Youth Fellowship Groups

Youth at Westminster

The youth ministry at Westminster is a program that provides opportunities for middle school and high school age students to participate in programming that centers on developing students’ faith and their concept of the world. Our hope is to provide a safe place where students can come to find their own voice within the congregation and the community.

We understand that youth lead very busy lives. That is why Westminster provides programming that responds to the needs and interests for our young people (PCUSA) in ways that allow them to live through service to God.

Youth Connection

The name Youth Connection is a unifying concept for youth programming from the PCUSA
Based on three needs recognized by PCUSA as being important to young people, Youth Connection aims to fulfill the needs of individuals seeking Identity, belonging, and leadership. The Presbyterian Youth Connection seeks to do just that -- connect young people to each other, the whole church, and the whole world through faith.

Presbyterian Youth Connection is built on the five intentions of the Presbyterian Youth Ministry:

To call young people to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
To respond to the needs and the interests of young people.
To work together, youth and adults, in partnership.
To be connected to the whole church, community, and the world.
To include all young people, reaching out and inviting them to belong to the community of faith.

(From the Presbyterian Church USA Presbyterian Youth Connection (PYC) Ministry Network)

Youth Connection at Westminster ministers to two specific groups of young people; the Westminster Active Middle Schoolers (WAMS) and the Senior Highs of Westminster (SHOW).

W.A.M.S.

Westminster’s Active Middle Schoolers is comprised of students from 6^th to 8^th grade. The WAMS program includes age appropriate Sunday School, fellowship, and service opportunities for young teens. Each year there is a fall and spring retreat. For the summer, WAMS now attend a mission trip or conference voted on by the youth themselves!

S.H.O.W.

Senior High’s Of Westminster includes students from 9^th to 12^th grade. Sunday School focuses on contemporary issues surrounding teens today and challenges them to critically think about the role that faith plays in their lives. Fall and spring retreats, as well as a summer conference or mission trips, gives youth a chance to live their faith through action!

Theme for the Year.

“Building Relationships from the Inside Out”.

For the 2008-2009 year we will explore our faith and ourselves through relationships. We all know that relationships shape who we are. Programming for this year is aimed at connecting youth’s faith from the individual level to the congregational level and ultimately the community sector.

Sunday school and Fellowship will help youth grow spiritually and socially. Service work at Westminster and in the community will help us build interpersonal relationships inside and outside of the church. Also, meeting with other youth groups around the area will help promote the importance of developing relations within the larger community.

Youth Connection Sunday School

During the summer (Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend), there is no Sunday School at Westminster. Sunday School resumes in the fall on Rally Day, September 7, 2008, when the church returns to its schedule of two worship services, 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., with Sunday School at 10:00 a.m.

W.A.M.S. The Middle School (6th through 8th graders) Sunday School meets during the normal Sunday School time (10:00 a.m.) in the Middle School Room. Sunday School teachers are Lisa Trofatter and Stephanie Lynch-Wright.

S.H.O.W. The High School (9th through 12th graders) Sunday School also meets during the normal Sunday School hour (10:00 a.m.) in the Senior High Room. Sunday School teachers are Bill and Renee Wiesehuegel.

Please call our Youth Director, Pete Trofatter, at 584-3957, ext. 21, if you would like more information about these classes.

Daily Devotional: Check this out. Whether you are having a good day or a bad day, this daily meditation site is just what you need; some quiet reflection.

http://www.d365.org/todaysdevotion/

Youth Connection Fellowship: W.A.M.S. and S.H.O.W.

Fellowship is a time to gather with friends, socialize, and discuss topics relevant to the lives of our youth. Besides Sunday meetings, the groups will meet for service opportunities, fundraisers, and other events at different times throughout the year. The program is open to all youth, both inside and outside of our congregation!

We are trying a new schedule for the Fall semester. Times and dates for meetings are subject to additions or change depending on the activity, so keep an eye out for updates. Hope to see you there!

W.A.M.S. 6^th through 8^th grade.

Meeting time: 12:15pm – 2:30pm following the 11:00 o’clock service. A light lunch will be provided for middle schoolers by parent volunteers and congregation members. Don’t forget to invite friends; anyone is welcome! Questions? Call Pete Trofatter, Westminster's Youth Director, at 584-3957, ext. 21.

S.H.O.W. 9^th through 12^th grade.

Meeting time: 3:30pm – 5:30pm. Snacks will be provided, but no formal meal. Again, remember to look at the calendar for schedule and time changes. Questions? Call Pete Trofatter, Westminster's Youth Director, at 584-3957, ext. 21

Service and Mission Projects

The Youth of Westminster throughout the year participate in a variety of local missions. Through service our hope is to explore the many ways in which youth can become connected and aware of the need for Gods work in our community.

Projects will vary throughout the year. Check calendars and newsletter updates for upcoming service/mission projects!

“So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.” Galatians 6: 10

Service and Mission organizations we will be working with in the next year:

Montgomery Village: A non-profit childcare center that accommodates children from infants to 5^th grade. Website: http://www.myvillagecdc.com

FISH Food Pantry: Located off Weisgarber Road, youth will occasionally pack food for delivery to families in need.

FISH Hospitality Pantry: A larger version of the Weisgarber pantry located in downtown Knoxville. Website: http://www.fishpantry.org/index.php

Knoxville Area Rescue Missions: This ministry offers food, shelter, and assistance to needy families and individuals in Knox County. Over the year, there are many opportunities to help this ministry.

Website: http://www.kintera.org/site/c.iqLRI0OzGnF/b.3389603/k.BD98/Home.htm

Volunteer Ministry Center: Another ministry with the goal of giving a hand up to those struggling with poverty, addiction, and instability. Website: http://www.vmcknox.org/

Second Harvest Food Bank: This ministry targets those that are hungry in and around the Knoxville area. Website: http://www.secondharvestknox.org/

Mission of Hope: This ministry is REALLY AWESOME! Every year MOH holds a variety of events that help those inside and outside of our city limits. From packing backpacks for impoverished children of Appalachia to helping children in our own community experience a happy Holiday’s, their mission is clear; keeping hope for a better world alive!

Website: http://www.missionofhope.org

The Marcella Center: A center for the arts and education for the underprivileged people of the Sweetwater community. Career advise, music lessons, and crafts classes are only a few of the services offered at the Marcella Center. Service work here is still to be determined, but expect some creative construction and maintenance projects!

Website: http://marcellaweb.org/Marcella_homepage.html

Sunset Gap: This center is a place where youth can come to serve God in many ways! There are work camps available, as well as service opportunities in their store and food pantry. This is another ministry that will take us outside of Knoxville to the Cosby community.

Website: http://www.sunsetgap.org

Retreats

During the year there are opportunities for our youth to interact with youth from other congregations in our presbytery and beyond, such as the fall retreats for middle-schoolers and high-schoolers at our presbytery's own John Knox Center here in East Tennessee and the summer Montreat Youth Conference in North Carolina.

Youth Fall Retreats for 2008

W.A.M.S – Middle School retreat to Camp John Knox

When: October 3^rd- 5^th.

S.H.O.W. – High School retreat to Horn’s Creek

When: November 1^st and 2^nd.

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10/13/2008