Youth News: November 2024

This Months’ Confirmation Classes:

November 10 @ St Luke Gilbertsville (Retreat attendees are exempt!)

November 27 @ St James Pottstown

Upper Montgomery Conference Youth Group/Youth Nights 2024-25

Our October Upper Montgomery Conference Youth Night was really fun! I’m so grateful for those who attended, they were willing to be silly and insightful!

As you can see from our name, I am collaborating youth activities with the same congregations that participate in our Confirmation program plus the youth at Grace Lutheran in Royersford. Our October meeting was attended by youth from 4 congregations ranging from grade 6 - 12!

We’ll be using a similar format of rotating around different locations — some may even be offsite at other venues! Our meetings are planned for the third Sunday of each month through May (except April which is Easter Sunday). We’ll incorporate games, songs, devotions and service projects throughout the year.

Our next Youth Night will be held on November 17 at 5PM to 7PM. Our plan was to have a campfire at St Luke Lutheran in Gilbertsville, but our communities are currently under a Burn Ban notice which will affect the “campfire” portion of the evening. However, we’re still moving ahead with the plans, just using safer methods to make our hot dogs and S’mores!

Service Project: St. Luke Community Clothing Rack

We will sort and hang clothes. Teens are invited to bring gently used and clean winter clothes for donation. Winter only please. Clothing Rack could really use children’s clothes, but we will accept all sizes. Encourage youth to clean out their closets and drawers. Items can be dropped off at Janet’s office at St James in advance.

Fall Youth Retreat!

I’m so excited about our Youth Retreat this weekend! Please keep our event in your prayers, that we remain safe and have a wonderful experience.

Advent & Christmas 2024

Each year we invite our youth to host one of the Christmas Eve services. We will hold a worship planning meeting for all youth grades 6-12 and tree decorating party on November 24th at 4PM. This is a Confirmation class day at St James in Pottstown, so we’re providing a short window for travel and a reset. I’d like to provide dinner and Christmas cookies. Please reach out if you’d like to assist! We’ll arrange a time that keeps this in consideration.) The Youth Led Worship is at 9PM on Christmas Eve.

2025 Activities

I’m looking ahead at several opportunities in the New Year and next summer! Not all of these events have details, but stay tuned for more information in our upcoming newsletters and emails.

  • Box City Youth Event - March 22 at New Hanover Lutheran Church (registration opens January)

  • Tuscarora Youth Retreat - April 4-6 at Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center, Bethel PA (registration opens December 1)

  • Vacation Bible School - July 7-10

  • Youth/Young Adult/Adult Mission Trip - July 13-19 (tentative). Possible locations: a Lutheran Christian Camp in NC affected by recent hurricanes or an ASP trip in the Appalachia region (again affected by hurricanes).

Janet Hilsmier