Pastor
Katheryn C. Keene
508-832-3427
90 Bryn Mawr Avenue
Auburn, Massachusetts 01501
508 832-3427
Welcome to the Bethel Youth Group!
We hope that by describing many of the activities that we participate in, you will become interested in joining us. We are always looking for youth to join us, & for adults to assist in providing transportation, chaperoning, & leadership. It is also our hope that you’ll provide us with some feedback on how we could better serve together. If you have any suggestions, please put them in the Youth Mailbox, out in the Narthex.
The information that follows is subject to change based upon youth interest, leader and volunteer availability, etc. Activities and policies will be reviewed and revised as necessary. Copies of our current policies, emergency contact form and permission slip are available on the Youth Table in the Narthex or by logging on to www.iyouthconnect.org.
ACTIVITIES:
LIPY (Lutheran Inter-Parish Youth Group): Beginning in the fall of 2011, the Bethel Youth Group became involved with this Central Massachusetts group. This group is currently made up of 6 area Lutheran churches that meet once a month for fun, fellowship and service activities. These activities are now at the core of the Bethel Youth Group.
Ididarod: The youth attend a weekend retreat at Calumet in February, during school vacation. We leave the church at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, and return to the church by 4 p.m. on Sunday. We sleep in heated cabins. During the weekend we can go ice skating, tubing, or just relax near the fire in the Conference Center playing cards. On Saturday, most youth participate in the “Ididarod” sled race, where there are tasks to perform at stations along the route.
Hammonasset: Hammonasset is the New England Synod weekend, where youth from all over the region come to listen to a speaker, hear a live Christian band, and share fun and fellowship with one another. We leave on the Friday after Labor Day at 3:30 p.m. and arrive back (after attending worship on Sunday) at 4 p.m. Hammonasset is a State beach located on the Long Island Sound in Madison, Connecticut.
Game/Movie Nights: We hold various game and movie nights throughout the year. We join in board games and movies in the Youth Lounge, going mini golfing, bowling, going to the movies or anything else you can think of. Pizza or snacks are always available.
Mini-Golf - Ice Cream: Every July, after the Vacation Bible School “show”, the Youth Group goes over to Crystal Caves for a fun night of mini-golf & ice cream!
Ice Cream Socials: Twice a year we share in an evening of fellowship and ice cream. In September we welcome those new to the youth and continue planning for the year. In May we welcome in the “summer” season and start planning for the upcoming school year.
SERVICE ACTIVITIES:
Church Fair: On the first Saturday of November, the youth come together to support the Annual Church Fair, where they sell snacks & drinks at the Youth Table. Youth are always needed between the hours of 8 am and 3 pmto help at that table, as well as at many of the other tables, in the kitchen, or at set-up before & cleanup after the fair. It is a lot of fun to work at the fair!
Spring/Fall Raking: Youth participate in leaf clean-up one Saturday morning each Spring and Fall on the Church grounds.
Concordia: In November and March, the Youth Group gets together & goes to Concordia Lutheran Church in downtown Worcester. From about 5:15 - 8:15 p.m. on Friday, we bring, cook & serve supper to the neighborhood children who are between 4 and 14 years old. There is a “theme” each visit. If it’s “Crazy Hair Night”, we get to spray paint their hair (or ours!), & make their hair look funky! It is so much fun! We clean up after the meal & play with the kids, & it’s always a blast!
Care Packages: We support our troops, especially those who are members of Bethel, by preparing care packages of things that they need. These include toiletries (soaps, toothbrushes, deodorant, etc.) and also a note thanking them for all they do.
Mother’s Day Carnations: Youth Group volunteers pass out a carnation to every woman after each service on Mother’s Day.
Holiday Kid Watch: For Christmas and, we hold a day of fun for kids so that their parents can go Christmas shopping without the hassle of their kids. We plan games, crafts movies with a meal and snacks.
FUNDRAISERS:
Not only do we have FUN at the FUNdraisers, but if you work at them, you are entitled to discounts on some of our activities!
Super Bowl Sub Sale: On Super Bowl Sunday, the youth arrive at the Church by 7:30 a.m. to make sub sandwiches. Orders are taken in advance, sandwiches are made to order, and are ready to be picked up following each service.
Car Wash: Bethel has sponsored a child (“Jomil”) in the Philippines for over 8 years through Compassion International. Our support (about $506 a year) has made a real difference in his life, which we hear about in letters we receive from him. The Youth Group writes to Jomil 2-3 times each year. Beginning in 2011 we began holding a car wash to raise financial support & a special collection basket is on the table to receive donations towards the Congregation’s support of Jomil, located in the Narthex.