Youth Group

 

The Methodist Youth Group meets every other week from September through May of each year under the direction of Nancy Clayson and Jan Bishop.  All students in grades seven through twelve are invited to attend. 

 

This coming year we will be studying Peter the Disciple and we will be working on a workbook called “Is Anybody There?” (Reaching for a real relationship with God.)

 

 

September-November

 

These are busy months for us as we kick off some major community service projects:

·        Collecting food for needy families in the community

·        Help the United Methodist Women by serving the Past Commander’s dinner at the American Legion

·        Work on Operation Christmas Child boxes for Samaritan Purse, run by Franklin Graham

·        Deliver the food boxes and turkeys to the needy families

·        Skits were performed for elementary students at Hinsdale Central School on character traits

 

 

December

 

·        During this month the Youth will make Christmas cards for the residents of Underwood Manor, which they will distribute after singing Christmas carols.

·        The American Legion hosts a dinner for the Senior Citizens of Hinsdale and the Youth Group will serve and clean up.

·        Christmas for Community Children project – Through donations and help from Hinsdale Central School employees, we will provide  Christmas for needy children in our community.  (Last year we were able to help twelve families with forty-five children.)  We purchased, wrapped and delivered gift of clothes, toys, games, school supplies and books.

 

January-February

 

After a break for the holidays, we continue with our studies.  A lock-in is scheduled with movie, games, competitions and a community service project.  At this time we begin getting ready for the annual Snow Camp weekend at Circle C Ranch.

 

 

March

 

Snow Camp!  We attend Snow Camp at Circle C Ranch with other groups from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York.  Camp is awesome weekend jam-packed with all kinds of wild activities like roller skating, rock climbing, hot dog tubing, Lasertron, team competitions, movtivational speakers and awesome Chapel services.  This year’s theme was “Defying the Lie” based on Romans 12:2.

 

 

April-June

 

On April 19^th the Youth Group did a “spring” yard clean up for elderly residents that are unable to do it themselves.

 

May 2, the Youth Group teamed up with the Town of Hinsdale and did a road clean up.  We walked along four miles of Fay Hollow Road and picked up garbage.

 

On May 29 the Youth Group represented the Church, community and the school by participating in the 2009 Cattaraugus County Youth Summit.  The Youth Summit is an opportunity to recognize Cattaraugus County youth who are involved in community service.  Each group was asked to make a display of their service and do a presentation.  Our group’s presentation this year was based on the song, “What Kind of Love Is This?” by Phillips, Craig and Dean.  We did a skit based on the destruction of:  the love of money, alcohol, debt, abuse, drugs, sex, depression and suicide.  Only Christ can save us and give us all we need.

 

Katie Fitzpatrick was awarded the 2009 Penguin Award.  This award is given to a nominee that consistently and voluntarily serve and support others.  Participation in community service, going “above and beyond” to help others was part of the criteria.  Only ten awards are given for Cattaraugus County High School youths.  Congratulations Katie, you are well deserving!

 

The 2009 Adult Penguin Award went to Nancy Clayson.  The members of the youth group nominated Nancy for this award.  This award is given to an adult that shows dedication to youth and community service.  Congratulations Nancy!!!

 

The last meeting of the year is determined by the graduating seniors.  This year the seniors picked a family picnic.  The congregation and youth families were all invited to attend.  The picnic was held at the Community Park on Gile Hollow Road.  We played croquet, ladder golf and bocce ball.  The menu was hot dogs, macaroni salad, beans, chips, brownies and cookies.

 

Several of our members helped out the Youth Commission this past year with their movie nights at the Gile Hollow Park.  They helped bag snacks and entertained the young children with games while waiting for the movies to begin.

 

What a rewarding year, learning and serving the Lord!