Category: For Youth

Youth Basketball

For many years, Metropolitan United Church served as the home of the Metropolitan Basketball Teams. Newly renamed the First†Metropolitan United Basketball Teams, upwards of 12 to 17 teams practice weekly in the Fellowship Hall and play at a local high school. This service is an “outreach” to the community, giving neighbourhood youth an outlet of healthy activity for six to seven months of the year.

Contact Rick and Sheila Vickery at (250) 479-0164 for more information.

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Youth Focused Worship

Children participate in special SundaysChildren and youth are also involved in Special Sundays
  • Rally Sunday: Sunday School Starts Second Sunday of September
  • Children’s Sunday: Closest Sunday to November 20th UN Children’s Day
  • White Gift Sunday: First or Second Sunday of December.
  • Christmas Eve Family Service: December 24 at 4:30 p.m.
  • Christmas Eve Young Adults Service: December 24 at 11 p.m.
  • Maundy Thursday: Seder Meal and Tenebrae on the Thursday prior to Good Friday. (Passover)
  • Lenten Project Dedication Sunday: One week after Easter.
  • Great Parade: The First Sunday of June.
  • Children and youth are also involved in Special Sundays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Palm Sunday, Easter, Christian Family Sunday (Mothers Day), etc.
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Young Adults

College and Career Group: Meets once a month after the 11:00 a.m. service, with light lunch and discussion/activities. First gathering Sep 11 at 12:30.

ContactMegumi Matsuo SaundersE-mail Megumi Matsuo Saunders, Children, Youth and Family Ministry250.388.5188 ext. 235

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Sunday School Classes and Curriculum

Sunday School starts at the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Children and youth sit with their parents at the beginning of the service. During the “Time for Young People” children and youth come forward for a special time. After this, they go to their own classroom with their teachers. We have classes for Nursery (ages birth to 2), Toddlers (2 to 4), Beginners (Kindergarten), Grades 1 and 2, Grades 3 and 4, Junior Youth (Grades 5 to 7), and Senior Youth (Grades 8 to 12).

During the class time, a snack and beverage is provided. Classes will end at 12:00 for Nursery and Toddlers. Please come to the children’s rooms to pick them up and wait outside the door until the classes finish. Please wait at the Fellowship Hall  until 12:15 before going to the classrooms to pick up Kindergarten to Grade 4 children.  Enjoy coffee and cookies in the Fellowship Hall while waiting for the older children to finish their activities. Grades 5 to 12 youth will be led to the Fellowship Hall by their leaders.

Sunday School at FMUC

Wonderful Teachers!

Many dedicated, experienced teachers and wonderful volunteers who love children are present to nurture children and help them explore Christian principles: God’s love, Jesus’ ministry, and important values such as sharing, fairness, respect and compassion. Grades 5 and up will be led by youth leaders and volunteer helpers. If you can teach or assist teaching, please let Megumi Matsuo Saunders know.

Our Facilities are great!

Well-equipped Nursery and Toddlers rooms offer a safe bright environment for preschoolers. (Located on the first floor)

Other classrooms are located on the second floor. Each classroom is spacious, bright, and comfortable. We have a small gathering room for special times and a large gym for luncheons and fun activities. Please wait at the Fellowship Hall with visits over coffee and cookies until 12:15; then pick up K to G7 at their classrooms.  Please wait outside of the door until the class finishes.

Exciting Curriculum

  • Seasons of the Spirit ” will be used for Nursery classes.
  • Power Xpress” will continue to be used for Grades 1 to 7. It is an exciting program and has been receiving a very positive response. The same Bible story is explored for several weeks in a rotational learning setting.  Each week, children encounter the scripture in different ways, including Art, Cookery, Science, Games, Music, Story, Video etc. The variety of experiences keeps interest high throughout the unit. We have specialists in each category and each specialist teaches 3 lessons per unit or year. We also have (Home room teachers, who look after children regularly and also teach from time to time.
  • Grades 5 to 7 use additional resources.
  • Toddlers and Senior Youth  (Grade  8-12), will use a different combined curriculum and other resources.

Parents Room

For those who want to keep their very young children or infants with them during the service. We have a well-equipped room off the front entrance (back of the church sanctuary). Children can be tended in comfort or play at your feet while you can see and hear the service in the Sanctuary.

Nursery: Newborn to 2 year olds

Nursery is available for newborns to two years old during the 11:00 am service. Caregivers and parents look after the children. There is a speaker to listen to the service if parents want to stay with their children. Children in the Nursery are released at 12:00.  Please come to their rooms to pick them up.

Toddlers: 2 – 4 year olds

Includes creative play and stories various curricula. The three year olds start the gradual transition from the play of the younger children to the structured learning of the higher age group. Playtime and Snack-time are built into the lesson outlined each week. Toddlers are released at 12:00.  Please come to their rooms to pick them up.

Beginners: Older four year olds to Kindergarten

For those who are just starting preschool to school.  Children encounter the message of the scriptures in different ways while participating in art, cookery, science, games, story, music and through videos. There are lots of crafts, playtime and Bible stories.

Primary: Grades 1 and 2

For those who are young readers. We use “Power Xpress.” Children encounter the message of the scriptures in different ways while participating in art, cookery, science, games, story, music and through videos. Colourful Bible stories become alive.

Junior: Grades 3 and 4

We use “Power Xpress.” Children encounter the message of the scriptures in different ways white participating in art, cookery, science, games, story, music and through videos.

Middle School Youth: Grades 5, 6 and 7

Using various resources including Power Xpress,  lessons utilize different activities (drama, pottery, music, games, crafts, discussion, photo, and others) to learn stories related 1n the Bible.

Senior Youth Class: Grades 8-12

Using various resources, youth explore Christian themes connecting the Biblical and contemporary world. Discussion, activities, etc.

For more information contact Megumi Matsuo Saunders. Phone: (250) 388-5188 ext 235 | E-mail: Megumi Matsuo SaundersE-mail Megumi Matsuo Saunders

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Folk Vespers

Amy Collins, Jeff Poynter and friends

Held on the Third Sunday of Each Month from September to May at 4:00 p.m.

Join University of Victoria Music students Amy Collins, Jeff Poynter and friends for a contemporary worship service on the first Sunday of each month at 4:00 pm in the chapel from October to May. This service was formerly known as Contemporary Sabbath. All are welcome to this spirit and music filled worship service. Young Adults usually meet for a shared vegan supper following the service, hosted by Henri Lock, UVic chaplain. Volunteers are needed who will make a pot of soup (carrot, pumpkin, minestrone – gluten-free and vegan) for the supper. Please call Fran Pollet if you can help.

Of further musical note:

Here is your opportunity to sing with friends – old and new. A group of young people (ages 16 – 29) meeting weekly to sing their joy, share their songs and grow together. The fall season starts on September 12th meeting at 7p.m. at Oak Bay United Church (corner of Granite and Mitchell Streets).

Share this group with nieces and nephews who may be in town for school/university, with your grandchildren or children, with friends and neighbours – check us out on Facebook: facebook.com/singyourjoy. A magical thing happened this past spring when those 20 singers took the stage – be part of it this season!

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Youth News Notes Sept 2011

 

Hope all of you received email Newsletter for this fall schedule and events.

Just a reminder of wonderful starting up season.  This morning, we had Mothers Morning Out with Rhythm Band. Great gathering!

Sept 11 Rally Sunday (Sunday School starts up) and other important events including Turkey dinner on Sept.18 for fundraising.

If you have any item to donate for Silent Auction, please contact Daegan Reimer at 250-595-9956   Pie donation, contact Megumi 

 

Sept. 11 Rally Sunday- New year of Sunday School

11:00am Worship Sunday school : after the children’s time gather at Doreene McLeod room

Welcome & Introduction of teachers

Classroom activities-

Sept. 18 (Sun) introduction & games

            Drumming for New Season  As we walked the Labyrinth last year, Drumming is another way to connect with our children’s spirituality.

11:00am Worship

G3 + 4 and Jr. & Sr. Youth gather together at R.200 to have drumming sessions. We have prepared about 50- 60 drums with a wonderful instructor from Han Drum Rhythms

12:15        Jr. Youth prepare the tables for Turkey dinner

4:30 pm  Jr. & Sr. Youth come back to church to serve Turkey dinner. Older youth (12 and older) helping Turkey dinner serving will be $7.00 instead of $16.00.

                         5:00 pm  Turkey Dinner, door opens

silent auction starts

5:30pm – 7:30 pm Turkey dinner & entertainment

 

FirstMet Turkey Dinner for Fundraising for Youth programs Sept.18, 5:30 to 7:30pm entertainment & Silent auction,

Adults: 12+ $16.00, Youth 4-11 $7.00, Under 3 yr  Free

                       

Sept.23 ( Fri) Family Fun Potluck supper at 5:30   & Jr. & Sr. Youth Groups kick off!      We will show FirstMet Congregational camp slide show. Also, please check lost & found from the camp.

Sept.25(Sun)  Sunday school covenanting, & luncheon party and Magic Show

11:00am      Worship & Sunday School

12:15 to 1:45 pm Hotdog luncheon & Magic show & games.

 

 

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Youth

Youth are led by our trained Youth Leaders.

  • Junior Youth Group (Grades 4-7): Meets twice a month (usually 1st and 3rd Fridays) on Friday evenings at 6:30 pm with leaders Jeanie Smith and Sarah Wyatt. Jeanie is a third year philosophy major at UVic and a member of Comox United Church. Her love of working with youth has brought her to FirstMet after working on the children and youth staff at Naramata Centre for the summer.

 

  • Senior Youth Group (Grades 8–12): Meets one Friday evening at 6:30 pm and one Sunday afternoon with leaders Sarah Stang and Jennifer Comrie.

 

 

  • Confirmation group at Camp Pringle, April 2011

    Youth Confirmation (Grades 7 and 8): Faith Exploration; starting October 2012. For more information, contact Megumi Matsuo Saunders. Explores who am I? what gives purpose and meaning to my life?, what kind of person do I want to be?, what does it mean to be a disciple, part of a faith community?, how can I make a difference in the world? through films, stories, activities, trips, etc.

  • Attend youth conferences in Vancouver Nov. 10-13.
  • Sessions held in the afternoon (2:00 to 4:30) on the first Sunday of the month
  • overnight camping session at Camp Pringle (TBA)
  • Attend Epiphany Explorations in January
See also:
  • Youth Ministry.com: Articles, resources, conversations, mentors and more for youth and those involved in youth ministry, brought to you by the publishers of Group Magazine.
  • The Centre for Youth & Society at UVic focuses attention directly on adolescent health and development – within the context of the community.
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George Pringle Memorial Camp

Other Opportunities for Children and Youth

Camp Pringle, in Shawnigan Lake, provides opportunities for children, youth, adults and families to experience a closer relationship to God, themselves, other people and the natural world in a Christian setting.

There were two George Pringles, father and son, and both United Church ministers. George Sr. was a much-loved preacher in the Yukon, on the coastal mission boats and ministered in various churches including Centennial United here in Victoria. George Jr. was a champion athlete while at UBC and served as a minister in the Okanagan for a time but was tragically killed in 1943 while serving as a navigator with the RCAF.

George Pringle Memorial Camp Photo

When Victoria Presbytery established a church camp in 1950, they named it in honour of these men. The property is 18 acres (7.3 ha) of woodland and sheltered waterfront on Shawnigan Lake, 45 minutes north of Victoria. Facilities include winterized accommodation, a meeting space, kitchen and dining hall, a nature trail, an outdoor chapel plus a boathouse and wharf. The camp relies on the support of its volunteers for semi-annual spring clean-ups, for undertaking specific projects and for financial contributions.

Now entering a new era as the Regional Camp For Vancouver Island, the new facilities are ideal for United Church summer programs and year-round rental retreats.  With leadership programs, CIT and Crew, for ages 15+ and family oriented camps for all ages in addition to youth programming for ages 8-14, there is something for everyone.  There is also an excellent March Break Camp each year.  For more information see the Camp Pringle website .

Below is our NEW Branter Lodge – one of two recent additions to our revitalized camping program funded by BC Conference United Church.

 

Branter Lodge March 2011

 

 

 

 

For more information, call (250) 472-6877.

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Meg Hickling: Sexual Health Education for Families 2012

On-Line Registration Is Now Closed

 

Limited space MAY be available for the 5:40 to 6:20 pm session only.

Date: Thursday, January 12, 2012

Time(s):

  • 4:30 to 5:10 Session #1 Children ages 3 to 7 and guardians. We have 88 children and 80 adults signed up for this session.
  • 5:40 to 6:20 Session #2 Children ages 3 to 7 and guardians. We have 87 children and 92 adults currently signed up.
  • 7 to 8 pm  Session #3/4Youth ages 8 to 17 and guardians. And for families with youth also in ages 3 – 7 grouping. We have 180 youth and 180 parents/guardians signed up for this session!!
  • 7 – 9 pm Session #4 Youth ages 13 – 17, parents/guardians in separate space. 

Location: First†Metropolitan United Church Sanctuary

Meg Hickling

 

 

 

Meg Hickling, is a well known sexual health educator, member of the Order of Canada, and has the ability to convey difficult material with sensitivity, gentle humour and warmth.

 

Cost is only $12/Family

Books and a DVD of a previous year’s workshops will be available for sale at the event.

On-Line Registration. Click on a category as stated above.

This is very important! We have a very large attendance so pre-registration is crucial to our planning.
See you on Thursday, January 12, 2012!  

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