Update from the Director of Education Ministries -- Amy Grella - 412-801-3723
Upcoming Youth Group Meet-ups
The 3rd-8th grade group meet twice a month, typically on the first and third Sunday evenings. The senior high youth group meets after-church on the second Sunday of the month. Kids are welcome to bring friends or neighbors to join in the fun on any activity.
February 5 – 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 3rd-8th grade youth group
First Annual Pre-Superbowl Event (details forthcoming)!
February 12 – 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Senior high brunch out; bring
money to cover your meal at a local (TBD) eatery. Meet in Fellowship
Hall.
February 19 – 6:30-8:00 p.m. 3rd-8th grade youth group
March 5 – 6:30-8:00 p.m. 3rd-8th grade youth group
Youth Group Mission Updates
Hot Metal Bridge recap
The youth groups worked together to make homemade Texas sheet cake and beef stew. Eight individuals (3 youth, 5 adults) served close to 60 meals at Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community. Thank you to all who donated food, and especially your time to help the youth be safe and productive in the kitchen!
Philadelphia Hoops Fund
Through your generosity, in December the youth group raised and sent a check for $605 to Ruth Bennett Farms for the purchase of one portable basketball hoop. The farm contacted us to let us know that they secured funds for the additional hoop. Since both hoops have now been procured, the youth committee has decided to suspend future fundraising plans for this effort. Thanks to all who donated to make this improvement possible for the youth we connected with while serving last summer.
Spring Retreats for Youth
We are hard at work planning Spring retreat options for our youth groups. To help you decide if this opportunity is right for your child, please prayerfully consider why we retreat.
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. Kids 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. Kids are given opportunities to make choices independent of parents and teachers, thus instilling important leadership skills for the future. Kids are encouraged to try new things, even if they are a little nervous about them, and once they see their accomplishment, their self-esteem soars. Sharing new experiences together as a group allows us to get to know each other better and in new and different ways, which makes lasting group memories. Youth retreats are all about empowering young people to experience God together and helping them grow.
Registration will be opening very soon for the following retreat opportunities.
March 10-12 - Spring Retreat at Camp Ligonier
Don’t miss out this time… we will return to Camp Ligonier for a weekend retreat open to all middle school and high school students in grades 6-12. We will partner again with area youth from the six 319 / North Hills churches. We will help with an on-site work/service project on Saturday morning in exchange for (free) use of their adventure equipment in the afternoon.
March 25-26 - Tweener Retreat at Camp Crestfield
The Tweener retreat is a fun-filled overnight event, specifically designed for students in grades 3-6. The Next Generation Team of the Pittsburgh Presbytery is running this shortened retreat, with Crestfield hosting youth from churches across the region. We will leave early on Saturday morning and return by lunchtime on Sunday.
SAVE THE DATE for these Upcoming Awesome Summer Events!
Join us for VBS the week of July 31 – August 4 as we go To Mars and Beyond. VBS will run mornings 9:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. for kids in pre-school through 2nd grade. Kids 3rd grade and up are invited to help lead in the morning, and then stay through 3 p.m. for lunch, games and activities.
High School Puerto Rico Mission Trip July 1-7
A team of high school youth and adult leaders will be traveling to Puerto Rico for a mission trip leaving July 1, 2023. Right now, we have 5 people committed to travel, and we are actively recruiting additional youth to get our number closer to 10. Please reach out if you have Check your email for further details and information. The first deadline to register for this trip is Sunday, January 8.
3rd – 8th Grade Youth Camp at Crestfield July 9-14
Join the youth group as we spend a week away at Crestfield! During the day, we will adventure through challenge activities including ropes courses, canoeing, swamp ball and more. There will be a chaplain on site who will be leading the campers in discovering God’s Word and growing their spiritual life. Campers will enjoy evening activities such as Capture the Flag, Gold Rush (a Crestfield favorite similar to Capture the Flag), and Lip Sync Night. We will also enjoy some quiet moments of song and reflection in our beautiful outdoor chapel at the end of each day. Campers will be housed in the Cottages and Lodge, and weather permitting, will get to experience a camp out night under the stars. Check-in starts at 3 p.m. Sunday. Pick up is at 6 p.m. Friday.
Update from the Director of Education Ministries -- Amy Grella - 412-801-3723
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