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About the Zion Youth Group...
Zion Youth Group is a part of the Youth Ministry of Zion Lutheran Church. All teenagers in grades 7 through 12 are welcome. Our regular meeting night is the first Sunday of each month at 7:00 p.m., unless that Sunday falls on a holiday or holiday weekend. We have a "business" meeting each month, when we discuss upcoming plans and events, or make plans for things we want to do. We eat a lot of snacks. We also try to have some fun things to do after each meeting (games, skits, music, movies) and some serious stuff (sometimes called devotions) when we learn more about our faith. Youth Group is not just about "What's in it for me?" it is about "What can I share with others?" and "How can I grow in my faith?' - in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere.
In between monthly meetings, we have fun events (movie nights, parties, lock-ins, sports) and fundraising activities. We use the money we raise for trips such as the ELCA Youth Gathering in Atlanta and smaller trips like Niagara Falls. We also contribute a tithe of each fundraiser to a special program such as Your Neighbors, World Hunger and the Utica Food Bank. Sometimes we have special fundraisers just for a special cause and then 100% of the money is contributed.
The advisors are Mr. & Mrs. Blackburn (for 10 years!) Pastor Roger joins the group for most of their meetings and events. Other members of the Zion Youth Ministry team also support the group.
We have only a few requests for Youth who participate in Youth Group. We ask that you be on time for everything so that other people don't have to sit and wait for you. We ask that you treat your peers with the same respect that you want for yourself. We use the "ouch" rule - if someone says something that hurts you, say "ouch" - and they should apologize. When we are having discussion, we ask that you share one at a time so that everyone has a fair chance to speak and be heard. And last, HAVE FUN!
If you are interested in joining our youth group, please call the church office at 732-4110.
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Upcoming Current Youth Events:
Youth Group Kick-off---Attention all 7-12 Graders! We will kick-ff the new Youth Group year on Sunday, September 14th. We will meet at Church at 12 noon for a round of miniature golf followed by ice cream. We will also discuss what activities and events you would like to have during the new year. We will post an announcement with the golf venue and price on the Youth Group bulletin board by the main entrance at Zion.
Lost and Found Concert-- Syracuse University Campus Ministry is sponsoring a concert by the Christian band Lost and Found on Sunday, October 5th at 3 PM. The concert will be held in Hendricks Chapel on the SU Campus. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Tickets are available and we will be selling them after church during the month of September. We can meet at church and carpool to the concert. Lost and Found is a fun group that provides an important message through their music and interactions with the crowd. Check them out on the internet at www.speedwood.com This concert is open to youth of all ages.
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What Our Youth Did in 2007!
The Zion Youth Group provides our 7th through 12th graders for time to make friendships, participate in service activities and have fun in a caring, Christian atmosphere. All are welcome and encourage to attend our monthly meetings and all our activities.
The Youth Group served the community with our Souper Bowl Sunday collection that provided the Community Food Bank with 371 cans and packages of soup and $115 in donations. The youth also set up a Prayer Labyrinth in the Fellowship Hall as another way to raise awareness of world hunger issues. In March, Zion youth participated in the annual Central Crossroads Council Volleyball Marathon at Syracuse University. Funds raised went to SU Campus Ministries, the Band for MVLCC, flood victims from the summer of 2006 and the World Hunger Appeal. Over $5000 was raised by 160 youth and Thrivent provided $1600 in matching funds. Zion's small but energetic group raised $275! A tithe from the monies raised by the 2006 Bagel Run brought Zion's total contributions to $375.
Again, a number of youth volunteered their time to help out with Vacation Bible School in August. Members of the Youth Group continue to serve our congregation by participating in many of Zion's activities from acolytes, ushers, readers and choir to manning craft tables on Simple Gifts Sunday and teaching during our Christian Education time.
Our fundraising efforts continue to include dinners and car washes. Our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Bagel Run, along with our Pumpkin Pie Sale was held in November.
Our social events continue too. The Super Bowl Party, Christmas Party, bowling and miniature golf kept everyone busy.
As always, a special word of thanks goes out to the parents of our youth, who so willingly give of their time, share their homes for parties and drive us all over the area for our events. We are blessed to have such support, and we are blessed to have such a great group of kids at Zion. It is a joy working with with all the kids, past, present and future!
We also thank the members of Zion for your spiritual and financial support and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for their financial contibutions. Without all your help and prayers, we would not be able to do the things we do. Your words of encouragement and kindness to Zion's youth means so much. The Zion's family's support and that of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans of the Youth Group continues to be a true sign of Christ's love and caring.