Rooted - Youth Update January 13, 2021

Rooted Families

We have been meeting in person for a while now, Sunday evenings 5-6pm at Generations Park. Things have been going really great as we gather around the campfire and share. We have also been going on monthly hikes - getting outdoors and spending time together. For now, these are the precautions we are taking to make sure you and your family are safe:

1. Youth are only meeting outdoors.

2. Masks are required whenever we are gathered (i.e. around the campfire or circled up for discussion time, not while spread out hiking, though you may choose to keep your mask on during the hikes).

3. Youth are asked to maintain 6-feet between each other unless they are part of the same family or parents have notified me that another child is in their "bubble."

4. We are not providing food right now. Students are encouraged to bring their own snacks if they are hungry.

5. We are not playing games where we all touch a common item, like a ball.

6. Hand sanitizer is available at all our meetings.

Please let me know if you have any questions, suggestions, concerns, or comments. We continue to meet online for Sunday School every Sunday morning at 11am. The Hatfields led during December, and Ted Rokitowski is leading during January. We also have our Discord server where kids are encouraged to interact with one another throughout the week, with discussion boards, prayer, faith questions, and general meme-sharing.

Now that Kandace is back from sabbatical, I will be taking two weeks of vacation starting next Monday. That means I need to find two adults to lead the youth gathering on Sunday, January 24, and 31. If you would be interested, please let me know. Read below for more things that are coming up this spring!

Grace and peace,
Pastor Becky
(813)478-2489

Sunday School

During January we have started a new lesson using videos from The Bible Project, looking at how we read the Bible. We will be exploring the different literary styles found in the Bible, who wrote it and when, over-arching themes, and how all of these things shape how we read and understand it.

Zoom Link for Sunday School
Every Sunday Morning 11am-12pm

Confirmation Class

We are going to have a Spring Confirmation Class, online through Zoom starting in February. The day of the week and time are TBD. If you are interested in being a part of this class that explores basic Christian beliefs it is open to all youth 7th grade and up who have not yet joined the church. Just click on the link below to indicate your interest and I will be in touch to find the time that works best for everyone.

United Methodists use the term "confirmation" to mark the first time a baptized Christian publicly "confirms" their intention to live the vows of the baptismal and membership covenant and so becomes a professing member of the local congregation and The United Methodist Church. This class will be 8 weeks, and students who wish to join the church will be invited to do so at the end of the class during worship (in person or virtually).

I am Interested!

We're Going on a Hike

The pictures above are from our most recent hike to Lake Overstreet in Maclay Gardens. We hiked from the Forest Meadows Trailhead, across Meridian to the Ridge Loop and out to the lake overlook. These trips have been a safe and fun way to get outdoors and connect.

Weather permitting, we will go on another hike February 6th from 10am to 12pm. We are going to start at the J. R. Alford Greenway, and hike the Greenway Loop. Bring a water bottle, mask, towel, and wear closed-toe shoes. Family members are very welcome to join us (younger siblings only if adult also comes).

Youth Band

Several of our youth have been interested in forming a youth band. After some initial conversations and planning we decided to share a few music videos along with music. Anyone who is interested should listen and practice along with their instrument or singing. We will look to try and play them together at some point in the future. Look for more information to come.

Youth Band Music

Where are we with hiring a youth director?

Saint Paul's UMC has been conducting a search for a Director of Children, Youth, and Families. Jill will be retiring soon, and with our current pandemic situation, the leadership felt it was best to combine these positions and look to expand (as needed) when things return to in-person without restrictions. We have received many resumes and we are in the process of conducting interviews. We are very excited and hopeful about the current candidates. I will let you know when we have more information. Either way, as a parent as well as a staff member, I plan to remain involved in the youth ministry program, though some of my responsibilities will shift as we hire someone to oversee and create a cohesive vision for our children and youth ministries.

Right now, trips that would require bus travel or overnight stays are not being planned. Hopefully, we will be able to resume these types of outings as the vaccine gets rolled out and infection rates become lower.

Copyright © 2021 Saint Paul's United Methodist Church, All rights reserved.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.