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Youth Ministry Announcements

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Read This News First...

Youth Web Page Is Major Source of Youth News

Both to cut costs on paper mailings, but also to communicate more easily in the way most youth connect, the Youth Ministry Program will place more emphasis on the church web page to announce Youth Group activities and deadlines for mission work trips.  Youth and Parents are encouraged to check the Youth Group web page frequently for the latest in youth activities. 

We are also utilizing youth and parent e-mails through a group list as well.  Please make sure the Church Office has you current e-mail, phone and cell phone numbers.  Remember to update the church list if you change your e-mail!

The Youth Bulletin Board in Parish Hall is another good source of information on youth activities.  Forms and the youth schedule are in the youth boxes on the wall.

Upcoming Youth activities...

Check the Youth Bulletin Board for up-to-the-minute sign-up sheets and details on Youth Group activities.  Often, following worship, there is a youth table for discussion and sign-up for future events.  Drop by...

Looking back at the Recent Past...

July 2010: 

Friday, July 2nd-Saturday, July 10th the Youth REACH Mission WorkCamp took place in Warrenton, VA as our youth and advisors helped build relationships and renovate homes for the elderly, the poor, and persons with disabilities.  Thank you to all for their mission work on behalf of all of us at WPC!

June 2010: 

Saturday, June 19th the youth provided hospitality for the Montauk Bike-A-Thon.

Sunday, June 6th the youth led worship with Youth Sunday on the theme: "The Greatest Gift."

May 2010: 

Friday, May 7th the youth held the Youth Mission Auction as a fund-raiser for REACH.  The doors for the Chinese Auction and Silent Auction opened at 6:30 PM and the Auction began at 8:00 PM.  Youth served goodies and $2,000.00 was raised to support the REACH Youth Mission WorkCamp.

Friday, May 16th the combined Youth Groups met to complete work on the bird-houses.  Plans for Youth Sunday were also explored.

April 2010: 

Sunday, April 11th the youth welcomed the New Youth Ministry Coordinator Cassie Dayton during worship and enjoyed cake with her at a special reception.  Youth also attended The Music Man at the High School Auditorium as a group, enjoying seeing so many of the youth from High School Youth Group in the musical.

Cassie Dayton is WPC's new Youth Ministry Coordinator! 

A special reception was held following worship Sunday, April 11th to welcome her. 

Cassie cut the first slice and all enjoyed celebrating the start of her ministry with our youth!

Friday, April 16th the High School Youth Group and those attending REACH met for the first Friday night Youth Group Activity.  Preparations for the Youth Mission Auction were set and Cassie Dayton was introduced and she shared a little of the context of the Warrenton, VA location of the REACH WorkCamp this summer.

Sunday, April 18th the Confirmation/Parent/Mentor Brunch was held following worship with the Confirmands and their Families meeting their Mentors over brunch.  Following the Brunch, the Confirmands and their Mentors had a special activity together ending up in Bailey Hall for crafts.

Sunday, April 25th the MS & HS groups met separately as they planned the Middle School Retreat at Holmes and continued preparations for the YOUTH Mission Auction on Friday, May 7th. 

Friday, April 30th- Sunday, May 2nd the Confirmation Class 2010 and the Middle School Youth Group left parents behind as the Church Bus left the Parking Lot for Holmes Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center in Holmes, NY for the Retreat on the theme: Whose Praise Is It Anyway?  The eight WPC youth and Chaperons Gail and Mark Klepper will return refreshed from the youth worship experience on Sunday afternoon, May 2nd.  

March 2010: 

Sunday, March 7th and March 14th, 2009, the Youth Groups joined together in painting bird houses for sale at the Youth Mission Auction on Friday, May 7th.  This fun and crafty project resulted in bird-houses of many colors!

Friday, March 19--Saturday, March 20, the Confirmation Class 2010 spent the weekend at the “Discovering Whose We Are” Retreat at Camp DeWolfe led by Gail and Mark Klepper and Pastor Peter.  The Confirmation Class met again on Sunday, March 21st and then they joined the youth attending the Lenten Festival.  Combined Youth Groups met again that afternoon for the Mission Activity at Westhampton Care Center.

February 2010: 

Sunday, February 7th, 2009, the Youth Groups sold soup following worship as a benefit to raise money for The Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday.  The Youth Groups got together on Saturday evening and made the delicious homemade soup.  All donations (canned goods included) will go to the Westhampton Food Pantry to help fight local community hunger!  Great work youth!  And thanks to all who helped by purchasing soup and bringing in canned goods!

Sunday, February 28th, 2009, the Youth Groups participated in the Mission project at Westhampton Care Center, developing relationships with residents as they assisted them in the game of Bingo.

Sunday, February 28th, 2009, was also Scouting Sunday as girl and boy scouts and their leaders participated and were recognized in Sunday worship.  Thanks to the youth for their leadership in worship!  Congratulations to the boy scout organization as it celebrated 100 years of service to youth.

January 2010: 

Sunday, January 10th, 2009, the Youth Family Pot Luck Supper took place as plans for the Winter and Spring were discussed.  The REACH Trip is on in July.  Make plans now!  Watch for the registration form.

December 2009: 

Sunday, December 6th, 2009, the Middle School Youth Group and High School Youth Groups participated after worship in the Annual Advent Festival with a Youth Craft Table.

Sunday, December 6th, 2009, the Youth and Youth Parents led The All Church Christmas Carolling.e  They first started wrapping cookies to give to those to whom we sang.  Then, went caroling around the area, ending at Westhampton Care Center and caroling for several groups.  All then returned to Bailey Hall for delicious home-made soups, breads and cookies.

November 2009:

Help us fill Thanksgiving Baskets!

"Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds!"

The Youth Ministry held its Annual Food Drive for the Deacon's Thanksgiving Baskets at Waldbaum's on Sunday, November 15th.

More photos of the food drive below under the "Looking Back...." in November.

The Youth Ministry collected food to help fill the Thanksgiving Baskets put together each year by the Deacons to help those less fortunate.  Here are some photos of the fun the Middle and High School youth had as they collected the food on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at the Waldbaum's store.

Happening Sunday, November 1st, 2009

YOUTH MEETING: NOVEMBER FIRST

Middle School: 4:00 - 5:30pm

High School Youth- Invited too!

H.S. & REACH Participants: 5:30 - 7:00pm

4:00 - 5:30pm... SHOPPING TRIP... College Care Packages. We will take the church bus to BJ's, to purchase goodies- to pack &/or bake, for our college care packages. Let's show our graduates we still remember them, and care about their success! High school youth are welcome to join us. Permission slips will be available at 4:00. Bus departs at 4:15pm. Return by 5:30.

HARVEST Dinner... Thursday, November 12th

Not in town? ALL former REACH Participants...

Please send pictures of any REACH WorkCamp you attended. And, prepare a brief statement about your experience. In addition to the slide show, we are preparing posters of the 12+ years WPC has participated. Your support is greatly appreciated!

October 2009:

Fright-Fest / Lock-In with “Spooky Walk” Was Lots of Fun!!

The Fright-Fest/Lock-In for all youth was held Saturday, October 24th!  They met in Bailey Hall at 5:00 pm for Pizza, went to the “Spooky Walk” at Camp Paquatuck in Center Moriches, returned to church 9:30 PM for a frightful evening of activities at the church. 

Youth Walk in Annual CROP Walk...

Youth walked to raise money to fight hunger!  The one thing that was different this year from other years is the CROP Walk did not go through lovely Quiogue and Westhampton Beach on a beautiful Sunday afternoon!  It rained; we walked around the sanctuary, through Parish Hall, down through Bailey Hall and the Choir Room, back upstairs to the sanctuary and we did the circle two more times!  The annual CROP Walk, sponsored by the East End Presbyterian Parish in conjunction with other East End congregations was held on Sunday, October 18, immediately following worship and a lunch will follow in Parish Hall.  All funds collected are used to combat hunger abroad and in our community. 

September 2009:

Welcome to Gail and Mark Klepper--Our New Youth Ministry Coordinators!!

Dear Middle and High School Youth and their Parents!

It is my great pleasure to announce that Gail and Mark Klepper have agreed to serve as Westhampton Presbyterian Church’s new Youth Coordinators working with the Session’s Youth Ministries.

At the Session Meeting Tuesday evening, Elder Hanna Manker reported for the Personnel Committee that Gail and Mark Klepper have agreed to serve in this important ministry to our youth and their families.  Mark and Gail are no strangers to our congregation—both have served as Elders as well as many other leadership roles.  Most recently, Gail served with Pastor Peter leading the Confirmation Class 2009.  Their two daughters—Jennifer, now teaching in San Diego and, Alyssa, in college—were active and gained much spiritually and personally from the Youth Ministry.  Gail and Mark both have a deep desire and commitment to ensure our Youth Ministries continues to nurture and challenge our youth with motivating activities. 

Session is very excited Gail and Mark are stepping into this new leadership role and believes the whole congregation—and especially the youth—is blessed to have their leadership as we begin this year’s activities.

Please join me in welcoming Youth Coordinators Gail and Mark Klepper at the Youth Family Pot-Luck Barbeque this Sunday, September 20^th, from 4:30-6:30 PM.  All middle and high school youth, with parents and family members are invited.  The main meal—hamburgers/veggie burgers/hot dogs—and beverages will be provided by the Youth Ministry.  Bring your calendar, and a side-dish or dessert to share!  We would like to have at least one parent present to hear what we talk about at the “family meeting.”

We will meet in Bailey Hall for this annual fall meeting of youth and parents to review/highlight planned youth events from September through January and adjust the schedule.  Mark and Gail look forward to the opportunity to discuss new ideas and talk about ways to ensure youth group is the best it can be for everyone!  We look forward to this year’s Youth Ministry Program under the leadership of new Youth Coordinators Gail and Mark Klepper.

July 2009:

WPC Memorial Scholarships Applications Available

Memorial Scholarship applications are now available in the Church Office.  The deadline for applying is July 15^th after which the Memorial Scholarship Committee will meet to review the applications and dispense the monies.  Pick up your application now!

REACH WORKCAMPERS Have Successful Summer!!!

While most of us were still sleeping in on Friday, July 3rd, REACH WorkCampers were up packing the Church Bus and the van and preparing to leave for Niagara Falls, NY, where they spent the 4th of July watching fireworks over the falls and then began their Mission Work Trip renovating and repairing homes for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and the poor in the Niagara Falls area.  Our appreciation and gratitude to them for sharing their life and offering a faith-filled journey as they demonstrated God’s love to the community around them.

Youth Go on Mission Trip to Niagara Falls—Our 11^th REACH Trip

The 11^th REACH Youth Mission Trip leaves the Westhampton Presbyterian Church parking lot at 5:30 AM on Friday, July 3^rd for Niagara Falls, NY, and will return on Saturday, July 11^th. 

Fifteen youth and four advisors—a total of 19—will participate this summer.  All were commissioned on Sunday, June 28^th, during the 10:15 AM worship.

The fifteen youth include: Michael Baird, Gregory Campos, Kristina Carter, Julia Christ, Alec Christ, Joanna DeLeon, Gil Frevert, Elizabeth Moore, Kayley O’Brien, Hector Perez, Matthew Sulzinski, Mara Terchunian, Christian Tureski, Robert Tureski, and Meigan Yuen.  Four are attending this year for their first time.  The Leadership for the trip include Gordon and Pat Hubbard with Assistant leaders Jessica Czachur and Kyle Miller.

They will enjoy some group building time with some fun activities at Niagara Falls before beginning their “hard labor” as they join several hundred other youth in repairing roofs, building decks, painting houses, restoring rooms, and other construction projects and activities for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and the poor.  Each year they develop close relationships with the folks whose homes they repair as well as deepening relationships with each other and making new relationships with other participants.

June 2009:

Habitat for Humanity Workday took place on Saturday June 6th

The church is sponsoring a workday with Habitat on Saturday, June 6, 2009 right here in Westhampton. It was a great opportunity to warm up your carpentry skills (for those of you attending REACH this year).  More importantly, it was also a chance to show off your love for God and your community with an expression of peace through hands on involvement in YOUR neighborhood.

REACH Mission WorkCamp Commissioning took place on Sunday June 28th

Youth and leadership for the 11the Annual REACH Youth Mission WorkCamp were commissioned on Sunday, June 28th during the 10:15 AM worship.  The group will depart the WPC parking lot on July 3rd for Niagara Falls, NY, where they will renovate and repair homes for the elderly, persons with disabilities and the poor.  Prayer partners have been selected for each participant.

May 2009:

Confirmation Class 2009 Confirmed on the Day of Pentecost -- May 31st

The Confirmation Class 2009 met with the Session on Tuesday, May 12th, at the Session Confirmation Dinner and were examined and questioned for Church Membership.  The six youth presented their Personal Faith Statements and Session members gave them words of encouragement and experience.  On the Day of Pentecost--May 31st--our youth joined the church during the worship surrounded by red balloons and with a wonderful cake during the fellowship time.  Thanks to all who supported the youth on their faith journey to confirmation and who celebrated with them!

Pictured above are the Confirmation Class 2009, left to right: Matthew Sulzinski, Timothy Shea, Dineen O'Rourke, Taylor Jenkins, Elizabeth Moore, and, (after Mentor/Sponsor Russ Babis), Christian Tureski.  Their journey began with a Confirmation Discovery Breakfast held on Sunday, March 3rd  at 8:00 am in Bailey Hall where Pastor Peter and Gail Klepper explained the confirmation process, requirements, schedule and all enjoyed breakfast together.  Confirmation classes began on Sunday, March 8th with a Confirmation Retreat at Camp de Wolf on the theme "Discovering Whose We Are."  Classes and the final retreat at Holmes Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center May 1-3 on the them "Is God in Your Five?" continued until Confirmation Day, Sunday, May 31st, the Day of Pentecost!

This year the Session has appointed Mentor/Sponsors for each Confirmand.  The Mentor/Sponsor will be a sponsor and mentor to their Confirmand throughout the next year, developing a on-going relationship with the youth and being available for questions as well as encouraging the youth in their membership.  The following have been appointed by Session as the Mentor/Sponsors: Linni Deihl (Taylor Jenkins), Lise Frielinghaus (Elizabeth Moore), Holly Hubbard (Dineen O'Rourke), Matt Hoge (Timothy Shea), Corey Williams (Matthew Sulzinski), and Russ Babis (Christian Tureski). 

Our congratulations and welcome to our newest members!

Want to know more?  

Please call the Church Office at 288-2576 with any questions about the Youth Ministry Program.