Though we are in a transition time between youth directors, we are happy to share that we will be continuing to offer robust programming for high school youth this school year. If you are interested in helping with any of our high school youth programming by serving as an adult volunteer, please reach out to Pastor Allison. We would very much appreciate your support!
High School Youth Group
Youth Group will resume on Sunday, Sep 13. The September schedule will be:
· Sunday, September 13, 11 am: Congregation-wide Fall Kick-Off event, followed by the first day of Youth Group. We will begin with middle and high school students together to nominate a youth representative to serve on the Council. Then, the middle schoolers will return to the library while the high schoolers begin to make plans for the year. Pastor Allison will facilitate.
· Sunday, September 20, 11 am: Youth Group Brainstorming. This will be a day of brainstorming what qualities we’d like to see in a new youth director and what we’d like to do as a group this year. Pastor Allison will facilitate.
· Sunday, September 27, 11 am: West Side Youth Collective Info Session for Parents and Students. Pastor Jess Putland will lead. See below for more info.
West Side Youth Collective
The West Side Youth Collective is a one-year-old ecumenical youth group for middle and high school students, led by Pastor-Organizer Jess Putland of Together Lab’s Youth Solidarity Movement. This year, St. Andrew will be joining Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran, Christ United Methodist Church, Hillsboro United Church of Christ, and Valley Presbyterian in taking part in this youth collective. Activities include bimonthly gatherings on Sunday afternoons, service projects, justice and solidarity work, two overnight retreats, and social/fun events. There is a student and parent info session on Sunday, September 27, at 11 am in the youth room with Pastor Jess to learn more about this.
ELCA National Youth Gathering
The 2027 ELCA National Youth Gathering is scheduled for June 27-July 3 in Minneapolis, MN. We will be collaborating with the other West Side Youth Collective churches (including those who are not ELCA!) to travel to Minneapolis together as a large group.
Thanks to all our youth for their participation and to those who support them! Please reach out to Pastor Allison with questions.