Youth

Youth are a vital part of Community Christian Church. Rather than being the church of the “future,” youth are recognized as contributing members, participating actively at all levels of congregational life. Youth are active as worship readers and as deacons, serving communion weekly.

Young people in middle school grades six through eight are welcome to join the Chi Rho group at Community Christian Church and many young church members bring friends to this fun group. Last year the group discussed “Miracles” and looked at many of the miracles described in the Bible, including watching a DVD on miracles and healing. Many lively discussions resulted!

Other activities of the group last year included a January sleepover at the church, a May trip to Cradle Beach Camp for a camp workday, and a summer outing to Darien Lake. The young people held their third annual fund-raising All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast at the church in the spring and decided to use the money and their time to support the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester. The youth decided to cook one evening at the Ronald McDonald House, where many ill children and their families stay. The group purchased over $100 worth of food, and cooked for about 50 people, making chicken parm, spaghetti and salad. Participants met with several of the children and were given a tour of the home by the director.

Youth events include:

• A youth retreat for those who had not yet participated in a confirmation/pastor’s class, facilitated by Rev. Lee Ann and our student pastor, Sonya Stauffer Kurtz on February 8-9.
• Monthly youth activities coordinated by Joyce Hunt, involving other adults from the congregation as needed. On March 7, Rev. Lee Ann will take the youth out for pizza and a movie.
• A possible “prayer-partner” program is under consideration in which adults will be matched up with a youth in order to support them in prayer, send them notes from time to time, and “check-in” occasionally just to see how (s)he is doing. (If you are an adult interested in serving in this way, please let Rev. Lee Ann know.)
• Christian Education will begin a new Teen Film Series in March! All teens were sent a link to an on-line survey asking them to share their thoughts about the program and favorite movie types. Stay tuned for a description of the first movie, scheduled to be viewed and discussed on the last Sunday of March. Contact Jennifer Michaels at optan @ rochester.rr.com for more information.