 Butterfly Hill Nature Preschool Give online! Ministerial Schedule! |
All Youth, ages birth to 18Nursery
Although we do not currently staff a Nursery, we do have many amenities for families with babies, toddlers, and small children of every age.
On Sundays, the Preschool that is housed in our building (Butterfly Hill Nature Preschool) graciously allows us to use their space on days of worship as long as we are good roommates and pick up after ourselves.
In addition, located on the South end of the building, our restrooms house baby changing stations.
We have Youth Activity rooms with toys for every age, including a ping-pong table, sandbag toss stations, and fussball, and just off the sanctuary, the Lounge has rocking chairs, couches, a small fridge, and coffee table so that any parent can continue to enjoy Sunday worship should their child decide they need more freedom of movement.
Sunday School, September - May
Pr. Amy leads an interactive children's message during worship every Sunday!
Sunday School Teachers: Amy Rieke, Lead Teacher
Ashley Rabeal
Connie Springman
Sub: Tess Evink
Ages 4 - Grade 5, September-May
Each week, please consult the weekly calendar in the bulletin for any special updates from the teachers regarding programming and schedule. Most Sundays, September-May, the children head to Sunday School after Pastor's message and return during the tithes and offerings. Once a month, the children will do noisy offering and might share something with us after the offertory prayer that they are learning about in Sunday School. We are already working on plans for a Christmas program should we have children that would like to participate. Youth Group programming and information about Youth Confirmation
Grades 6-12 Youth Group Team:
Pr. Amy VanValkenburg, Lead Teacher
Tess Evink
Thomas VanValkenburg
Sub: Amy Rieke
The Faithful Five:
Prayers - we visited various stations that led us in different ways to pray Presence - we listened to a presentation on noticing how our attention to our faith life is vital for our formation as Christians Gifts - we took an 80 question assessment that revealed spiritual talents that we are using every day even if we aren’t consciously thinking about it Service - we created a skit about a service project we might do in our congregation. Our group did a skit about starting a ‘kindness campaign' Witness - we heard testimony from one of our group leaders about his own faith journey When does the Youth Group meet? September - May
Wednesday evenings, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Youth Group Field Experiences, Grades 6-12 · Dates subject to change; please join REMIND, our church’s main way of communicating event information, and be sure that Pr. Amy has your most up-to-date contact information. · Please RSVP five days in advance for each individual field experience. Send your RSVP directly to Pr. Amy: pastor@alexumc.org or by calling/texting, 320-309-5574. · There are costs related to our field experiences. For the most part, we try to cover most costs for travel and food but there may be fees associated to lodging and registration for some of our activities. Please consult Pr. Amy for additional information. Hello Families!
August 10 - Day Trip to the State Capitol/Dianez Days/Quarry Park, Tentative schedule 7am - leave from the parking lot at the church (breakfast on the way) Please RSVP to pastor@alexumc.org by August 1. Thinking theologically: Family Camp - August 20-25 - ALL AGES!!! Family Camp - Registration allows for all kinds of ways to enter into time together - come one day or come two, come for the week - what works for you? It's an incredible way to share fun and faith together! Grandparents can come for a day trip with their grandchildren or stay overnight one night or the whole week! Family Camp is offered through Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pr. Christa Forsythe and Janelle Eisenbacher. I have been involved in offering Family Camp alongside these two amazing faith leaders since 2020 and my family has absolutely loved their time on the shores of Lake Andrew. Please consider coming on this adventure with us! Family Camp is for everyone; you do not have to have children to attend. Singles and couples can come along & enjoy camp too. There is something for everyone and accommodations for many kinds of registration Complete the registration form and submit it to our office with payment no later than July 25. Youth programming and Confirmation with Alex UMC
The Faithful Five:
Prayers - we visited various stations that led us in different ways to pray Presence - we listened to a presentation on noticing how our attention to our faith life is vital for our formation as Christians Gifts - we took an 80 question assessment that revealed spiritual talents that we are using every day even if we aren’t consciously thinking about it Service - we created a skit about a service project we might do in our congregation. Our group did a skit about starting a ‘kindness campaign' Witness - we heard testimony from one of our group leaders about his own faith journey "I am excited and curious about all that we can do together, and most importantly, I am interested in endeavoring to grow in faith alongside the youth of Alexandria UMC." -Pr. Amy
About Youth Group, Grades 6-12
The tenants of my curriculum and theology around youth programming is first and foremost about relationships and building connection. My vision for healthy programming is to have opportunities for youth of all ages - it is the intersectionality of interesting, fun, and engaging programming that informs and supports the faith life of our youth. Five Units Unit 1: The Geography, life and times of ancient peoples Unit 2: Work, Money, and the Bible Unit 3: World Religions Unit 4: Our Methodist expression of the Christian faith Unit 5: United Methodist polity, doctrine, and social principles
When does the Youth Group meet? **Wednesday evenings, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., September-May with one Congregational Life (CL) event a month in place of our regular Wednesday evening meetings, 6-7:30 p.m. **be sure to join REMIND for updates to our schedule Field Experiences Each field experience has a “thinking theologically” component and continues the conversation about it means to be a Christian in the 21st Century. Minnesota State Capital and Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church Thinking Theologically: As we explore our values as 21st Century Christians, we will also be unpacking the politics of ancient Israel during Jesus’ time. We will be asking questions like, “How might building the Kingdom of God be the same or different from Kingdom-building empire/government in ancient times and now-times?” Taking a grip to our own state capital endeavors to understand why laws are both important and complicated. Youth Event with the Conference (TBD) Thinking Theologically: The Conference Youth Ministry offers a once-a-year program that anchors the expression of our denomination - Methodism - in Christian faith. This is where our youth will further explore Methodist social principles, polity, and doctrine. A date has not yet been set for this event. Stay tuned! About Confirmation What Confirmation IS: Confirmation is a covenant. Confirmation, not being something you do, but something you live out - a lifestyle. Confirmation is fun! Confirmation is a time to explore, learn, grow, and discern God’s calling for you in your life Confirmation is learning about what it means to be an adult in the Methodist expression of the Christian faith. Confirmation is a time to think theologically about the values and Christian ethics that created the Methodist movement in the United States. A movement that began in the home of Susanna Wesley, the first founder of Methodism, and then brought more fully into form by her sons, John and Charles Wesley, two Anglican priests. What Confirmation is NOT:
Confirmation is not a program. Confirmation is not a youth group. Confirmation is not ‘graduation from church’. Confirmation is not the end to something you did. Confirmation is not a sacrament. Confirmation is not something we do because “my parents” said I had to. Confirmation is not a test. And, Confirmation does not always end in a service of Confirmation. Confirmation requirements for Confirmation in the Alexandria UMC Should you decide to make the covenant official by a service of Confirmation during a worship service with our church family, these are the expectations: 10 Sermon Notes (in-person or YouTube), written format Community Service, 75-hour requirement Completed Units: Methodism - history, polity, and doctrine Methodism - our social principles and social creed Methodism - the sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism Final deliverables regarding the units
1) Sharing your call story/faith statement with Pr. Amy in the format of your choosing: orally, written, video, …I am very flexible on this. 2) In-person meeting with Pr. Amy, your parents, and a sponsor, to share what you would like to share about your faith journey and how you would like us to support you as you continue on your faith journey as a Methodist! If you have a youth interested in our weekly programming or in our Confirmation programming, please contact her at pastor@alexum.org. If you are an adult interested in learning more about Confirmation and/or helping with our youth programming, please contact Pr. Amy and schedule an appointment. Pastor's office hours are posted in the weekly bulletin or call Ginger at 320-763-4624.
FAMILY CAMP on the shores of Lake Andrew! August 20-25, 2024
Sponsoring a youth camper!
Youth camping - many dates and programs from which to choose - Northern Pines (Park Rapids) and Koronis Ministries (Paynesville) has camping for youth starting at age 6. Our congregation is encouraged to sponsor a youth to attend camp for a week of their own choosing. Depending on which week a camper chooses, costs vary, see pamphlet on bulletin board or go online to www.campminnesota.org .
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