Bethlehem Youth Group

NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...
February:  Pre-HS Youth Group Winter Retreat at Koinonia (2/10-12) leaves from LES at 4pm on Friday 2/10; and our Young Adults Group (21+) has a Brunch after church service (2/19).  

This July several members of our Youth Group will be going to the annual ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans LA (7/18-22) -- stay tuned to find out how you can help them attend. 
   

A growing part of our ministry is to address the special needs of our younger members.  Our Sunday School children have a nurturing experience every Sunday, but as children grow older and more independent they enter a no less important stage in their development -- one that Bethlehem is addressing with age appropriate activities that maintain a growing child's interest in our community and help them grow into healthy adults. 

Our Youth group has grown and now has three sections to address the needs and interests of all ages -- a Pre-High School, High School, and in 2010 we added a Young Adults (21+) group, which already numbers more than 20 members.   We provide a healthy outlet through monthly meetings, events and community service activities -- the Bethlehem Youth Organization is one of our fastest growing ministries. 

Here are just a few of the activities of our Bethlehem Youth (check regarding any age restrictions on activities):

Pre-HS 2011-2012 Calendar:
Jan 29: Joy Room activities
Feb 18-20: Koinonia Weekend Retreat
Mar 27: Trip to NY Aquarium
Apr: No meeting
May 22: Joy Room activities
Jun: No schedule for this month
Jul 22: Brooklyn Cyclones game
Sep 30: Joy Room activities & planning mtg.
Oct: TBA
Nov 13: Lunch & Movie
Dec 11: Christmas Caroling
Feb 10-12: Koinonia Weekend Retreat

HS/College 2011-2012 Calendar:
Jan 21: Joy Room activities
Feb 4-6: Koinonia Weekend Retreat
Mar 20: Joy Room activities
Apr: No meeting
May 21: Koinonia Volunteer Work Day
Jul 22: Brooklyn Cyclones game
Sep 23: Joy Room activities & planning mtg.
Oct 2: TBA
Nov 6: Marathon of Prayer + Praise breakfast preparation
Dec 11: Christmas Caroling
Jan 27-29: Koinonia Weekend Retreat
Feb: No events

Young Adults 2011-2012 Calendar:
Jan 22: Ice skating in Bryant Park
Feb 27: Brunch (12:00pm)
Mar 26: Work at Zion Lutheran Church's Soup Kitchen (9:30am)
Apr 16: Joy Room activities
May 28: Baking for 5/29 Coffee Hour
Jun 17: Dinner
Jul 29: An Evening in Coney Island
Sep 18: BBQ & planning mtg.
Oct 14: Halloween Costume Party
Dec 16: Christmas Cards to members of the armed services
Jan 27: Game Night
Feb 19: Brunch

Pre-HS: Pre-High School (grades 5-8, including Confirmation class)
HS: High School (grades 8-12)
Young Adults: Age 21+

Congregation Coordinators: Lisa Brown (Pre-HS), Elaine Swiontak (HS), Holly Goldstein (Young Adults 21+). 

Koinonia: Located in Highland Lake, New York, this year-round camp is the perfect setting for our weekend retreats, Summer Camp and Advent weekends, which all take place on Koinonia's 1,200 acre forested location in the Catskill Mountains.

Special Events: Everyone comes out to march in the annual Norwegian Independence Day parade.

For more information call Victoria Hofmo at 718-748-3624.

Youth Room

Our Youth Room in the Parsonage now features a pool table, ping pong, wide-screen HDTV, DVD, darts, and much more.  Youth Nites are held regularly, so check the schedule or Calendar.

Sunday School

Children over the age of 3 are welcome at our 9:15 a.m. Sunday School held just prior to services (except during summer).  Crafts, activities and lessons are melded into an enjoyable experience that is both educational and reassuring.  The children are shown God's love and join the congregation for a portion of the regular service.  Meet at our Lutheran Elementary School.