Joy’s Youth Program has had an eventful and memorable year full of growth, new traditions, and intentional steps toward building an even stronger program. This year, we launched a student leadership team that helps plan activities, create relevant small group topics, and lead activities and discussions when needed. Because of their insight and involvement, we’ve seen an increase in weekly Sunday attendance—from 12 students last year to 16 students this year. We even have two new youth mentors who have joined us: Mark Hermann and Luke Lenning!
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In hopes of continuing to expand our youth program, we began meeting monthly with our youth mentors, student leadership team, and a consultant. Our youth have shared thoughtful and meaningful feedback, and our consultant plans to visit the youth group in April to offer additional in-person guidance. Our goal as a team is to make youth group a safe, comfortable, and exciting place that students want to return to week after week. We hope they form trusting relationships, grow in their understanding of God’s love for them, and know that Joy will always be a place they can return to—even after they graduate high school.
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Here’s a quick recap of some highlights from the past year:

• We introduced new service opportunities this year, including packing lunches for PADS & making communion bread for our congregation (Thanks, Kristi Bowman, for teaching us how to make the bread!).
• We brought back our first Silent Auction since 2019. We raised $8,500 thanks to your generous support. Pastor Mark and I could not have pulled it off without our amazing team: Kate Schenk, Margie Burba, and Laura Shamberg
• Twelve regular youth group members served this June at VBS, with one youth stepping up to coordinate and lead one of our stations.
• Pastor Mark, Maddie Lenning, and I took 12 students to Loveland, CO, for our mission trip in July, where they served in local stores, food pantries, nursing homes, and camps.
• We hosted a bake sale to raise funds for our upcoming mission trip to Cincinnati this summer, raising $1,500.
• We celebrated Halloween at Pastor Mark’s house with games, his light show, and, of course, lots of food!
• We celebrated Friendsgiving together with plenty of chicken, side dishes, and time spent reflecting on all that we’re grateful for.
• Following tradition, we wrapped up the year with an ugly sweater and white elephant holiday party!       

   
All of these fun and meaningful opportunities wouldn’t be possible without the support of all of you and our wonderful youth mentors. Thank you for everything!

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