An Exciting New Year in Youth Ministry
We’ve had a fantastic summer in BMPC’s youth ministry: a transformative pilgrimage to Taizé, France, and a joy-filled week at the Montreat Summer Youth Conference in the mountains of western North Carolina. Now school is back — or almost back — for all of us. The end of summer is always a little bittersweet, but there’s plenty to be excited about in the year ahead!
First up:
Rita’s! On Wednesday, September 2, at 5:30 p.m., I’m buying Rita’s for any youth in grades 6–12 who want to come celebrate the start of the year. Come meet me at the Rita’s in Bryn Mawr for one last summer treat — and a chance to kick off a great year together.
And there’s even more coming:
We’re expanding our ongoing mission opportunities for young people, because serving others shouldn’t be something we do only for one week each summer. We’ll visit Gemma Services on October 4, November 1, and throughout the year to spend time with vulnerable young people living in Gemma’s residential programs. BMPC youth don’t need to arrive with special skills or a perfect plan. They can simply show up, make friends, and share their gifts through sports, academics, the arts, and — most importantly — their willingness to be themselves.
We’re continuing our gender-based programs for 6th–9th graders, creating space for candid conversations about the messages we receive — especially online — about what it means to be masculine or feminine. Burgers & Root Beers and Matcha & Mahjong are opportunities to have some fun, be ourselves, and talk honestly with caring adults about the pressures young people are navigating. The first gathering is October 5.
Something new on Wednesday nights. Starting September 16, we’re launching a new weekly fellowship program for 4th–7th graders. This is a chance for young people in late elementary and middle school to have fun, learn, grow, and build community together as they make the transition from children’s ministry to youth ministry.
At the same time, Student Serve is getting a new focus for 8th–12th graders. We’ll ask big questions, dig deeper into Scripture and theology, and explore what it means to grow as leaders — not just in the church, but in the world around us.
It’s going to be a great year in youth ministry. Yes, saying goodbye to summer is a bummer. But there’s a lot to look forward to. See you at Rita’s on September 2 — and at all the great things to come!