Youth News

Breathe With Me

As I'm writing this blog post, my mind is SWIRLING with plans for our Good Soil event on May 1, where we'll plant our first ever community garden at Holy Cross. The gardens are in boxes in my living room, my husband is downtown picking up our soil, I'm making plans with volunteers and other staff members to help assemble the gardens, and there are tomatoes and peppers growing mightily in my church office window - things are happening, and by mid summer we will be feeding our community with fresh vegetables! This ministry is exciting and important, as we work together to literally feed God's people through our new community garden and our food pantry. Feeding people is important work. 

But here's my question - are you feeding yourself? How are you being fed? Today, I am feeling overwhelmed, tired, busy - my head is spinning. Recognizing that I can't do everything by myself and asking for help is a way to feed myself. Spending time in prayer or meditation is a way to feed myself. Letting others help is a way of being fed. Have you ever heard the phrase "You can't pour from an empty cup?" We can't feed others, if we are not fed. Take time to check in with yourself. Make sure you are slowing down, taking care of yourself, and feeding yourself with God's grace, love, rest, and renewal. 

Relax, and find your breath. When you're ready, breathe with me:

Inhale: When my soul is tired,

Exhale: Spirit, fill me with God's grace.

Repeat that breath prayer as many times as you would like. End your meditation time with one long inhale and one extra long exhale. 

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”

-John 14: 16-17

Confirmation

Thank you for a wonderful year of Confirmation! We are excited to see you in the fall - Mark your calendars for Wednesday September 7th!

Easter Breakfast

THANK YOU to all the students (and parents) who helped with the Easter Breakfast! We had just enough food, and ended up pulling out three extra tables for people to sit! The breakfast raised just over $900 for our summer trips, and we are so thankful for the generosity of our congregation!

Confirmation Sunday

On Sunday May 22nd, Annabelle Kreber and Addison Krueger will have the opportunity to say YES to their baptismal promises. Please plan to join us on the 22nd to support them!

Senior Recognition Sunday

Sunday May 15th, we will recognize and celebrate Allie Schnack, Peter Sukstorf and Madison Wajda as our Senior Class of 2022. Mark your calendars for this important milestone celebration!

Junior High Road Trip 2022

We are so excited to be headed to Kansas City for a few days of FUN in June! We'll spend a day at Worlds of Fun, do some service learning work, and a little bit of sightseeing! Contact Kelsey for a registration form and info!

Mid Week Coffee Break - Starting May 18th!

Since Youth Group is over, I want to make sure there are still opportunities for High School Youth to gather and connect. So, our Midweek Coffee Break is starting up again!! Every Wednesday starting May 18th and throughout the summer, David Wellsandt & I will be hanging out at Scooter's Coffee on 156th & Maple from 2:00-4:00(ish) pm. Stop by for a cup of coffee or smoothie (on me!) and say hi! 

High School Summer Road Trip

Incoming 9th graders through current seniors are invited on our 2022 High School Summer Road Trip to Oklahoma City, OK July 24-28, 2022. We will spend our time together doing service learning work, sightseeing, learning, and having fun! Cost is $350, with a $150 due with registration paperwork. Contact Kelsey for the registration form and info!

Summer Opportunities

If you are a Senior in high school and are looking for a meaningful, fun way to spend your summer - consider being a Camp Hand at Carol Joy Holling Camp! Check out more about the opportunity by clicking HERE.

If you are any age of high school student, and wouldn't mind getting away for a week to enjoy God's creation - check out all of the Carol Joy Holling summer camp opportunities for high school age youth HERE.