Hello, First Community Youth Ministry!

This Week

• Sunday, March 5: Mexico Mission Trip Commissioning at 11 am; Crossroads at 6 pm.
• Monday, March 6: Help unload the trick for H2H, 3:30 - 5 pm. Sign up to volunteer.
• Wednesday, March 8: Heart-to-Heart at 5 pm. Sign up to volunteer.

Upcoming

• Block of Wood Confirmation Class (Sundays in April). Grades 9-12 can register now!

Ongoing

• Register for Camp Akita 2023.
• Write letters or donate in support of the Mexico Mission Trip.
• Flower Fundraiser continues!

Crossroads

Sundays, 6 pm

North (3777 Dublin Rd.)

We are in the midst of a series called Be The Church based on our UCC sign seen here. Each Sunday, we'll look at a different element of the sign and discuss what it means for our lives and faith.

This Sunday, we will hear from Rev. Mary Kate Buchanan on "Share Earthly & Spiritual Resources." Mary Kate is our Minister of Pastoral Care. She will lead us in a discussion on what it means to share with one another, even if it's "just" our presence!

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!

Crossroads Spring Schedule

Mark your calendars for our class topics from now until our final Crossroads on May 7. Note the days we do not have Crossroads (March 19 & April 9).

• March 5: "Share Earthly & Spiritual Resources" with Rev. Mary Kate Buchanan
• March 12: "Love God" with Rev. Glen Miles
• March 19: No Crossroads; Mexico Mission Trip
• March 26: Lent & Holy Week Study, Part 1
• April 2: Lent & Holy Week Study, Part 2
• April 9: No Crossroads; Easter Sunday
• April 16: Crossroads (topic TBD) & Block of Wood Class (see below)
• April 23: Crossroads (topic TBD) & Block of Wood Class (see below)
• April 30: Crossroads (topic TBD) & Block of Wood Class (see below)
• May 7: Final Crossroads of the Year! Pizza party!

Help unload a shipment at Heart to Heart

Monday, March 6, 3:30 - 5 pm

South (1320 Cambridge Blvd.)

The Mid-Ohio Food Bank (MOFB) is dropping off 5,000 pounds of food at Heart to Heart this Monday. We're looking for folks to help out! Interested? Sign up at the link below and spread the word!

Scroll down to March 6 and select "MOFB Order Unloading":

Volunteer at Heart to Heart

Youth Volunteering at Heart to Heart

Wednesdays, 5 - 6:30 pm

South (1320 Cambridge Blvd.)

Join us each Wednesday to help prepare grocery bags for the clients at Heart to Heart Food Pantry!

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.

Support the Mexico Mission Trip 

Our team of 35 participants is heading to Mexico on March 14! We are looking for your support in three ways:

1. Attend the Mexico Mission Trip Commissioning this Sunday. During the 11 am worship service on Sunday, March 5, we will give a special blessing to those attending the trip. Come support your friends!

2. Write letters of encouragement to members of the trip. One morning of the trip, participants will receive letters from home. Write to your favorite participant, due March 10! These can be dropped off at the church or emailed. Find all the info (including a list of participants) at the link below; after you click, scroll down for letters info.

3. Donate in support of the trip. We continue to seek monetary donations for the trip. You can purchase a Flower-a-Month-Club membership (see below) or donate directly to the trip.

BLOCK OF WOOD CONFIRMATION 2023

Block of Wood Confirmation

Grades 9 - 12

High school students (grades 9-12) are invited to join our 2023 Block of Wood Confirmation class! Together, we will discuss the value of a faith community, hear from speakers on First Community's history and theology, and spend time thinking about personal faith. At the end of the class, participants will be Confirmed as members of First Community Church. 

Block of Wood Confirmation has two parts:

Part One

Block of Wood Confirmation Class

Sundays, April 16, 23, and 30

6 – 7 pm

First Community North

Block of Wood Confirmation Classes will be held at First Community North from 6 - 7 pm on the following dates. Classes will occur during ur regular Crossroads youth programming time; Block of Wood participants will come to Crossroads, then split off for these separate classes. Participants must attend all 3 classes to be eligible for Confirmation. If you anticipate missing classes, please let us know so we can follow up with you.

• Sunday, April 16: Why “belong” to a church? What is Confirmation?
• Sunday, April 23: Why this denomination? What do we believe?
• Sunday, April 30: Why First Community? Who are we as a church?

Part Two

Block of Wood Confirmation Sunday

Sunday, May 7, 11 am (arrive by 10 am)

First Community North

Block of Wood Confirmation Sunday is the special service of worship in which you will be Confirmed as members of First Community. Family and friends are welcome to attend the service, which begins at 11 am; note that participants must arrive at First Community North by 10 am.

Required!

Register by March 26

Registration is required. Note that participants must be in 9th grade or older to participate. Please register by Sunday, March 26. Questions in the meantime? Please reply to this email! I look forward to having you as part of Confirmation Class!

ONGOING

Camp Akita 2023

Register now for Summer 2023! Registration is now open for our summer programs at Camp Akita. Click below to register!

Camp Akita Staff 2023. Know a college-age person who would make a great Counselor? We're seeking staff for camp this summer! Reply to this email or visit the link below to learn more.

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.

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: March firstnews

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.