Important Youth Ministry Updates
Regarding Covid-19

It has been nearly two years since our church and world began facing an unprecedented moment in history working together to make the safest decisions regarding the spread of Covid-19. Your families have been incredibly flexible and adaptable as we make continually make decisions as Covid-19 rises and declines. Thank you for remaining positive and focused on serving the youth of Mt. Zion regardless of the current situation.

We are currently in the middle of a renewed level of Covid-19 spread in our community. Since Christmas Eve, Cobb County has seen more new cases of Covid-19 than at any point since March 2020. The clergy and lay leadership of Mt. Zion has been in communication with one another to take some next steps in order to do our part in helping get past the curve of this particular moment.

Please regard each update below:

MLK Winter Retreat

The MLK Winter Retreat scheduled for January 14-17 will be postponed. It is my hope that we will be able to find time in our schedule this summer or fall to reschedule this retreat. All pumpkins funds requests will be returned to your original account to be used for a rescheduled retreat or different retreat. Any funds that you have paid money towards this retreat with a check or online can be requested for reimbursement or applied towards a future retreat. Please contact Montana Hamby to request a refund or apply funds towards a different retreat.

Confirmation Retreat and Spiritual Life Retreat

At this time we do not anticipate changes to these retreats. You can register your student for either of them in this week's newsletter. Please register by January 15 to pay the early price of $135. RSVP for the Confirmation Retreat to help us know how many spots to reserve. Please register for SLR as soon as possible to ensure that we have enough planning to attend to continue planning on attending.

March 4-6, 2022

March 25-27, 2022

Wednesday Night Programming

The church leadership has determined to bump back our return to Wednesday night dinners and programming at the beginning of February. Our Wednesday night small groups will follow the lead of our greater church programming and do the same. Wednesday night small groups are currently scheduled to return on February 2.

Sunday School and Confirmation

Sunday School and Confirmation will continue to meet as scheduled on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am.

Sunday Night Youth Group

Due to the postponement of our Winter Retreat, we will gather for Sunday Night Youth Group from 5 - 7 pm on January 16.
11:00 Traditional Service
Acolyte Sign Ups
We are excited for our acolytes to participate in our the 11:00 service.

Our goal is to include three acolytes for each 11:00 service, but we can make due with two or even just one! All students 6th - 12th grade are welcome to acolyte!
Sign up below!

All acolytes should plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to service time for
your instructions!
Confirmation 2022
Class Meets at 10:00
Youth Area
We are excited to invite any 7th, 8th, or 9th graders who have not completed Confirmation yet to join this year's Confirmation Class.

 Confirmation classes meet at 10:00 am during the Sunday School hour in the Youth Area.

Please take a moment to RSVP for the upcoming March Confirmation retreat or register. RSVP by January 15 to lock in the $135 registration fee.
Find Out How You Can Get Involved With Mt. Zion Youth Ministries!
Have you ever considered all the different ways that you can serve alongside the students of Mt. Zion UMC? There is guaranteed to be a place for every adult to find an opportunity to build relationships with the members of our Youth Ministry.

Did you know that statistics indicate that students who have five dedicated Christian adults actively participating in their life will have a higher success rate of maintaining their faith into college?

Our biggest needs include:

Middle School Boys Small Group Leader - Adult male volunteer who can commit to spending Wednesday evenings with a small group of guys. Time includes short devotion and ability to let them be energized.

Sunday School Teachers - Leaders who can commit to a rotation-based schedule of teaching middle school or high school students. Curriculum varies depending on interest and topic, and can be adapted for whoever needs it!

If you are interested in leading a small group on Wednesday nights, please contact Montana Hamby at montana.hamby@mtzionumc.org.
Check Out All The Information You Might Have Missed!
Are you excited about the beginning of a new school year with the Youth Ministry of Mt. Zion UMC? Take a look at everything we have planned for Fall 2021!
What's Happening with Mt. Zion Youth Ministries?

January 16 - No Confirmation Class
January 16 - Sunday Night Youth Group - 5 - 7 pm
February 2 - Wednesday Night Connect Returns - 6 - 7:15 pm
February 6 - Sunday Night Youth - 5 - 7 pm
February 9 - Wednesday Night Connect - 6 - 7:15 pm
February 16 - Wednesday Night Connect - 6 - 7:15 pm
February 20 - Sunday Night Youth - 5 - 7 pm
February 23 - Wednesday Night Connect - 6 - 7:15 pm
March 4-6 - Confirmation Retreat