YOUTH SUMMER MISSION TRIP TO MT. PLEASANT, SC JULY 19-26
Junior and Senior High Youth
Our youth ministry offers opportunities for students to worship, study, serve and find fellowship together. Please contact the Rev. Mark Steiger for information on any of our youth programs. Visit Church of the Saviour's youth website at http://www.cotsyouth.co.nr.
Friday Night Programs
Friday night at the church is a time of fun, fellowship and faith with social events and devotions.
- Junior UMYF (grades 5-8) meets from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Call Pam Rossi at (216) 321-8880 about coming events.
- Senior UMYF (grades 9-12) meets from 7:00-11:00 p.m. Email or call Curt Campbell at (216) 321-8880 about coming events.
Sunday Night Live (SNL)
Youth (grades 8-12) meet on Sunday nights in small groups for fellowship, sharing and discussion in a comfortable setting. Call Curt Campbell about coming events.
Service Saturdays
On the third Saturday of each month, the Junior and Senior UMYF groups participate in a community service project in the Cleveland area such as:
- Laura's Home, the City Mission's ministry for women and children
- North Coast Community Homes family picnic (mentally retarded adults)
- Cleveland Food Bank
- Hospice of the Western Reserve
Retreats
A chance for youth to grow closer to God. Some grow a little, some grow a lot, but all come home better for having been there. Read about our past retreat at Camp Asbury here.
- Ditch the World for the Weekend-Find God for Life!" was the theme as 33 youth grades 5-8 spent the weekend at Camp Asbury in September and 27 youth grades 9-12 spent the weekend in November. Both retreats featured Jeremiah 29:11-13 as their Scripture theme and "Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord" as their theme song.
- Sexuality retreats in February 2007
- Created by God" for grades 5-6. Biblically-based curriculum for grades 9-12
Youth Sunday
The youth of our church lead all three worship services. The Junior and Senior High United Methodist Youth Fellowship groups work together to plan and develop the sermons, prayers, music and other elements of the services. They present the message and serve as ushers.
Acolyte Ministry
Junior and Senior high youth volunteer during Sunday morning worship services to light candles, carry the Bible and the Cross in procession, and assist with Communion and Baptism.
Mission/Work Trips
In summer 2007, our youth will travel to Chillicothe, Ohio in the area served by Jackson Area Ministries. Here's a report on the 2007 trip: From July 28 to August 3, 42 youth and 15 adults worked in Chillicothe, Ohio on our annual youth mission trip. The temperature was well into the 90s and the humidity was oppressive. But as you might expect, it did not slow anyone down. During four days of work, our group helped people at 19 different homes. The projects ranged from interior painting and housekeeping, to exterior repairs and painting, to wheelchair ramp and porch roof construction. But that is just the beginning. The week of the mission trip is one of the times it is easiest to become completely immersed in God's work - from the moment you wake up until lights out. Once we let his Holy Spirit take over, it is amazing what changes can happen. Our theme for the week, Encouragement, is based on 1 Thessalonians 5:11-23. It begins, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…." The youth took it to heart. They not only looked out for each other in the heat, keeping everyone safe and hydrated, but they encouraged during their down time as well. Whenever you bring together a group of people this large, you are going to have some who feel less comfortable and less familiar with the masses. Throughout the week, youth included the less comfortable, and the less comfortable were willing to give it a shot. By the time Friday came around, it was evident that each and every youth felt they were a meaningful part of our group. That is no small feat, and one that is possible only through the action of the Holy Spirit! And why did they all feel a part of the group? Because every one of the youth and adults were joined together in one common purpose: to share the love of Jesus with each other and the people of Chillicothe. On a larger scale, our entire church was focused on that purpose - through all of your thoughts and prayers, and financial support. Thank you! Let us all continue to encourage one another and be ready for the Holy Spirit to bring amazing changes in our own lives.
A longer mission trip to a United Methodist mission at Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina is in the planning stages for July 19-27, 2008.
Confirmation Class
Being confirmed into the church means that a person accepts church membership as a knowledgeable, willing and responsible candidate. To prepare for this important life event, study of the Church sacraments, and Christian faith begins in January and concludes on Pentecost Sunday.
YouthJAM
A conference-wide event designed to deepen the relationship of youth with Christ and to help them share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. Over a 2-3 day weekend, youth have the chance to hear some great music by leading Christian bands. Teenagers from a variety of backgrounds from inner-city to rural life testify about their relationship with the risen Lord. Attendees choose from over 20 workshops ranging from dealing with parents' divorce to being a Christian athlete. Offerings may also include performance-based workshops in choir, clowning and sign language. Youth demonstrate their skills in the Sunday morning worship service which concludes the event. Over 2,000 youth from across the state of Ohio participated in last year's YouthJAM.
Scouting
God and Country Awards
Church of the Saviour hosts both Cub Scout and Girl Scout troops at our church.
- God and Me is a curriculum for younger scouts that emphasizes developing a personal relationship with Jesus. Scouts meet five times with clergy to discuss the wonder of creation in the image of God, the gift of Jesus Christ, the role of prayer in our lives, and how scouts should care for others because God cares for them.
- God and Family is a seven-session program designed for older elementary students. It discusses our role in our biological family and our place in the family of God. Scouts explore both family and spiritual heritage, their gifts and talents, the meaning of unconditional love and appropriate responses to God's love.
New God and Country classes will be beginning soon. Please contact the Rev. Mark Steiger for further information.
Did you know?
Young adults now have a special place in cyberspace, thanks to the United Methodist Church. The General Board of Discipleship's Young People's Ministries division has launched a website specifically targeting young adults worldwide in the United Methodist Church.
Billed as the Young Adult Network, the website seeks to connect young adults to each other. Young adults in college, in the service, living and working at home or abroad, can check it out at www.gbod.org/young-people/yanet.