Union Congregational Church

"Do not say that I am only a youth... for I am with you."

You Belong!

The Union community is committed to developing the talents and gifts of our youth. We tell them, "YOU BELONG!" and mean it! Dedicated adults along with our minister lead our youth.

Where Do All the Youth Go on Sunday Mornings at Union?
Check out the Youth Room! Welcome to Youth Forum! We will take a little different look this year. We will have guest speakers some weeks and then have open forum “chat” time on other weeks. See the schedule below. If you have a topic or a speaker suggestion please let Kristin Krueger know. As always we will have coffee and other beverages and some yummy treats. On September 26th, we will work together on a collage; working towards the Martin Luther King service in January. Come join in the fun.

September 12- open forum and catch up- reconnect ...White Board Sunday
September 19- Guest speaker
September 26-Collage project- What is fair and just? What does a bully look
like? What does it look like to be your neighbor?
October 3- open forum
October 10- Guest speaker
October 17- open forum
October 24- Guest speaker
October 31- Pancake Breakfast

CURRENT EVENTS:

Youth Chili Kick-off & Barbie Baseball Game September 19th
Youth Chili Kickoff Get together /Come Join the Barbie Baseball Game!!!! September 19th at the Krueger House (17921 233rd Ave. NW Big Lake) Directions- call or see Kristin's desk at
church. Bring any games you would like to, your swim suit and towel, your appetite, and a lawn chair you don't really care about. Bring a guest if you want... No cost for this event!!

Conference Youth Event (CYE)
Mark your calendar! The CYE event will be at Pilgrim Point Camp in Alexandria
October 22-24th. Grades 9-12 are invited. The Cost is $37.50 Please let Kristin know if
you are interested in attending. As always, if finances keep you from participating,
please speak with Pastor Dana.

Halloween Event for Youth!
Mark your calendar! On October 30th from 2-4pm, we'll have a spooky house at church! Bring your ideas to Marthe or Kristin, and bring a guest if you want!!!

Urban Immersion Retreat
Join us November 5th-7th for an Urban Immersion Service Retreat! The retreat will
combine an overview of poverty and its causes with hands-on help for those in need.
We'll leave Union at 5pm, and return on Sunday at 11pm. Open to grades 7-12. Join
us for a rewarding weekend. RSVP for this event to Kristin, email, text, or call! I will
need a few adults to help with this weekend, if you are interested please let me know!
There is no cost for this event.

Feed My Starving Children Event is Open to EVERYONE
As you package meals for the world's hungriest children, you will discover a deep sense of service and community. Feed My Starving Children relies on donations to purchase the ingredients for their scientifically formulated food. As more volunteers pack meals, we need more dollars to purchase the necessary ingredients. Please consider making a monetary donation in addition to your donation of time and energy. For additional information regarding Feed My Starving Children, visit their website! Join us on Friday, November 12th when we head to Feed My Starving Children to package meals from 6-7:30pm. Everyone at Union is welcome, please join us!!! Sign up in the narthex! There are 50 spaces available; bring a guest if you'd like! Carpooling will be available; we will leave Union at 5:15pm and return at 8pm or a little later.

Confirmation Note
To all returning Confirmation students, parents and friends in faith: We are set for
another great year leaning more about our faith, ourselves and each other. All parents
and friends in faith will receive a biweekly email to keep you informed on what’s being
covered in class. It will include the main topic discussed and specific bible verses
used for that particular week. A schedule for the entire year was emailed. We also will
visit the Global Market in Minneapolis (Date TBD). Please note April 6th on your
calendar for our annual visit to Simpson House. If you have any questions or concerns
please contact Kirk (441-1825) or Kris (441-1203). Again on behalf of Dana, Kris, and
Kirk – welcome back! Kirk Atkinson & Kris Krueger, Confirmation Co-facilitators

Youth Ministries consists of three interrelated programs:

Confirmation
Over the course of two years, 8th and 9th grade youth meet on Wednesdays from 7-8:30 to explore who they are as Christians and as members of the United Church of Christ. Though scripture and traditions serve as a basis, youth are encouraged to questions and put into their own words what matters to them as they grow spiritually and as human beings. Friends-in-Faith, adult mentors, serve as companions on the journey in addition to the Wednesday meetings. This is a test free class! Come and seek!

Youth Forum
On Sunday mornings, 8th to 12th grade youth gather between worship services to explore topics of special interest. Where Confirmation tends toward a particular curriculum, Youth Forum is an active engagement about matters of faith in the experience of youth. Each Sunday stands alone so there’s nothing to prepare. All youth are welcome to participate, both members and visitors. Come and wake up with others!

The Youth Ministry Board
Following Jesus Christ’s Great Commandment, “to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind and our neighbor as our self” the Board’s mission is to offer opportunity for service and absolute fun! We act locally, even as we think globally. Come and join the movement!

Our youth are actively involved in many activities in the life of the church including worship participation, teaching church school, and local service projects. Some of the recent activities for the Youth Group include:

Feed My Starving Children

Simpson House

Night on the Streets

Registration and Permission Form

Please check back periodically for changes and/or additions. Also check the Current Events section of this web site as it will give more detailed information about each event.

Back to Top

O.W.L. stands for Our Whole Lives. OWL is a sexuality class for youth. The curriculum focuses on helping kids AND their families comfortably talk about human sexuality in age-appropriate ways. Our youth learn about self esteem, what is safe and unsafe touch, how to tell their parents about difficulties with sexuality, and all those topics on sexuality which will help them appropriately develop their own Whole and Holy lives. If you've always felt that talking about sexuality with your adolescent was important, yet find it difficult, Our Whole Lives will be a true gift to you and your family!

Senior High Camp at Pilgrim Point
Click here to jump to Pilgrim Point Camp's Web site

Back to Top

"Do not say that I am only a youth... for I am with you." You Belong! The Union community is committed to developing the talents and gifts of our youth. We tell them, "YOU BELONG!" and mean it! Dedicated adults along with our minister lead our youth. Where Do All the Youth Go on Sunday Mornings at Union? Check out the Youth Room! Welcome to Youth Forum! We will take a little different look this year. We will have guest speakers some weeks and then have open forum “chat” time on other weeks. See the schedule below. If you have a topic or a speaker suggestion please let Kristin Krueger know. As always we will have coffee and other beverages and some yummy treats. On September 26th, we will work together on a collage; working towards the Martin Luther King service in January. Come join in the fun. September 12- open forum and catch up- reconnect ...White Board Sunday September 19- Guest speaker September 26-Collage project- What is fair and just? What does a bully look like? What does it look like to be your neighbor? October 3- open forum October 10- Guest speaker October 17- open forum October 24- Guest speaker October 31- Pancake Breakfast CURRENT EVENTS: Youth Chili Kick-off & Barbie Baseball Game September 19th Youth Chili Kickoff Get together /Come Join the Barbie Baseball Game!!!! September 19th at the Krueger House (17921 233rd Ave. NW Big Lake) Directions- call or see Kristin's desk at church. Bring any games you would like to, your swim suit and towel, your appetite, and a lawn chair you don't really care about. Bring a guest if you want... No cost for this event!! Conference Youth Event (CYE) Mark your calendar! The CYE event will be at Pilgrim Point Camp in Alexandria October 22-24th. Grades 9-12 are invited. The Cost is $37.50 Please let Kristin know if you are interested in attending. As always, if finances keep you from participating, please speak with Pastor Dana. Halloween Event for Youth! Mark your calendar! On October 30th from 2-4pm, we'll have a spooky house at church! Bring your ideas to Marthe or Kristin, and bring a guest if you want!!! Urban Immersion Retreat Join us November 5th-7th for an Urban Immersion Service Retreat! The retreat will combine an overview of poverty and its causes with hands-on help for those in need. We'll leave Union at 5pm, and return on Sunday at 11pm. Open to grades 7-12. Join us for a rewarding weekend. RSVP for this event to Kristin, email, text, or call! I will need a few adults to help with this weekend, if you are interested please let me know! There is no cost for this event. Feed My Starving Children Event is Open to EVERYONE As you package meals for the world's hungriest children, you will discover a deep sense of service and community. Feed My Starving Children relies on donations to purchase the ingredients for their scientifically formulated food. As more volunteers pack meals, we need more dollars to purchase the necessary ingredients. Please consider making a monetary donation in addition to your donation of time and energy. For additional information regarding Feed My Starving Children, visit their website! Join us on Friday, November 12th when we head to Feed My Starving Children to package meals from 6-7:30pm. Everyone at Union is welcome, please join us!!! Sign up in the narthex! There are 50 spaces available; bring a guest if you'd like! Carpooling will be available; we will leave Union at 5:15pm and return at 8pm or a little later. Confirmation Note To all returning Confirmation students, parents and friends in faith: We are set for another great year leaning more about our faith, ourselves and each other. All parents and friends in faith will receive a biweekly email to keep you informed on what’s being covered in class. It will include the main topic discussed and specific bible verses used for that particular week. A schedule for the entire year was emailed. We also will visit the Global Market in Minneapolis (Date TBD). Please note April 6th on your calendar for our annual visit to Simpson House. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Kirk (441-1825) or Kris (441-1203). Again on behalf of Dana, Kris, and Kirk – welcome back! Kirk Atkinson & Kris Krueger, Confirmation Co-facilitators Youth Ministries consists of three interrelated programs: Confirmation Over the course of two years, 8th and 9th grade youth meet on Wednesdays from 7-8:30 to explore who they are as Christians and as members of the United Church of Christ. Though scripture and traditions serve as a basis, youth are encouraged to questions and put into their own words what matters to them as they grow spiritually and as human beings. Friends-in-Faith, adult mentors, serve as companions on the journey in addition to the Wednesday meetings. *This is a test free class! Come and seek!* Youth Forum On Sunday mornings, 8th to 12th grade youth gather between worship services to explore topics of special interest. Where Confirmation tends toward a particular curriculum, Youth Forum is an active engagement about matters of faith in the experience of youth. Each Sunday stands alone so there’s nothing to prepare. All youth are welcome to participate, both members and visitors. *Come and wake up with others!* The Youth Ministry Board Following Jesus Christ’s Great Commandment, “to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind and our neighbor as our self” the Board’s mission is to offer opportunity for service and absolute fun! We act locally, even as we think globally. *Come and join the movement!* Our youth are actively involved in many activities in the life of the church including worship participation, teaching church school, and local service projects. Some of the recent activities for the Youth Group include: Feed My Starving Children Simpson House Night on the Streets Registration and Permission Form Please check back periodically for changes and/or additions. Also check the Current Events section of this web site as it will give more detailed information about each event. Back to Top O.W.L. stands for Our Whole Lives. OWL is a sexuality class for youth. The curriculum focuses on helping kids AND their families comfortably talk about human sexuality in age-appropriate ways. Our youth learn about self esteem, what is safe and unsafe touch, how to tell their parents about difficulties with sexuality, and all those topics on sexuality which will help them appropriately develop their own Whole and Holy lives. If you've always felt that talking about sexuality with your adolescent was important, yet find it difficult, Our Whole Lives will be a true gift to you and your family! Senior High Camp at Pilgrim Point Click here to jump to Pilgrim Point Camp's Web site Back to Top

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