The Youth Programs at Christ Lutheran Church are always and in all ways a very important component of our church. From our wonderful Sunday School which runs every Sunday at 9:15-10:30 for 3 year olds-6th grade. Children learn many ways to love God through classroom work, Christmas and Easter Pageants, music and friends.

Our Seventh and Eighth grade kids go to Confirmation class once or twice a month for their two year fulfillment. They meet for two hours, they talk, they pray, they learn and they eat a prepared dinner every time they get together! One of their favorite activities are the retreats they get to go on, it brings their ties to each other and to God even closer.

After receiving their confirmation one might choose to become a member of the Luther League dedicated to ninth through twelve grade. This age group is busy all the time. They meet Sunday afternoons usually every three weeks. They are also always planning something fun to do. Either a lock-in, movie night, scavenger hunt or a Murder Mystery Dinner. Once a year, every summer, they go on a trip together. Sometimes it is an adventure trip or it could be a service trip. Either way, they always have a blast.

All in all there is always something for the youth of CLC to do in our church. Why not stop by - any time of year - Breakfast with the Easter Bunny - Oktoberfest - Band Fest - Bowling - Pool Parties - Breakfast with Santa, the list is constantly growing. We have learned to love God, ourselves and our church family through the eyes of the children.

Youth Update for May 2008:

On Saturday mornings, my husband and I like to wake up early, quietly go downstairs and make a pot of coffee, we sit in the living room (A.K.A. the "Coffee room" as Emma has named it) and try to talk. Inevitably, one of our three kids, usually the seven year old, wakes up. Emma will come racing down the stairs and will throw herself into her fathers arms, spilling his coffee all over him and the "good" chair. With all the noise now going on in the living room, the dog meanders down the stairs to get a better look and decides it is time to do some tricks and beg for early morning bones. Dominic (13) now comes down the stairs rubbing his eyes and plops himself on the couch, in my spot of course, because I am on my hands and knees wiping up the spilled coffee. I keep wiping, the dog is now barking and my two children are arguing over pancakes or eggs and bacon. With that the 16 year old screams from her bedroom for us all to be quiet, for she is trying to sleep. DyAnne emerges minutes later and blames all of us for her lack of beauty sleep, but with the energy of a three year old in the park would like to know, "When is breakfast?" "Can you drive me and my friends to the mall?" "Can I have $40 for the mall?" "Where is my computer, phone, I-Pod", etc. etc. etc. This is my life! And I love every minute of it! With children in your life, there is no quiet time. Barely time to sit and talk about the necessities of life. That is what it is like with the children at CLC. Energy, Energy, Energy! Never a dull moment, never a weekend without children running around our church! The children of CLC are constantly moving and all the people who are with these children must run in the same circles to make it all work. We love every minute of it too! March was filled with children of all ages doing amazing things. From the Palm Sunday Pageant, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and the Murder Mystery dinner, there was no time to stop and think and talk. It was work. But, the most rewarding work. To see the faces of these children are our rewards. From the three year old sitting on the Easter Bunny's lap to the Luther League child who has just put on an incredible production and is getting a thunderous applause! This is why we do this!

There is so much going on in the next few months. From the plant and flower sale to preparing for our 2009 trip to New Orleans.(for the parents who missed our meeting, just ask Pastor Jim or myself to fill you in on the details) Cinqo de Mayo on May fourth, do not miss this fun filled day! Fun and great Mexican food and drink for the whole family! Ask Betty Davenport for details! The confirmation BBQ and picnic is coming! The youth committee also got together to discuss what fun trips we should take this summer with the Luther League! The lists keep going and so does our energy! Next time you have fun at an event, remember how much work has gone into preparing and planning and say thanks!

See you at the next event!
Deedra Iandoli
Youth Advisor & Vice President