Our Youth Group’s mission is to “Provide the youth of our church and community with regular opportunities to participate in Christian service and fellowship.”
Our Youth Group meets monthly, typically on the 2nd Sunday evening of the month from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in our Fellowship Hall. Each meeting has a time for community building, conversation, planning for upcoming events, and fellowship.
Service
Our Youth Group is involved in many service activities including:
- Crop Walk
- Serving meals at the Covenant Coup Kitchen in Willimantic
- Homeless Awareness Night
- Providing babysitting for children during the holidays
- Foodshare’s Walk Against HungerMonthly visits to a nursing home in Colchester
Mission Trips
The Youth Group goes on a mission trip every year. The location and length of the trip vary, but it is typically held over the April school vacation. Some of the places the Youth Group has gone include:
- H.O.M.E. (Homeworkers Organized for More Employment) in Orland, Maine
- Y.S.O.P. (Youth Service Opportunities Project) in Washington, D.C., New York City and Philadelphia, PA
- Urban Outreach and Mustard Seed Ministry in Boston, MA
- First Church Shelter, Cambridge, MA
- Urban Work Camp, Philadelphia, PA
- Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, MI
- UCC Disaster Recovery, New Orleans, LA
- Habitat for Humanity, Appalachia, West Virginia
Fellowship
In addition to fellowship at our monthly meetings, other fellowship activities include:
- Movie and Game Night
- Rock Climbing
- Pool Party
Fundraising
In order to support the meals we take to the Covenant Soup Kitchen, as well as our annual mission trips, the Youth Group participates in a few fundraisers during the year including:
- Grinder Sale on Children's Sunday
- Maple Festival Pudding Cake Sales with our Women’s Fellowship
- Mardi Gras Breakfast held before worship on the Sunday morning prior to the beginning of Lent
- Selling homemade dog treats at our annual Blessing of Animals
Youth Group
Gilead Congregational Church
United Church of Christ