Posts tagged Youth
News for Abiding Youth

Hello, 7th-12th Grade Families,

I hope you all are doing well and staying safe.

This week Abiding Presence Youth Ministry will be kicking off our fall calendar. This week’s event schedule and the September calendar are below. Here’s a look at what is coming.

On Monday, September 21st 12 - 2 PM we will have our first-ever outdoor homeroom! Come to the church parking lot and bring your homework, laptops and/or whatever you need for asynchronous learning. We will have Wi-Fi in the parking lot so you can spread out and get some space or sit near your friends (8 ft apart of course).

On Friday, September 25th from 7 - 8:15 PM is Friday Night Lights! This is an event for students to come, have fun, play games, and be together as a youth group. This Friday we will be hanging out, playing games together, and talking about plans for the future. These will be happening ever 2nd and 4th Friday of the month.

Small Groups for 9th & 10th Graders and Abiding Fellows for 11th & 12th graders are opportunities for students to gather in small groups to connect at various times during the week.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas as we head into fall, please do not hesitate to be in touch.

Blessings,
Mr. Jon

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Abiding Presence Parent Survey

Abiding Presence is exploring new and creative ways to support your child's faith journey and mental and social well-being in this challenging time. Please help us plan for the fall by taking a moment to share with us what would be the most helpful ways for the church to support your family. This survey is geared toward parents of children ages newborn through college-age. Survey Link: https://forms.gle/5LsJ8Lzr3C5xed2L9

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NEW! Music & Arts Ministry for 4th-12th Graders

We want to help 4th-12th graders participate in music and arts this fall! We’re launching a new music and arts ministry that will offer the opportunity for physically-distanced ensembles/small-groups outdoors at the Abiding Presence church property, with precautions similar to this summer's youth group activities. If you have a 4th-12th grader interested in music, dance, art, creative writing, production, acting, etc., we have a place for them in an Abiding Presence small ensemble.

We are inviting families of 4th-12th graders to tap the link below and fill out a brief, one-page survey to help us gauge interest in each type of group activity: AP Music & Arts Interest Form for 4th-12th Graders (Fall 2020)

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Launching the "Abiding Fellows" Program for 11th & 12th Graders

For the past few years, Abiding Presence has been involved in the Log College Project. One of our “pandemic pivots” of our Log College Project grant is to launch “Abiding Fellows,” a fellowship program for 11th & 12th graders connected to the congregation. Building on the success of our summer college-age internship program, the “Abiding Fellows” ministry will provide a similar opportunity for our 11th & 12th graders. Read more about this new ministry program and/or apply at abidingpresence.net/abiding-fellows.

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The Storm Before the Calm

The phrase, “The storm before the calm,” usually goes the other way and is known as, "The calm before the storm.” I think for most of my life, however, it has been the latter. But, working at a church, the phrase being flipped feels very fitting in this period before Lent. With the start of the year now under our belts, that means falling into your normal routines and rhythms of life. However, I (and I have a hunch I am not alone) am spending a lot of time playing catch up. There is almost no time to spend enjoying the new year and trying to follow my new years resolution. The hustle and bustle of life gets to us so quickly. We become consumed so fast by work and life, that we push our resolutions to the side and fall back into our old habits. There is a hope on the horizon—yes, it is Jesus—and we can experience that hope simply by slowing down.

During Lent, we are called to take a look at what we can take off our plate and put onto our Lord’s plate, a plate that is never too full. I constantly look forward to this time when we are encouraged to slow down with one another and with the Lord, especially because we're all in it together. Doing this together with the whole church gives me strength and courage. When I see everyone slowing down and handing things over to God I am reminded that I am not supposed to be doing everything on my own.

I love this job and I love all the students and parents, but I am not the only one at work. If I am not leaving room for God to be at work, and asking God to take over things, then I am failing at my job.

That is where I find myself during the new year, trying to do everything and leaving God out of my work. Lent reminds me to do the opposite. The season of Lent reminds me to intentionally invite God into my work and my life. Not only does it slow me down and leave me more relaxed, but I also get to see how much better my work is when I invite God into it. When I take the time to invite God and listen to what God is saying, my work becomes filled with the Holy Spirit and the results are better than I could ever do on my own.

Let's get ahead of the storm, and begin practicing some aspects of Lent now. We don't have to take on the storm by ourselves.

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YMCoverGuest UserYouth
Daughter & VIP Dance

Sunday, February 16 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Bailey Hall

Join us for a memorable evening of fun and dancing at our 4th annual Daughter & Very Important Person (VIP) Dance. While this is geared towards 4th grade and younger girls and their favorite VIP, girls of all ages are invited. There will be music, dancing, desserts, drink, and a photo booth. Tickets are $12/couple and $6 for each additional girl.

Pre-registration at AbidingPresence.net/dance is highly encouraged as space is limited. Girls are welcome to dress as fancy as they want. VIPs are encouraged to wear dress clothes. Proceeds will support our Senior High Youth Work Trip to Philadelphia this summer.

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Registration Due Now for the 8th-12th Grade Work Trip this Summer

Early Bird Registration Due by December 4

This summer’s youth work trip will take us to Philadelphia, PA to serve with City Service Missions (CSM). The early bird registration was originally due December 1, but we are extending the deadline to Wednesday, December 4 in order to allow as many families as possible to take advantage of this discounted rate. Registration for the trip is now open and can be found here by scrolling down the page and clicking on the box "register for a trip." The $80 deposit can then be paid online here. If you need finanical assistance to make the trip possible for your student, please contact Pastor Keseley. We never want cost to keep a student from participating. If you have any questions, please contact Jon.

Who: current 8th-12th grade students

When: June 21-26, 2019

Where: Philadelphia, PA with City Service Missions (CSM)

Cost: $275 (if registered before Dec. 4), $350 (if registered before Feb. 1) or $400 any time after (Financial assistance is always available, so just talk with Pastor Keseley if that would be helpful)

Here are further details:

We will attend worship together at the 8:45 a.m. service on Sunday morning, June 21, and then leave immediately following the service. We will come Friday night, June 26.

While in Philadelphia we will be staying in CSM's housing. There will be shared sleeping (multiple rooms with bunk beds, and leaders will be separate from  students) and bathroom facilities in accordance with our child protection policy.

We will be working for a group called City Service Missions (CSM), which is a short term mission organization that partners with local ministries, food pantries, summer camp and other great organizations. CSM works to give churches an opportunity to help partner with organizations in ways that allows the ministry to keep going after we are gone. It will be an amazing trip where we get to do some hard work, meet amazing people, experience life in the city, and eat delicious ethnic food. 

During the week we are serving we will visit two community partner sites every day. We will go to one in the morning, take a lunch break and then visit the second site. At the end of the day we will have dinner at a local ethnic restaurant (Indian, Mexican, Vietnamese, Cuban, Middle Eastern, etc.). The night ends with a team debriefing. One day we will have free to explore Old Town Philadelphia where the famous Liberty Bell is located!

An $80 deposit is due at the time of registration, which will be credited toward the total cost of the trip. Please fill out the registration online and then pay the deposit either electronically through the church website here or bring a check to church. The trip cost is inclusive of all costs except meals during travel and incidental expenses. The total per student cost of the trip, including travel, is much more than we are asking families to pay. We will have several fundraising events leading up to the trip in which we will ask the students and families to participate.

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YMENewsGuest UserYouth
An Advent Message

Hello Abiding Presence 7th-12th Grade Families,

I am excited for this Advent season, especially because Michelle and I get to celebrate it with our newfound church family. In the past, the Advent season has been something to which I have looked forward. Instead, I’ve always wanted to just jump ahead to Christmas. Now I am seeing your amazing Advent traditions and the scripture lessons that fill this season and I cannot wait to follow along. I am finding it exciting to be able to be part of something that is larger than me, that has been going on longer than me and that I will have the chance to do in community. I want to invite you to please come alongside me and teach me all about your Advent traditions. Michelle and I are especially looking forward to lighting the wreath we made together!  

We have had a terrific fall launching Youth Group on Sunday evenings. Thank you to all of the adults who have stepped up to help make this ministry possible and to the families who have provided meals. Our Christmas party on Sunday, December 15 will be the last youth group for 2019. We will start back up in 2020 on Sunday, February 9. This is a pretty big gap, but fear not! We will still have worship and Sunday School as usual on Sunday mornings throughout the month of January. Plus, we are planning a special event in January. When Youth Group launches in 2020, we will be asking the questions, “What is the Bible? What does the Bible mean for me?” I know that this is a question we have all asked and that our youth are certainly asking. I am more than excited for this series!

Blessings,
Jon Gladames-Henry
Youth & Young Adult Minister
jon@abidingpresence.net

 

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YMCoverMeredith KeseleyYouth, Jon
Screening of "Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety in Youth"

Tuesday, November 19 at 7:00 p.m.

Anxiety is something many of us struggle with, including many of our children. How can we understand, identify and help youth manage anxiety? Where do we turn for resources and help?

Angst is a short documentary designed to raise awareness around anxiety. The film includes interviews with kids, teens, educators, experts, parents and Olympic champion Michael Phelps.

Check out the preview below for more information and join us for a screening of the film on November 18 at 7:00 p.m. Come early and join us for a free pizza dinner at 6:00 p.m. Childcare for ages 5-9 will be provided for those who register.

Following the film, there will be an expert panel from our community to answer your questions and offer resources.

Register here and contact Pastor Heidi with any questions.

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Family Support Partners Now Available at Abiding Presence!

Family Support Partners from NAMI-Northern Virginia are now available to meet with parents at Abiding Presence! Family Support Partners are available at Abiding Presence on a walk-in basis at the following times: Tuesdays, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. and Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Family Support Partner services are confidential and open to all in the community. Contact Pastor Heidi with any questions or for more information!

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7th-12th Grade Youth Group Information Night

Wednesday, July 31 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Mr. Jon, our new Youth & Family Minister, is excited to meet all of our 7th-12th grade youth and families. We will be grilling burgers and hot dogs while Mr. Jon talks to parents and students about the new youth ministry program. Bring your 7-12th graders, a side dish or dessert, and that is all that you’ll need. The night will start at 6pm and end around 8pm. Feel free to email Jon with any questions or to RSVP. Look forward to seeing you there!

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Meredith KeseleyYouth
Youth Choir & Band Nats Game Outing!

As of the end of the school year, rising 6th graders are now officially eligible to participate in Youth Band and Youth Choir at Abiding Presence! To officially welcome them to the groups (and just for a super-fun thing to do together!) we're going to a Washington Nationals home game vs. the Atlanta Braves at 1:35pm on Sunday, July 22.

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A New and Exciting Opportunity

What if youth ministry was more than youth group? What if churches built youth ministry not just for young people, but with young people? What if youth ministry became a construction site: a place where young and old work together to survey, build and reflect the kingdom of God in their local community? These are the questions being asked by Princeton Seminary as they launch a new initiative called the Log College Project, in which Abiding Presence has been chosen to participate. I am excited for our congregation to learn, grow and discern alongside 53 other churches of various denominations from around the country.

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FUNdrive for Abiding Presence Youth

Do you have unwanted clothes and household items, but no time to have a yard sale? Here's a way to clean out all that stuff and help send our 13 Senior High youth and 3 chaperones to Houston for the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering. 

Bag up your unwanted items and drop them off in the Abiding Presence Narthex anytime between May 25th and June 3rd. The following items in good, clean condition are accepted: Clothing, Accessories (hats, belts, scarves, etc.), Shoes, Linens, Books and Small Household items. 

Every item donated turns into money to help send the kids of Abiding Presence to Houston. We've partnered with the company FUNdrive who will pay us per pound of items collected.

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Meredith KeseleyYouth
ELCA Youth Gathering Investors Needed!

Abiding Presence is sending 13 senior high youth and three adult chaperones to the ELCA Youth Gathering in Huston, TX this summer. 

We're looking for members of the congregation to invest in our youth by providing financial contributions to make the Youth Gathering experience possible. The youth have made up their own "start-up company," APSOF, which is the acronym for Abiding Presence Seeds of Faith. The “start-up company “ The idea is to invite the congregation to invest in this company (i.e. the youth!) in order to help them raise money so that they can experience the ELCA Youth Gathering. The APSOF initial public offering (IPO) launched at the Abiding Table on Youth Sunday with much excitement and a price of $25 per share. For more information you can read the APSOF prospectus, visit the display in the church narthex or talk with one of the teens that is planning to attend.

Donations can be made online or by taking an envelope from the display in the narthex. 

Check out the video put together to tell the story of why investing in our youth to attend the ELCA Youth Gathering is something important for the church to be about. 

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Meredith KeseleyYouth