crisis Text Line  – Text HOME to 741-741
Connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.