Youth Group Leadership Transition
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” – Romans 15:7
For many years, we have developed meaningful relationships with the youth of our church through work and play, including:
- preparing and enjoying meals together;
- 13 years of Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) adventures (16 trips in total);
- 3 mission trips;
- Countless fundraisers (coffee houses, rummage sales, Valentine Dinners, BBQs, bake sales, and car washes);
- Many retreats; and
- Community volunteering (canoe race support, providing food at the vintage car show, yard clean-up for those in need, and adopt-a-highway pickup).
Through it all, we are most proud of our open door policy, creating a safe space to learn and grow not just for members, but welcoming everyone.
We feel blessed by the opportunity to serve as youth group leaders for so many years. There have been wonderful times, and frustrations, as there are in any family. It has been our pleasure to not only get to know the youth, but also their families. And we’ve been supported not only by the families of our youth but also by the greater church community through prayers and attendance at our many events. Thank you.
The August 2019 BWCA trip will end our tenure as youth group leaders. This decision was a very difficult one for each of us, and we have not taken it lightly. However, as our own children have grown, our families have multiplied, and it has been challenging to carve out the time we’d like to spend with our grown children and our quickly growing grandchildren. This is our season to prioritize time with our children and their families.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
As we transition out of leadership, we would like to encourage our church family — the youth, parents, and others — to prayerfully consider what role you might be called to in continuing the youth mission here. Thank you for the privilege of serving in this role. We hope it will be a blessing to others who may feel called to carry this work forward.
With love and gratitude,
Carmel, Janell and Bruce