YOUTH COMMITTEE - 2006

Members: Cathy Booth, Michele DiGiacomo, Catherine Wallace, Marcia Caronia, Carol Weisman, Dulcie and Meredith McLeod, B4ecky & Emily Wagenhauser.   Supporting Members of the Youth Committee are Shirley Russell, Sue Henchey, Janet Vollkommer and Jeannine Rosengrant.

Co-Chairs: Cathy Booth and Michele DiGiacomo

The mission of the Youth Committee is to develop the faith of the young people of our church by offering and promoting four basic concepts: Faith Learned, Faith Practiced, Faith Expressed, and Faith in Action.  It is our hope that through these offerings and participation that young people will continue to follow, serve, seek and proclaim their faith as they continue to grow in our church family.  The YOuth Committee offers a colorful brochure, titled Youth News 2006/2007, which further describes the concepts listed above.  This take home brochure, for your review, is located on the youth bulletin board, outside the main office.

The Youth Committee would like to acknowledge and thank Christophe and Anne Theunissen, Marcia Caronia and Ted Klug for their prior support and assistance in teaching 7th and 8th grade.  Their time and commitment with the Westminster Program was truly appreciated.

the 2006/2007 Westminster Program had a wonderful and fresh beginning.  This year we had decided on a team teaching approach, combining 7th and 8th grades.  This decision was made in October resulting from small class sizes , as well as, some difficulty in staffing each class for the year.  The curriculum for both classes is the same as well.

The Youth Committee is excited about the team teaching approach, as each of the teachers on the team will bring their own talents and uniqueness to the class.  The classes have run smoothly and the feed back from staff, parents and children have been positive. It has been reported that class participation has been spectacular.  This is a true sign of learning.  Our team teachers include Cathy Booth, Marcia Caronia, Sue Henchey, Jeannine Rosengrant, and Janet Vollkommer.

Fun, Food and Faith is a two hour program based on a particular theme, and is offered to 7th, 8th, and 9th grades.  the joint events provide an enjoyable way to explore what it means to develop a Christian way of life.  A thematic approach is used.  Games, crafts, video clips, discussion, food, and worship are included to assist the youth in exploring how we practice our faith in different areas of our life.  These events take place on occasional Wednesday evenings.

In addition to the Fun, Food and Faith program, the following events were offered the youth (7th -12th grades) in the 2006 year:

A combined youth event with the Deer Park Youth Group, including dinner, volleyball and a creative panel discussion with "

GOD"!!

In-door Rock Climbing, which continues to be enthusiastically attended

The development and presentation of the Sunrise Easter Service

The Annual Beach Clean-up, continually growing each year as we acknowledge the need to be more vigilant in protecting the environment

The Past Kick-off Dinner including youth and their families.  All were entertained by the youth band, Destination Unknown, playing a variety of music including Christian Rock

A mission trip to Hope for the Future Ministries located in Farmingdale, preparing food for other soup kitchens

Another well attended event...The Sport Plus All-nighter, hosted by Youth for Christ.

The Youth Committee worked with youth to host a table at Preparing the Presence, which worked to maintain contact with our post graduate youth, wishing Christmas thoughts/Blessings and New Year greetings.  We encouraged youth to attend the Walking Tour of Campus at SUNY Stony Brook, sponsored by the Protestant Campus Ministry.  OUr committee also promoted and supported other related church programs such as the Book club, Adopt an Angel, and Christmas Caroling to the homebound.

Eighteen young people were confirmed at Pentecost and welcomed into the congregation.  They were prepared for confirmation by the assistance of Shirley Russell and Pastor Jimmy Hulsey.  the program also included a weekend retreat to Holmes.  The Confirmands' parents presented the confirmation dinner which was followed by a Vesper Service officiated by Associate Pastor, Catherine Wallace and assisted by Michele DiGiacomo.  The theme for the service was base around a beautiful quilt which was created by the confirmands as their visual interpretation and representation of the Holy Spirit.

We had a full, fun and active year.  The pace continues to pick up for 2007.  We are always ready to receive new members, young and old alike, to the Youth Committee.  If you have any interest or would just like to help or participate in an event, just give us a call.   We will be glad to hear from you.