MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL MINISTRIES

This year, we kicked off our Youth Group fall schedule on August 21^st with a fun night of food and games.  What we have found interesting

this year is that while we started our first night with high attendance (23 middle and high school students), that attendance number hasn’t dropped since we started!  We have been continuing to average 22-23 students every week, with a majority of our students being middle school students.  We believe this is a sign that our work to restructure and rebuild our youth ministry programs over the past few years is starting to show signs of consistency, which only makes it easier for us to walk alongside students in their faith journey.

Another new addition to the youth ministry this year is the return of a new and restructured “Confirmation” program.  After much discernment by the leadership team, Pastor Kristin and I decided to give it a try this year and see if there was interest in a new “confirmation” program that was geared to be more of a “small group” style than a class.  Using the Covenant denominations “Journey” confirmation materials alongside a revised version of the student booklet that was put together by leaders at Hinsdale Covenant Church, we have begun meeting with 8 middle and high school students on a few Sunday mornings per month for an hour before the worship service.  The curriculum walks through the Old Testament in one year, and the New Testament in the second year.  While Pastor Kristin and I are the primary leaders and teachers of the small group, Bill Oakes and Victor Quesada have agreed to join the teaching team as well, and our other Pastors may be joining us in teaching at times.  All together, we look forward to having this opportunity to dive into scripture and help build that foundation of biblical knowledge that is powerful in faith formation and transformation for these students.

In terms of future activities with our Middle and High School ministries, we hope you will stay tuned to announcements and future communications. But to give you a quick sneak peek:  We are planning Youth Group Night plus events in October, November and December, with the December event being a Christmas party.  We are also finalizing plans and dates to attend winter retreats in January, as well as, a trip next summer for High School students.  This means we also have fundraisers being organized, like what’s become our annual Soup Luncheon and Dessert Auction fundraiser on Sunday, November 24^th after worship, so mark your calendar!  If you ever have questions about what’s going on with the youth group, we encourage you to go to ecclife.net/youth OR contact Pastor Kristin or me.

4^th AND 5^th GRADE SUNDAYS

We have had our first 4^th and 5^th Grade lunch gathering for the year and plan to continue on the second Sundays of every month (at least for the most part).  Katy and Phil Travis, and Victor Quesada are again leading these events this year and are excited to continue this great monthly gathering that serves as a sort of bridge between Kids Out Loud and our teen Youth Groups.  They will actually be meeting on the first Sunday in October (10/6) due to the congregational meeting being planned for October 13^th, but they will be back to the second Sunday in November.  If you are interested in your 4^th or 5^th grade students joining and have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out or come speak to the leaders at the next gathering in October!

1935 YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES

Our 1935 ministries, which is for those around the ages of 19 to 35, continues to discover the best way to walk alongside these young adults in their varying and busy lives.  We continue to emphasis the value of our young adults joining LifeGroups here at ECC because we believe that walking together in community is truly the best way to minister to and encourage faith and life transformation. Additionally, we continue to find value in the times we are able to get together to build community together, which is why we are deciding to plan 3 primary events this year; one in the fall, one around Christmas, and one in the spring.  While our spring event is still being planned, our other two are on the calendar:

First, on October 12^th, we are planning a “Mystery Night”.  All young adults are invited to sign-up to attend a night without knowing what we’re doing… because it’s a MYSTERY!   The idea is that you show up ready for anything, and let us take care of everything else.  There WILL be food and we encourage everyone to wear shoes with socks, just in case 😉.  There is no cost to attend the event BUT we do ask that you sign-up in advance.  To do so, go to ecclife.net/1935.

On December 8^th, all young adults are invited to a Christmas potluck dinner party.  We will provide the main dish and encourage everyone else to sign-up to bring a side or dessert.  We haven’t planned all the details, but everyone will likely be asked to bring some form of gift as well, but we will communicate that as we get closer.  For now, mark your calendars!