NEWS & UPDATES December 2022

Our Youth Are Growing & Giving!

rise against hunger youth

Our youth volunteered at the churchwide Rise Against Hunger meal packing event on Nov 14th.

Local muralist, Lo'Vonia Parks, stopped by to lead the youth in their art service project on Nov 6th.

youth chalk chapel

Service According to Youth: Chalk the Chapel


What is joy? Is it the rustle of wind through leaves on a mountain? The sun beating down on a group of laughing friends? Or a capybara, eating bread in the mid afternoon glow? Our answer: all of these, and more. Two weeks ago, local artist Lo’Vonia Parks led us in brainstorming exercises as well as white board drawings to help us decide what joy means to us. And it meant so many things to so many different people. Eventually, we decided to combine those ideas together to form images within the word of “joy.” And that is what we chalked on the chapel — a collection of colors and bright lights to show what joy means to each and every one of us. Joy is unique, special, and universal, a thing that we all have and feel, but something that affects us in so many ways. - Eliza McClendon, 10th Grade Youth Participant

Tell us all the good things your youth has going on by emailing Rev. Tara at TGibbs@myersparkbaptist.org

Parent-Caregiver Event

Raising A Zoomer: Caregiver/Parent Event

Sunday, Dec 11 | 4pm-6pm (during youth block) | Shalom Hall


Raising a pre-teen or teen is not easy, but you don’t have to feel alone. You’re invited to join Rev. Tara and other youth ministry parents/caregivers for an open and honest dialogue on the challenges, the wins, and the questions that have come your way in this thing called parenting. Heavy appetizers will be served and conversation will remain confidential. Don’t miss an opportunity to connect with caregivers in similar situations, find local resources, and affirm the strong relationships you’re already building with your family.

Youth Winter Retreat 2023

Building @ the Beach


Join us for our annual youth winter retreat! Our custom built curriculum, "Beach Builders," explores the diversity of human identity to connect and affirm those identities through scripture, experience, and community. Youth will know that however they identify, God loves them, and that they are to love others by embracing their identities, not despite them. In short, this curriculum’s goal is for learners to end with this thought firmly in mind: God affirms our who we are, and we should do the same. Scholarships available; email Rev. Tara Gibbs (tgibbs@myersparkbaptist.org).

View the Brochure
Register Now

Holiday Party 2022

Annual Holiday Party


Join us at the Light the Knight Festival to celebrate the holiday season. Cost includes entrance, light show, ice skating and snow tubing. Bring extra funds for food/snacks, hot beverages, and holiday shopping!


Time: 4pm Drop Off | 7pm Pick Up

Place: Truist Baseball Field (324 S Mint Street, Charlotte, NC)

Cost: $20 per youth

*Event is outdoors so please dress accordingly

Register Now!
Learn More About the Festival

Winter Schedule

*subject to change*


December Theme

Happy Holidays

4pm Youth Block

Dec 4th & 11th


January Theme

Game On!

4pm Youth Block

Jan 22th & 29th

black family intergenerational

February Theme

Sharing Our Stories| Black History Month

4pm Youth Block


Mark Your Calendars

Dec 18th

Holiday Party @ Light the Knights (Register)


Dec 25th - Jan 15th

NO YOUTH BLOCK


Jan 14-16, 2023

Youth Winter Retreat (Register)


Jan 22, 2023

Weekly Youth Block Returns

Middle School Camps 2023

Massanetta Springs

Which is your preferred date for Middle School Camp 2023?
June 22-25
June 27-30
July 13-16
July 18-21
Parent/Caretaker Resources

New Resource List


Check out this growing list of resources to support you and your youth. From spiritual, to mental health, to just local fun, we are growing this list to be more helpful to you! You may also share resource suggestions with Rev. Tara by email.

Download Now

Teens & Tech


Despite the concerns that have been raised about teens’ experiences online, teens largely see the time they spend on social media in a neutral or positive light. Indeed, teens are more likely to say that social media has a mostly positive – rather than negative – effect on their lives. And majorities say social media makes them feel more connected with friends, more accepted, like they have a support network, and like they have a creative outlet.


Read More

Did You Know Seasonal Effective Disorder Affects Teens Too?

As winter approaches, some of us may experience the “winter blues” – feeling sad from shortening days, climbing into bed earlier and resenting waking up on dark mornings. That’s different than Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a term used to describe a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern.


Read More

Happy Birthday December Celebrants!


Happy Birthday!


Langley B

Anna B

Whit D

Anne K

Grant K

Questions, Comments, Concerns? Reach Out!

Candace Williamson (she/her)

Interim Youth Music Coordinator

Seth Pilz (he/they)

2022-23 Youth Ministry Intern

Rev. Tara Gibbs (she/her)

Associate Minister of Spiritual Growth

tgibbs@myersparkbaptist.org

Keep up with us on Social Media

Linktr.ee/MPBCYouth

@MPBCYouth

@MPBCYM

@MPBCYouth