Christ Church Dayton Youth
See our Youth Events page for more information on current events.
2010 Youth Commission/Youth Group Program
The Youth Commission is a dedicated group of Christ Church members who meet regularly to plan and provide year round programming for the Youth Group of our parish. This program takes place outside of Sunday morning classes and worship, with activities both on and off site. Our Junior High youth meet on the 3rd Sunday of each month in the afternoon. Our Senior High youth are encouraged to participate in the weekly Wednesday night Dayton Episcopal Deanery Youth Program called, YODAH, (Youth Of Dayton Are Here!) Joint programs are offered throughout the year.
2010 Highlights include:
Spring Retreat “Come, Follow Me“ - A discipleship retreat held at Camp Wesley in Bellefontaine, Ohio. We took some time to get away, have fun, and learn what it means to be followers of Jesus. Blessed with a beautiful and unseasonably warm weekend in April, we were able to boat and fish on the lake, take a trust walk and have a campfire. Indoors there were activities, games, music and lots of food. A good time was had by everyone.
Good Earth Hunger Mission – In June we returned to Athens, Ohio for a week of mission at the Good Earth Farm. Adults and older youth designed and built an outdoor camp shower structure with most materials donated by Christ Church. The showers were finished by week-end and inaugurated by members of our group. They will continue to be used by visiting mission groups. All other youth and adult chaperones worked in the fields; weeding, harvesting, planting and gleaning crops. We delivered fresh produce to be given out at the local market and food pantries. In addition to service, there were also educational opportunities for our group. And no trip would be complete without a day of water fun at the local State Park, Strouds Run.
Morgan’s Camp/Canoe Trip – Each August our youth group hosts a camp and canoe trip on the Little Miami River for members and friends of our parish, other Episcopal parishes, and friends from First Baptist Church. This two-night event was almost washed out this year, as torrential thunder storms ripped through the campground after a warm and sunny afternoon of canoeing. Many retreated towards home with soggy tents and gear, but a few hardy souls remained through the night and packed up camp the next morning.
Jr. High Lock-In – This event held in December brought a fun night of tie-dying shirts, games, activities, and worship for our junior high girls and friends. On Sunday morning they traveled to Procter Center to join in the closing worship service of the diocesan Exodus retreat weekend that was attended by their senior high peers.
Both junior and senior high youth jointly participated in fundraising projects throughout the year. To raise funds for summer mission they hosted an Italian Feast/Spaghetti Luncheon for the parish after Sunday services in March. All were well-served and fed and the event was a huge success. The ever popular Car Wash in June continues to ensure that all cars parked in our lot on that day will be clean when you leave from church! We gratefully give thanks to the wonderful and caring members of Christ Church for all the support shown to us in our fundraising endeavors.
Our youth participate in Community Service projects such as: the Metroparks River Clean Up, Dayton Episcopal Food Pantry Toiletry Collection and St. Vincent Shelter meal serving. In an effort to give back to the parish our youth group hosts the annual Halloween Party and Easter Egg Hunt for parish children. They also assist yearly in Waffle Shop set up.
The Youth Commission currently consists of: Maureen Boyles, Kelli Paul, Emily Sexton, and John Strieter. Kelli Paul and Emily Sexton serve as Youth Group Leaders. A year of transition: Hayward Learn, Commission Chair, retired from his leadership position in October after nearly 10 years of dedicated service to this program. We are sincerely thankful for his ministry with our youth. Kris Sexton, long-time commission member, will also step down for 2011. We are excited to make way for the new and creative ministry of our young adults. We would like to thank Art Paul for his leadership of the Deanery YODAH group. And finally, we are appreciative for the support of parents and other adults in helping to provide food, transportation, chaperones and event assistance to make this a successful youth program. Thank you!