Youth News for August 2 & August 9

THE FALL 2026 YOUTH EVENTS SCHEDULE IS UP and available for viewing on the church website, or by clicking on this QR code. All events are updated in real time, so this is where to find the most current information and links to event signups!

OUR OFFICIAL FALL KICKOFF LOCK-IN will be held Saturday evening, Sept. 19-Sunday morning, Sept. 20 at St. Matthew's. We will spend the overnight "locked in" at the church, and lead the 9:30am worship for St. Matthew's on Sunday. More details and signup info are here.

GOOD WORKS YOUTH WORK DAYS will start up again on Saturday, September 26 from 8:15am-3:45pm. Spend a Saturday helping make repairs to homes for people in need in our area. All 7th-12th graders are welcome to join us; if you're thinking about participating in Appalachia Service Project next summer, this is a great way to get some idea of what that ministry is all about!  Sign up by Wednesday, Sept. 16 to participate. 

SUMMER 2027 YOUTH TRIP INFO SESSIONS (yes, already) - There are TWO big trips in the works for our youth next summer: The triennial (every-three-year) ELCA Youth Gathering June 28-July 2 in Minneapolis, MN; and our annual Appalachia Service Project Work Week July 16-23. All 7^th-12th graders, and their parents, are encouraged to attend one of two information sessions to learn more about these opportunities:

• St. Paul's Fellowship Hall on Sunday, September 13 from Noon-1:00pm; or
• St. Matthew's CLC on Sunday, September 13 from 4:00-5:00pm.

Registration for both of these trips open in October, so we will need to get our groups assembled soon!

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH PEER MINISTRY RETREAT - If you are in 9^th-12th grade and interested in being trained as a Peer Ministry Leader, reserve the weekend of November 13-15 on your calendar to attend a special retreat in Bethany Beach, DE. More information coming in early September!