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Our children are learning about Jesus’ first
miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana. We are playing
games, singing, cooking, and creating
art that helps the children to learn this story.
We are now divided into two groups since we are growing!
We have grades Kindergarten through 2nd and 3rd through 5th. If
you would like to help teach, please call the church at 967-2793
or email the Director of Christian Education at heather@southchurchucc.org.
We have a lot of fun!
Middle School Classes
The middle school youth meet twice a month for Sunday
school. This past week, we discussed “Why God lets bad things
happen.” We discussed what chaos looks like, how we make our
own choices through free will, but also what hope looks like and
that all things done in love can only create goodness.
All lessons come from the re:form curriculum, by Spark
House, Augsburg Fortress. It is a curriculum that teaches youth
in the way that they think, not just memorization of Bible stories.
If you have any questions about this curriculum, please
contact Heather at heather@southchurchucc.org or call the church
at 967-2793 on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Beginning on Sunday, March 3, a Confirmation class
will be offered to any interested youth, grades 8-12. This class
is a great chance for our youth to learn about our church history,
the history of the UCC, God, and how faith works in their lives.
The class will meet after church from 11:30-1:15 on the Sundays
listed below.
We will also discuss what it means to become a member
of South Church and invite your child to do so on May 19th. We will
work out of a workbook and also participate in some activities.
During this time, we ask that your youth attend church as often
as possible as well as join us for the classes.
The schedule is as follows:
March 3, 10, 17
April 7, 21, 28
May 5
Please call the church at 967-2793 or email the Director
of Christian Education at heather@southchurchucc.org if your child
will be attending.
It is not too early to consider Pilgrim Lodge summer
camp opportunities for your son/s and-or daughter/s. Located on
Lake Cobbosseecontee in West Gardner, these week long programs for
differing age groups are well organized and led; a program for our
youth from all over the state in our Maine Conference, United Church
of Christ. More information is on the downstairs hallway bulletin
board, large display, including a brochure you
can take home or at www.pilgrimlodge.org.
Financial assistance is available
again this year.
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High School Youth
Our high school youth meet twice a month
on Sunday evenings. This year, we will look for more leadership
from the youth as to activities and mission work that they would
like to do in the upcoming year.
Please ask your youth to contact Heather at heather@southchurchucc.org
if they will be attending. Thanks!
Our high school youth group served dinner to about 60 people
on October 24th at the Biddeford Soup Kitchen. While there, we
served dinner, washed dishes and cleaned the tables afterwards.
South Church has made the commitment of serving dinner on the
4th Wednesday of each month.
Middle School Youth
Our youth group will be going bowling this
month and will then help with a mission project next month. If
you know of a middle school youth who would like to join us, please
contact the Director of Christian Education at heather@southchurchucc.org.
H.O.M.E.
H.O.M.E. is a cooperative in Orland, ME, that is dedicated to
economic and social reconstruction. It includes a free health
clinic, homeless shelter, soup kitchen, food pantry, house construction
and much more.
On the weekend of November 9-11, 6 middle school youth and along
with our C.E. Director ventured to Orland, ME to H.O.M.E. There
are 5 homeless shelters, a thrift shop, and a food pantry located
on the property.
While we were there, we met with other youth leaders and middle
school youth from around the state. We volunteered our time putting
together wreath boxes and stacking firewood. We also served a
dinner to the area people in need. We played many games together
and laughed a lot. It was a fun time being with one another.
In October, our middle school youth spent a Sunday afternoon at
the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk. The youth wanted
to learn more about offering their time to the shelter in a volunteer
capacity. They brought with them our donation to the shelter which
included cat food and cat litter.
Our tour guide took us through the facility and shared the MANY
ways in which volunteers are needed, such as dog walking, laundry,
bake sales, help to organize a function, the list goes on.
Our youth were taken behind the scenes to see the newest arrivals
at the shelter who had not yet been evaluated. So many dogs and
cats! Did you know that they house around 400 cats at all times?
Our youth were feeling ready to take on some volunteer opportunities.
At the end of October, we enjoyed an evening at Pumpkinville
Farm in Dayton, exploring the corn maze by the light of the moon.
Afterwards, we enjoyed some hot chocolate and snacks together.
If your middle school child is interested in joining us for furture
activities, please contact Heather at heather@southchurchucc.org.
Caroline Stead has been our nursery care provider
for the last 10 years. She has decided to “retire” this
year to spend more time with her daughter and we are happy that
she is able to devote more time to her family. We have been blessed
to have her care for our youngest children every Sunday and wish
to thank her for her devotion to them.
The job of nursery care provider now falls under
the leadership of the Personnel Committe. Annie Kolff, another
of our nursery care providers this past year, has been asked to
be with our nursery children 2 Sundays a month. Loralie Mildner
is coordinating volunteers for the other 2 Sundays. If you are
interested in helping, please contact Loralie or call the church
office.
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