9th - 12th Grade Program | Bower Hill Community Church

Children & Youth - 9th to 12th Grade

What to expect on Sundays?

Students in grades eight and up remain in worship. Those youth who wish to help are encouraged to volunteer to help with the Sunday morning children’s programming. Click here to volunteer. This gift of time benefits not only the younger kids (who look up to the big kids) but the older youth, who have a chance to lead, developing their gifts and modeling their faith.

The congregation gathers in Fellowship Hall for coffee, snacks, and fellowship each Sunday after worship from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Confirmation is offered for youth, typically in grades 8 -10. It is not being offered in 2024-25. But Click here to learn more about our confirmation.

Click here to view a list of upcoming activities for our children & youth.

ToGather

Sunday night events 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Twice monthly, families are invited to join us for an intergenerational evening. It begins with a 30-minute Taize-style worship designed for older elementary youth and up, giving families the opportunity to worship together if they choose. Alternatively, families may choose to place younger children in

on-site childcare during worship, where children will have space and time to socialize and play to build connections and community with other kids.

After worship, childcare will continue while adults and older youth (grades 5 and up) join their own groups for another half hour or so. Elder Colleen Marsteller will lead a Bible study for the adults, and youth groups for kids in grades 5 and up will meet.

The evening concludes with an optional dinner – we provide the main course, and families can bring a side or dessert to share. Stay for as little or as much as you’d like; the evening will wrap up by 6:30 p.m. The upcoming ToGather dates are 10/20, 11/3 and 11/17.

Other Activities for Senior High

We are pleased to offer opportunities for musicians of all ages to share and practice their gifts of music. Separate ensembles for woodwind and strings rehearse and perform during the worship service periodically throughout the year. Click here for current schedule

WHY is it vitally important for youth to retreat? Retreats allow youth to grow by taking them out of their norm and giving them a break from their day-to-day. Youth unplug, breaking their dependence on technology. They get to play outside and tune in with the natural world, instilling a deeper appreciation for the beauty of God’s creation. Sharing new experiences together as a group allows us to get to know each other better and in new and different ways, which make lasting group memories. Youth retreats are all about empowering young people to experience God together and helping them grow in faith. Bower Hill partners with other churches to host two retreats each year, typically in the spring and fall.

2024 Summer Mission Trip

Building off our desire to offer more intentionally intergenerational opportunities, Bower Hill plans to offer a 2024 summer mission trip for older youth AND adults. This trip is for current middle and high school-aged youth plus anyone over 18 years old. This year we will choose a DRIVABLE location, so no airfare cost will be incurred. The trip will be scheduled based on the best date for the majority interested. A secondary consideration will be given to the type of location (intercity/urban or rural) preferred. Our working timeline is as follows:

By Dec. 27: Collect input on dates and locations.
By Dec. 31: Communicate date, location & participant cost. Registration opens.
By January 15 - Reserve your spot / first round of registration closes.
Late January/ Early Feb. – Mission trip team meeting to provide details and Q&A.

If you or your youth are considering participating in this trip, please complete this survey as soon as possible, and no later than 12/27. If you have any questions about the trip, please contact Amy Grella.