wake forest baptist third quarter 2016 council reports€¦ · [wake forest baptist third quarter...
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[WAKE FOREST BAPTIST THIRD QUARTER 2016 COUNCIL REPORTS] 1
Council reports are arranged alphabetically: Administration, Children, Education, Missions, Music, Outreach, Worship, and Youth
Administration
Children’s Ministry Council
Thank you: A very special “thank you” to Allison MyIntyre, Annette Byrne, Leann Tedder, Lynette Beadle, Maegan Spontak, and Martha Harmening for maintaining and growing ALL of the many ministries for the children during the nine month absence of a staff person for Children’s Ministries.
Minister of Children and Families: Lisa Baker became our Minister of Children and Families on August 15, 2016.
Dual Sunday School: The onset of Dual Worship and Dual Sunday school required that Children’s Ministry DOUBLE its’ volunteers for the Shared Care Ministry, the Sunday school ministry, and the Children’s Church ministry. The Leadership team worked tirelessly to ensure that the mentioned ministries were covered at both the 9:30 and the 11:00 hour, with very few vacancies remaining.
o We are analyzing our weekly attendance and volunteers to see how we will move forward with Children’s Church in 2017.
Children’s Leadership Council: This team is currently in the process of praying over the future of Children’s Ministry at Wake Forest Baptist Church.
o Growing membership on the Leadership Council o Writing a Mission statement for Children’s Ministry o Re-vamping of policies/procedures/some current ministries o Long Range Planning for the next three years
Education Council
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Dual Sunday School (DSS)/Dual Worship: It's Here! After years of planning, months of
prayers, and countless hours of planning, Dual Sunday School and Dual Worship began on
September 18, 2016. All of the prayers and plans paid off as everything ran very smoothly
during the first two Sundays under the new schedule.
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Dr. Jo Ann Stancil deserves tremendous thanks for her leadership during these past 3 years
of preparation and planning and especially for her guidance during the months leading up
to the implementation of Dual SS/Dual Worship. Thank you is also extended to the Sunday
School Council for its assistance in planning and to Sunday School teachers in all divisions
for assistance in easing the transition for everyone.
Dozens more volunteers also gave of their time and talents to help make the
implementation of Dual SS/Dual Worship a smooth reality. Thank you to all of those
volunteers listed below:
Training Breakfasts: Nan Hill, Bob Jacobs, Joan Jacobs, Janis Shea, Ed Stancil
Communication Team: Kathryn Sansbury, Patti Soule, Becky Stone, Lloyd Stone
Nursery for Prayer Meeting: Ed Stancil, Mary Ann Turner
Hanging Banners: Tommy Killebrew, Ed Stancil
Publicity Committee: Grace Debevec, Steve Debevec, Leeann Tedder, Mike Tedder, Mary
Yount
Skits: Steve Debevec, Adam Fitzgerald, Margot Hafner, Robert Harmening, Ryan Keith,
Isabella McNeill
Directional Team: Carolyn Aycock, Spencer Aycock, Judy Green, Kendra Beth Lively, Melissa
Lloyd, Tommy Lloyd, Jim McKay, Marie McKay, Mark Scarbrough, Mary Ann Turner, Norman
Turner
Enlistment Team: Lisa Baker, Lynnette Beadle, Annette Byrne, Martha Harmening, Susan
Leonard, Allison McIntyre, Maegan Spontak, Jo Ann Stancil, Leeann Tedder
Sunday School Directors: Joe Kenney, Steve Shaw
Curriculum Team: Lucy Spell, Mary Ann Turner
Music: Bryant Moxley and The Chancel Choir
Dual Sunday School Schedule:
Track One: 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Classes and 11:00 a.m. Worship
Apprentice (Jeff Spontak) Grace (Wayne Hill)
Barnabas (Christie Hill, Bob Rhoden) Branches (Lori Hubbard)
Deaf (John Bradley, Beth Fitts) Faith Growers (Jim Leonard)
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Friendship (Mary Hitchcock) Seekers (Phil Inscoe)
Single Adult (Tim Barnard)*
Track Two: 9:30 a.m. Worship and 11:00 a.m. Sunday School Classes
Agape (Carol Williams, Patti Soule, Ed Stancil, Bob Jacobs)
Bible Book (Don Dickens)
Brian VanVoorhis Class
College/Young Adult (Jo Ann Stancil)
Explorers (Joe Kenney
Genesis (Karen Brewer, Sarah Krepp)*
Koinonia (Ken Stallings, Bev Whisnant, Gene Adams, Doug Leary)
Theophilus (Jim Adams)
The Connection (Annette Byrne, Mike Tedder)
All Youth
*denotes new Sunday School classes offered with expansion to DSS
Preschoolers in the crib room through 4-year-old room are attending Sunday School during
the 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. block and Shared Care is provided during the 11:00 a.m. - Noon hour,
regardless of the track assignment of the parents. Sunday School for children in grades K-6
will be offered during both hours. Children in grades K-6 will attend Sunday School and
worship based on the track assignment of their parents. If parents are assigned to Track
One, then children will also follow Track One. If parents are assigned to Track Two, then
children will also follow Track Two. All Youth will follow the Track Two Schedule.
Sunday School Teacher Training: In preparation for Dual Sunday School, teacher training
was offered to children's and preschool Sunday School teachers in August. On August 20, Jo
Ann Stancil led the training session for children's Sunday School teachers. On August 27,
Lisa Baker and Martha Harmening led training for preschool Sunday School teachers. Each
session focused on curriculum training and answering questions about the DSS schedule
and track system. Breakfast was provided at each session thanks to the Training Breakfasts
team listed above.
Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Banquet: On September 11, the WFBC Staff hosted a
luncheon to express appreciation to all Sunday School teachers for the 2015-2016 Sunday
School year. Over 100 people (teachers and their families) attended the luncheon which
was held in the Fellowship Hall.
A huge thank you goes out to all teachers who served by teaching Sunday School during the
2015-2016 year:
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Adult Sunday School Teachers Friendship: Mary Hitchcock, Karen Brewer, Jan Fountain Theophilus: Jim Adams, Roger Philips, Jack Hayes Seekers: David Hitchcock, Phil Inscoe, Lloyd Gibson, Pat Packett, Lois Shirley Koinonia: Ken Stallings, Bobby Marshall, Gene Adams, Bev Whisnant, Janis
Shea, Kay Gelo, Doug Leary Bible Book: Don Dickens, Ed Stancil, Buck Moye, Jeanne Fisher Grace: Wayne Hill, Jo Ann Stancil, Allan Livingstone College: Leona James Deaf: Beth Fitts, John Bradley, Neal Peyton, JoAnn Peyton Explorers: Joe Kenney, Rob King, Laura Wrenn, Tom Roper, Heather Forshey,
Ashley Pearce Apprentice: Jeff Spontak, Eric Goodwin, Jay Lloyd, Shaun Price Agape: Carol Williams, Patti Soule, Ed Stancil, Bob Jacobs Barnabas: Christie Hill, Bob Rhoden Faith Growers: Jim Leonard, Alice Leonard Young Adults: Mike Tedder, Annette Byrne, Adam McIntyre Branches: Lori Hubbard, Bryan Smith, David Leonard Brian Van Voorhis: Brian Van Voorhis, Ann and Mitch Packett, Steve Debevec, Wayne
and Carrie Bailey Youth Sunday School Teachers 7 & 8 Grade: Rob James, Tim and Kristi Gupton 9 & 10 Grade: Eric Keravouri, Adam McIntyre, Jim Worley 11 & 12 Grade: Steve Wolford, Ed Austin Floaters: Tim and Kristi Gupton
Children Sunday School Teachers 1st Grade: Gene Cross, Kim Cross, Deborah Moye 2nd Grade: Kathryn Dunn, Lisa Worley, Mike Dishman, Janice Ishikawa 3rd Grade: Leigh Berrier, Rose Juzwick 4th Grade: Sandy Thomason, Tommy Killebrew, Elizabeth Williams, Tom
Warren 5th Grade: Dorothy Bowman, Eric Keravouri, Katie Hill, Lisa Leary 6th Grade: Ed Hubbard, Stephen Barrington, Tim Bernard, Vince Remsburger
Preschool Sunday School Teachers Division Directors: Martha Harmening, Maegan Spontak Crib Room: Amy Dowdle, Wendy Berkhead, Megan Apple, Annette Byrne, Tracy
Boyd, Lisa Remsburger, Melanie Ray Toddlers: Wendi McDaniel, John Opsal, Laura Wrenn, Holly Szczypinski Twos: Justin Walker, Candace Walker, Margot Hafner, Katherine Goodwin Threes: Josh Weathers, Karen Weathers, Mary Young, Mary Ann Turner Fours: Shaun Price, Joy Price, Stephanie Funderburke, Sarah Krepp Kindergarten: Bill Boone, Alyson Boone, Allison McIntyre, Amy Mackie
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SENIOR ADULTS
Fellowship Events
Pot-luck dinner and movie nights are generally held on the fourth Friday of each
month at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Dinners were held on July 22, August 26,
and September 23.
Trip to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum: On July 28, a group of senior
adults traveled to Fayetteville, NC, to visit the Airborne and Special Operations
Museum and the adjacent Veterans' Park. Following these visits, participants
enjoyed lunch at the renowned Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop, followed by dessert at
Doc's Homemade Ice Cream shop.
Trip to the Mordecai House and Museum of Natural Sciences: On August 18, the
senior adult ministry enjoyed a trip to Raleigh's historic Mordecai House, site of one
of Raleigh's largest plantations during antebellum days. They toured the main
house, along with the surrounding outbuildings and grounds. Following the tours
at Mordecai, the group enjoyed an afternoon of scientific exploration in the Museum
of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh.
Seagrove Pottery Trail Tour: On September 1, a group of senior adults traveled to
Seagrove, NC, to explore its famous pottery trail. They visited 6 working pottery
studios and enjoyed live demonstrations from the artists. Before heading back to
Wake Forest, the group enjoyed lunch at Westmore Family Restaurant.
"Back in Time" Road Trip: A group of senior adults enjoyed a trip "back in time" on
September 30-October 1 when they enjoyed a day of antique shopping in Asheboro,
NC, followed by a visit to the Carolina Renaissance Festival outside of Charlotte, NC.
Senior Adult Choir
The Senior Adult Choir is meeting the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays of the month at 10:30
a.m. under the direction of Bryant Moxley.
Communion Ministry
Senior Adults served Communion at Hillside Nursing Home on July 26, August 23, and
September 27 at 10:00 a.m. They offered Communion at Brookdale on July 28, August 25,
and September 22 at 9:45 a.m. They also served communion at Carillon Assisted Living on
July 14, August 11, and September 8 at 10:00 a.m.
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New!! Visitation Ministry: "Connections"
This spring, the senior adult ministry launched a new visitation ministry under the
leadership of Nan Hill and the assistance of Sally Lovdahl. This ministry, which is called
Connections, serves both homebound and other seniors who wish to receive daytime or
early evening visits, cards, or phone calls. Connections aims to keep seniors connected to
their church family through monthly contacts. Currently, 15 people are visiting seniors in
the church.
DISCIPLESHIP
Support Groups
Alzheimer's Support Group: This group is not currently meeting due to a new group
that was formed at Carillon Assisted Living.
Divorce Care: This 13-week support group ministry resumed on August 15 and is
currently ongoing. The group meets Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m., and childcare is
provided. Under the leadership of Mike Dishman, this ministry continues to provide
a wonderful outreach opportunity to the community. Of the 16 adults who have
participated so far, only 1 is a church member. Average weekly attendance is 8-10.
Amy Mackie has joined as a "facilitator in training" and is working with Mike
Dishman and Jim McKay to lead this group.
In November, there will be a special session of Divorce Care called "Facing the
Holidays" that helps separated and divorced people deal with the challenging
emotions they will face from Thanksgiving through New Year's.
Recently, Mike Dishman was invited to go to Church Initiative to be interviewed in a
new video they are producing to help churches recruit leaders for Divorce Care.
Divorce Care for Kids (DC4K): The fall session of DC4K began in August. Adult
leaders are Bob Beadle, Katie Hill, Mary Hitchcock, Shannon McNeill, and Mary
Yount, with assistance from David Hitchcock. So far, 10 children have
participated...which is an increase over past sessions. About half of the participants
are part of the WFBC church family.
Grief Recovery Group: This group is currently not meeting due to lack of
attendance. It may resume in the future.
Bible Study Groups
Young Mother's Bible Study: This group, which is led by Joy Price, meets at the
church every other Friday morning from 9:00a.m. - 10:45 a.m. and every other
Thursday evening from 8:00 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. This schedule enables both working
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moms and moms who can only meet during the day to come to the meetings.
Currently, there are around 20 young mothers on the roster, with each meeting
averaging around 12 participants.
Young Men's Bible Study: The Young Men's Bible Study meets every other Tuesday
from 8:30 - 10:00 p.m. There are currently 8-10 men participating in the study, with
an average weekly attendance of 4-5 men.
The King’s Daughters Bible Study: This group is open to women of all ages and
meets on Wednesday mornings from 9:30a.m. – 11:00a.m. This group resumed in
September and is currently studying Priscilla Shirer's study, "Breathe." One
description of this study says, "One of the greatest challenges among women in our
culture is taking time to cease from all the activities and just breathe. By neglecting
time for tranquility, serenity, and repose, we limit our Christlikeness and miss out
on some of God's greatest gifts. In the Old Testament, Sabbath was given to the
Israelites as a gift and it is still a gift to us today." There are 32 women currently
enrolled in this study.
Discipleship Classes: Wednesday Night Live:
The fall session of Wednesday Night Live adult Bible study classes kicked off on September
14 with a special 5-week study entitled "Jesus' Rx For a Healthy Life." Led by Dr. Slater, this
study looks at how everything from laughter to exercise helps to improve our physical and
spiritual lives.
Week 1: Laugh A Lot! Professional Comedian Mick McKenna will help participants "Laugh a
Lot" as we follow the "Jesus Rx for a Healthy Life."
Week 2: Hang Out With Friends: Participants were encouraged to "Bring a Friend" and
enjoy a fun game that is sure to get everyone talking!
Week 3: Set The Table: Come Enjoy a special version of the Lord's Supper.
Week 4: Walk: Following supper, participants can look forward to a fun activity related to
walking.
Week 5: Embrace the Unknown: During and after supper, Magician Shaun Jay will entertain
everyone as we learn to embrace the unknown.
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WOMEN'S MINISTRY
Women's Retreat: Planning is underway for the 2017 Women's Retreat. The theme
for the retreat will be "Sweet Life Cafe´: Where Women Savor Time With God." The
retreat will be held April 28-30, 2017, at Caraway Conference Center in Asheboro,
NC. Registration will begin in November. A special BBQ plate fundraiser will be
held on October 23 in an effort to help offset the cost of attendance for retreat
attendees.
NEW!! MEN'S MINISTRY
New Men's Ministry: Handyman Ministry: The first ministry activity of the
newly formed Men's Ministry was a Handyman Ministry which began in July.
This ministry will provide opportunities for men to gather together in
fellowship as they help church and community members with simple
household repairs. A small group of men met on July 23 to replace and make
repairs to a porch roof and some fascia boards on the home of a retired 3rd
grade teacher.
NEW!! SINGLES MINISTRY
This spring, WFBC launched a new Singles Ministry. The Singles Ministry
began with a Wednesday night class in April and May. A new Singles Sunday
School class also began in September. Monthly fellowship are also offered.
Fellowship Events:
Sunday Lunch: All singles are invited to go to lunch together after the
11:00 a.m. worship service. The group meets at the bottom of the
outside steps to the sanctuary to decide where to go for lunch.
Bike Ride at Joyner Park: On July 16, singles were invited to enjoy a
morning of bike riding or walking at Joyner Park.
Par 3 Golf Tournament: The Singles Ministry hosted a Par 3
Tournament at Knight's Play Golf Center on August 13.
Missions Council
During the 3nd Quarter of 2016, Wake Forest Baptist Church Missions has been very busy
as follows:
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Good Neighbor Ministry – Serving about 120 hot dogs just the way they are wanted every
Saturday in the Northwest part of Wake Forest. During late spring, summer, and fall, fresh veggies
from the Community Garden are available as well. Building relationships with the community
surrounding Taylor Street Park. In 2016, we are in our 12th Year for this ministry, during which we
have provided over 52,000 Hot Dogs.
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle – So far in 2016 we have helped 847 households with 2482 individuals
and with the help of 466 volunteers with fresh food that was distributed from WFBC . We also
provided food from the Community Garden during this quarter. Since 2010, we have assisted
20,000 Individuals.
Mobile Food Trailer
During this quarter, the Missions Council used the Mobile Food Trailer to provide six fresh meals at
the Taylor Street Park. Every second and fourth Wednesday each month, we provide a fresh meal
at the park and serve 80+people each time in the community. We will continue to expand this
ministry and look for opportunities to serve in other parts of Wake County.
Community Garden
We plan to have our first long range planning committee meeting on October 16.
We have had some informal discussions with the seminary about them having a bigger role in the garden. They reached out to us on this, and we are talking.
We had our first ever honey harvest. Dave Arnold maintains our hives and donates much of the honey to the garden (technically he owns the honey). Through his generosity we had our first ever
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honey auction with all funds raised to go to the garden. We raised close to $2000. The garden is very appreciative of Dave’s work on this and the generous donation.
Having a second operational water supply is very helpful. Thus far in 2016, we harvested over
5,000 pounds of food that has been provided to the Good Neighbor Ministry, Bunn Soup Kitchen
and Inter Faith Food Shuttle. As of September, 2016, we've harvested over 14,000 pounds of
produce since we started the Garden in August 2013. The Garden is located behind the church
house. The team meets every Saturday from 9-12pm. We have had over 170 volunteers
participating who have donated over 5000 man-hours...including several community members
from outside of WFBC.
Quilting Ministry
The Quilting ministry is meeting weekly and has averaged 13 quilters at each meeting this quarter.
They have sent quilts, bags, and curtains to Uganda and quilts to South Carolina...and are continuing
to work on quilts to go to other ministries. The quilting ministry sent 15 quilts, 80 tote bags and 14
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pair of curtains to Uganda. The curtains are for their new guest house and the bags are for teachers
and students.
Disaster Relief
Several years ago, WFBC received a donation from the Wake Forest Community Response team to
purchase a trailer for the WFBC Disaster Relief Team, and it has been registered with the NC Baptist
Men. Since then, we’ve purchased needed equipment (chainsaws, shovels, rakes, tarps, furring
strips, etc. and safety equipment for our volunteers. We currently have 16 Individuals certified
through the NC Baptist Men Disaster Relief Program. Here are some work items done this quarter
by Neal Peyton, Eric Goodwin, Ed Stancil, Ed Hubbard, Pete Newton, Tommy Killebrew, Ken Barber,
Dave Shannon, and John Honeycutt, and Tom Long:
Built shelves for Jones Dairy Elementary School;
Assembled playground boat for Wee Care;
Replaced tarp on Rebecca Tiffany's house;
Mowing Henrietta Castle’s yard;
Repairing Henrietta Castle’s water heater and replacing her clothes dryer;
Repaired three porch roofs on Alice Hayes home; and
Repaired Judy Durham's roof.
Stop Hunger Now
We held a Stop Hunger Now event with about 100 volunteers from WF Baptist Church along with 7
volunteers from WF Methodist Church and packed about 12,000 meals. The next Stop Hunger Now
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event will be held in April-May 2017. This continues to be a very successful and satisfying inter-
generational service activity for all our congregation and friends.
The Ministry Matters program is a new Missions Council initiative that will minister to those
individuals that now reside, permanently or temporarily, in our area rest homes, assisted living
facilities, and short/long term care facilities. The ministry would include individual and personal
visits, group crafting, music and sharing God’s Word in various settings.
The Deaf Ministry
The Deaf Sunday school class led in hosting a church-wide “pounding” for the Parks family. They
are deaf missionaries who returned from Thailand back to our area for the summer. Our deaf class
is continued to meet for Bible studies, socials and times of outreach during the summer.
Congregational Health Ministry met, oriented new members and re-established its
purpose. Issues of care at this time include: 5 care teams, revision of safety practices Wee Care,
and Shared Care, review of emergency care by the Usher Team, installation of care and safety plans
for the Interfaith Food Shuttle, and participation in an upcoming Community wide depression
screening Friday, Oct 7th in our education building.
Helping Hands Ministry is being developed in collaboration with the Diaconate's Deacon @ Home
ministry. November 5 is tentatively planned as the first work day for volunteers who wish to help
with our initial list of work items.
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The Relay for Life is an annual effort of the Congregational Health Ministries at WFBC. This
ministry focuses on celebrating cancer survivors, mourning cancer victims, and informing everyone
about cancer…prevention, treatments, research, development, etc. For 2017, the local Relay for Life
is combining with the one in Briar Creek, which is now called Raleigh Relay for Life.
Music and Arts Council
Significant events of the third quarter were primarily centered on the several unique Summer
Music Ministries, resuming of ensemble rehearsals, expansion of Music Ministry Leadership Team
and the transition to Dual Worship. Key elements are highlighted below.
Summer Music Ministries:
The Summer Choir consisting of Chancel Choir, Youth Choir and other interested singers provided
music for worship through July and August. Summer Music EXPLO sessions included the following
4 week classes: Intro to Puppets, Music with Preschoolers, Music with Toddlers, Music with Babies
and Intro to Orff/Boomwhackers. These classes were attended by approximately 30 children.
Fall Schedule Resumes:
Late August and early September is the regular time to resume rehearsals for all ensembles.
Preschool Music, Kairos Children’s Ministry, Music with Babies, Music with Toddlers, Youth Choir,
Youth Praise Band, Youth Instrumental Ensemble, Chancel Choir, Men’s Chorus,
Beginning/Intermediate Handbells, Advanced Handbells and Senior Adult Choir all resumed their
regular schedule of rehearsals and worship leadership. A new ministry this fall is the Children’s
Puppet Team which meets weekly.
Expansion of Music Ministry Leadership Team:
For the Music Ministry of Wake Forest Baptist Church to continue to grow, it is imperative that lay
leaders are identified, empowered and engaged in significant leadership of ensembles. This fall two
new accompanists are serving, three individuals are sharing leadership of Advanced Handbells, and
one new director is serving in the Kairos Children’s Choir Ministry. Chris Elder has assumed
leadership of the Music Ministry Council and Calvin Carter has begun service as Music Ministry
Intern.
Transition to Dual Worship:
After many months of brainstorming, planning, organizing and recruiting, Dual Worship was begun
in September. This process has been a very challenging, yet healthy journey that has resulted in a
new model of preparation and worship leadership for the Chancel Choir. There are now two
weekly opportunities for Chancel Choir rehearsals: Sundays at 6:00 PM and Wednesdays at 7:30
PM. Most Sundays the Chancel Choir is divided based on Sunday Class placement into two
relatively equal choirs of 20-25 singers each. Approximately once a month most of the Chancel
Choir members will sing both services. On other Sundays the Youth Choir and Children’s Choirs
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will join the Chancel Choir. The Chancel Choir officers and members are to be commended for their
exceptional attitudes during this significant transition.
Outreach Council
Worship Council
The Worship Council is made up of the following teams: Lord’s Supper, Baptism, Flower & Altar, Weddings, Funerals, Special Worship Events, Worship Media, and Hospitality. These teams faithfully ensure that our church has been made ready for all of the events that occur there each week.
Youth Council
Mission Trip to Columbia, South Carolina
(July 9 – July 16)—77 Youth and adults from our church (a record number for our summer
mission trips) traveled to Columbia, SC to aid with home repair after what was described as a once
in a 1,000 year flood in October of 2015. We were able to work on 8 worksites doing a variety of
work to remind people of God’s love. Our work included home repair, construction, demolition,
mold remediation, food bank and food pantry assistance. Our theme for the week was “Put your
faith in action” and on July 17th, our mission team shared their experiences with our church family
during a special service of worship.
Summer SonDown and SonDown—We continued to have SonDown meetings
each week during the summer at the Stephenson Pavilion. Leading up to our mission trip, we
studied the entire book of James to learn about what it means to put our faith into action. After our
mission trip, we discussed what it felt like to put our faith in action and ways that we can continue
to do that here at home.
Parent and Volunteer Sign-Up Night—On August 21st, we held our parent and
volunteer sign-up night. Parents and Volunteers signed up on posters explaining each ministry,
retreat and missions event. I always feel so pleased and lucky to see so many willing to give of their
time to help our youth grow in their faith.
Youth Luau (August 24) — This year’s youth luau at the Heritage View pool was a
great opportunity for our new members of the youth group to connect and share with our returning youth group members. It was also a great opportunity for the Senior Class to welcome new
members into our group.
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SonUp Sunday School—During the Summer, our Youth Sunday School classes (SonUp)
met together. Now that the school year is back in full swing, our Youth Sunday School continues to
be a great tool for Bible Study. We made the transition to dual Sunday School and Worship in
September which means that youth have worship from 9:30-10:30 and SonUp from 11-12. We
have seen a large increase in the number of youth who are attending Sunday School over the past
couple of weeks and are seeing a consistent number of youth in worship. Youth consistently bring
ideas and lessons taught to them in Sunday School to SonDown, Ignite, and other ministries. This is a testament to our teachers and shows me that they are actually retaining what they are learning.
Ignite—Our Wednesday night small groups have started this year. We are again divided into
High School Girls (led by Katherine Goodwin), High School Guys (led by Miles Williams and Adam
Fitzgerald) and Middle School (led by Jeff Spontak and Eric Goodwin). Once a month these groups
will combine to take part in mission projects.
9th and 10th Grade Christian Rafting Retreat—We could not have asked for
better weather for our 9th and 10th Grade Christian Rafting Retreat in Tennessee. It was a great
retreat with a large number of adults giving of their time to lead our youth in discussions of faith
and share with them in fellowship activities. Our theme this year was ‘God is…’ and we focused on
who God is and what he is like: ‘God is Present’, ‘God is Speaking’, ‘God is In Control’, and ‘God is
Sending You’. The highlight of this year’s rafting retreat was taking time for each youth to pair with
an adult for their devotions on Saturday.
SonDown— We resumed our normal SonDown programs in September and began a theme
called “WIRED” where we look at what Jesus called “the greatest commandment”. It is here where
we learn that we are wired to have three vital relationships: with God, with ourselves, and with
others. And when those connections are made, everything else begins to function as it was
designed.