Youth and Family Ministry (5th grade - 9th grade)

YOW (Youth on Wednesday Nights) is the main focus of Youth and Family Ministry. Our YOW program takes place from 6:00-7:30pm.

Pre-Confirmation (grades 5-6) and Confirmation (grades 7-9) are embedded within YOW. Both programs are designed to encourage faith formation and exploration through small and large group discussions, community dinners, experiential learning opportunities and service and fellowship events.

 

Youth are welcome to attend Family Ministry events even if they do not attend YOW.


Registration Form for YOW


YOW Schedule 2024-2025

We hope that your youth in grades 5-9 will be a part of Messiah’s religious education program. All youth are welcome and encouraged to join us on Wednesday nights for YOW or Youth on Wednesday Nights. Preconfirmation is for youth in grades 5-6 and confirmation is for youth in grades 7-9. The program encompasses a hybrid model of online lessons, in-person activity nights, fellowship activities, and several field trips/experiential learning opportunities throughout the course of the academic year.

All youth participate in the activity nights together while online lessons are during specific times for students in preconfirmation and confirmation. More details are listed below.

 

A time, a plan, a place (your home and at church!): YOW encompasses both Preconfirmation and Confirmation.

 Preconfirmation is a two-year program for 5th and 6thgraders focused on Old and New Testament people of faith.

 

Confirmation is a three-year program for 7th-9th graders focused on the Small Catechism with an emphasis on the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles’ Creed.

 

Staying Connected & Being Together


YOW is a relational ministry. Building relationships and connecting with the youth is key to encouraging faith formation and exploration. We have had much success with a hybrid model of zoom lessons (Zoom invite info will be provided) along with in-person activity nights and community field trips and fellowship events.

 

Preconfirmation meets 6-6:45 p.m. for Zoom lessons

 Confirmation meets 7-7:45 p.m. for Zoom lessons

 

Activity Nights and Field Trips


Activity Nights and field trips are for both programs from 6-7:30 p.m. On activity nights we begin with dinner at 6:00 p.m. On field trip nights we will hand out a snack before departing.

 

Online Quizzes: Youth will complete an online quiz with each online lesson. A link will be provided in the chat during the lesson to a google form for the quiz.


On the Journey Together
Preconfirmation lessons focus on Old and New Testament bible stories and important people of faith. Confirmation lessons focus on the Small Catechism and will center on the Ten Commandments and making a life in Christ in community.

 

Creativity is the Holy Spirit at work! Doodling, journaling, and art projects are built in to each lesson to keep hands busy, so hearts and minds can be open during discussion time.


Family Potluck on October 2


Please join us for a family potluck on Wednesday October 2 from 6-7:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to discuss the year and expectations for how your youth can be involved. Sign up what you are bringing at Potluck Sign Up

YOW Retreat: November 16-17 at Bethel Horizons


We are headed to Bethel Horizons in Dodgeville for a YOW retreat. We will stay in the Barn Retreat Center. The overnight will be full of group activities, hikes, a service project, art and nature activities, food and fun!

Bibles:  Please let Teresa know if you need a bible and one will be provided to you.


Joan E. Shropshire Educational Grant

This fund has been created in memory of Joan E. Shropshire, who passed away July 18, 2015.

The Joan E. Shropshire Education Grant Fund has been created to provide a one-time educational assistance grant for those students pursuing higher education from an accredited college, university or technical school commencing in the fall of 2017. Messiah Lutheran Church administers this fund. Messiah Lutheran Church council officers will be designated to administer the Education Fund. The Messiah Executive Committee of the church council on an annual basis will determine the availability of grant monies to be distributed to potential applicants. This program may be amended, suspended and/or terminated on the advice of the church council.

 

Click Here for Complete Guidelines Click Here for Grant Application
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