Hello, First Community Youth Ministry!

Important Dates

• Jan. 7: First Community Members can register for Camp Akita 2023; Deadline to register for the Mexico Mission Trip.
• Jan. 8: Crossroads resumes at 6 pm!
• Jan. 11: Heart-to-Heart resumes. Sign up to volunteer in 2023.

More

• Adopt-a-Family & our "Crossroads Bake-Off" were awesome!
• Flower Fundraiser continues!
• LGBTQ+ Advocacy Group, 1/12/23

Camp Akita 2023

FC Members: Register January 7 at 9 am!

Camp Akita registration begins tomorrow.⁠ Members of First Community Church can register beginning January 7 at 9 am. If you are a member of First Community, please plan to register during the priority registration period (January 7 – 20).

Not a member of First Community? Open Registration (for non-members) begins January 21.⁠

Learn more here:

Mexico Mission Trip 2023 

March 14 - 22

Grades 9-12 are invited to a life-changing experience. Work hard during the day, then camp out under the stars at night. Build relationships with a family, then hand over the keys to their new home. The Mexico Mission Trip invites high schoolers to expand global perspectives, become immersed in a new culture, and think deeply about our call to serve. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Registration deadline is January 7. If you're planning to attend, please register! If you're considering attending, but want more information, please reply to this email!

Participant Meeting on Sunday at 12:30 pm. There is a meeting for participants and parents on Sunday at 12:30 pm in the Crossroads Room.

In the meantime, check out our website dedicated to the trip:

Crossroads

Sundays, 6 - 7 pm

North (3777 Dublin Rd.)

Crossroads resumes on Sunday, January 8. 

Join us to reunite after two weeks away! We'll regroup this Sunday and discuss New Years Resolutions. How (and why) do we make resolutions? What do we want to give up (or take up) in the new year? How can our church community be a source of support, encouragement, and connection as we enter 2023?

Starting January 15, we'll begin a series called Be The Church. Based on the United Church of Christ sign seen in our entryways, we'll look at each element of the sign and discuss what it means for our lives and faith by hearing from clergy, church staff, and other guest speakers. Stay tuned for the full schedule!

Here's the plan for this Sunday:

• Meet in the Crossroads Room. Enter through the main Sanctuary doors. Leaders will guide you to the big room with couches.
• Full-group gathering. Jimmy and Sarah will introduce our activity with a game and short message.
• Small group time. We'll split into small groups to discuss, create, and complete a guided activity together.
• Come together. As always, we'll end with a short closing prayer!

Youth Volunteering at Heart to Heart

Wednesdays, 5 - 6:30 pm

South (1320 Cambridge Blvd.)

Volunteering at Heart to Heart resumes on Wednesday, January 11. Sign up now!

Who can get involved? Anyone in grades 6-12 is welcome to serve with us! Middle school parents: we strongly encourage you to attend with your child the first time they volunteer at Heart to Heart. Once they get to know the tasks, they're welcome to come on their own!

Required: Minor Waiver. All participants under 18 must bring a waiver the first time you volunteer. Click here to find the Minor Waiver.

Required: Sign-Up. Spots are limited for each Wednesday evening and signing up is required. Click below to sign up! Note: if you are signing up yourself and your child, be sure to occupy two volunteer spots.

MORE IN YOUTH MINISTRY

Crossroads

Recent Photos

Adopt-a-Family was a huge success! We bought gifts for 21 individuals from 5 families. Thank you for participating and for donating to make this fun project possible!

Our "Great Crossroads Bake-Off" was hilarious and fun! Small groups shaped, baked, and decorated cookies to impress our "judges," Jimmy and Sarah. Fun was had by all!

Thanks for a great year at Crossroads in 2022!

Purchase Now!

Flower-a-Month Club Fundraiser 

$75 for a year of flowers

We are continuing to raise money through our Flower-a-Month Fundraiser! Your purchase will support the Mexico Mission Trip.

First Community’s Youth Ministry is partnering with Bloomtastic Florist in Upper Arlington to raise money for our upcoming youth mission projects. Funds raised will support Adopt-a-Family and the Mexico Mission Trip.

How does it work?

For $75, you purchase a Flower-a-Month Club Membership Card through Bloomtastic Florist (2136 Arlington Ave). Redeem your first bouquet this month, or wait as long as you’d like to begin (this makes for a great gift!). Once you redeem your first bouquet, your membership is active for 12 consecutive months.

How does our Youth Ministry benefit?

For each $75 membership card purchased, our Youth Ministry receives $25. Additional donations will go directly to our Youth Ministry.

How will the funds be used?

Funds will support the 2023 Mexico Mission Trip. High schoolers, college students, and adults will return to Mexico for our annual house-building trip. This life-changing trip will allow our young people to expand global perspectives and put faith into action.

New!

LGBTQ+ Advocacy Group

Thursday, January 12

FC North

6 pm

Join us for a gathering place to discuss LGBTQ+ advocacy and pride-related activities. High schoolers are welcome to join this group as well as parents, friends, and allies of the LGBTQ+ community!

MORE AT FIRST COMMUNITY

More Ways to Get Involved

For Families

• How to talk with your child about faith. Julie Richards created a very approachable and helpful guide. This will likely become a glossy pamphlet, but for now, take advantage of this great info!

Events

Find out what's going on in the life of our church:

• This month's newsletter: December firstnews
• Special Advent Newsletter

I look forward to getting to know our amazing group of youth (and their families) better and better as time goes on. Please let me know if you have any questions in the meantime by replying to this email. I'd love to chat with you!

In faith,

Sarah

Rev. Sarah C. Kientz

Minister to Youth and Camp Akita

First Community | Where Everyone Is Accepted

3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, Ohio 43221

she/her 

skientz@fcchurch.com | sarah@campakita.org

FCchurch.com | CampAkita.org

Important Resources

Need some extra support? Use these resources or reply to this email. I can provide conversation and referrals.

Suicide Lifeline. In immediate danger? Call 911. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has a new number: call 988. It provides free and confidential support for you or your loved ones. Learn more about local suicide prevention resources through Nationwide Children's Suicide Prevention.

Mental Health Crises. The Franklin County Youth Psychiatric Crisis Line provides 24/7 services for non-life-threatening crises. Ages 17 and under: (614) 722-1800; 18 and older: (614) 276-CARE (2273). Learn more about local mental health resources through Nationwide Children's Crisis Services.

Domestic Violence & Teen Dating Abuse. In immediate danger? Call 911. For domestic violence resources, visit thehotline.org. Young people who have concerns about their relationships can text 22522 or visit loveisrespect.org.

LGBTQ+ Support. The Trevor Project provides affirming resources for LGBTQ+ youth and families. Text START to 678-678. In crisis, feeling suicidal, or need a judgement-free space to talk? Call the TrevorLifeline at 1-866-488-7386.

Sexual Health Resources. Nationwide Children's Hospital provides a program called AwkTalk, free videos that help parents discuss sexual health, puberty, and healthy relationships. Each video is less than 10 minutes, provides medically accurate information, and can be viewed at any time.