Bear Town Youth Happenings

A Note From Pastor Tyler

As many of you have heard, my mother passed away on Saturday, November 8, after a brief battle with cancer. While the past two weeks have been a bit of a blur, I want to thank everyone for the messages, cards, and kind words. I also appreciate your flexibility because I was unable to attend Pilgrimage this year. I want to thank Dora Bullock and the other chaperones for doing a great job leading our group at Pilgrimage — I especially appreciate Brandon Scott, who stepped up at the last minute to serve as a chaperone in my place. I know everyone had a good time — Pilgrimage is always a meaningful event, and I look forward to being back with our crew next year at Pilgrimage!

Over the next few months, I might be away for a few days here and there as I try to help my dad adjust to a new normal, so I appreciate your patience and grace. But as always, feel free to reach out with questions about our youth ministry.

I am so grateful to be a part of this community of faith and this youth ministry!

Grace and Peace,

Tyler

Our next Bear Town Youth meeting will take place this Sunday, November 23, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM! We will begin with dinner in the fellowship hall!

Then we will have some fun with games before splitting up into our high school and middle school small groups! The middle school group will begin a series reflecting on the Christmas story, and as usual, the high schoolers will steer the conversation in their small group.

See you Sunday evening!

Midweek Middle School Hangout Service Project

In December, our middle schoolers will be filling stockings for the residents of Golden Heights Assisted Living, located a few blocks from the church on West Street. Approximately 40 stockings will be packed on Wednesday, December 3, and delivered on Wednesday, December 10. But we need your help!

There will be a collection bin on the landing outside the youth room to receive donations of the following items to put in the stockings:

• Shampoo
• Soap
• Hand & Body Lotion
• Deoderant
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Dental Floss
• Small packs of Kleenex
• Sugar Free Candy
• Puzzle Books and Crosswords

Please consider contributing to this project!

2026 Youth Winter Retreat & Ski Trip

WHAT: Bear Town will be going on a winter retreat to the mountains in January! While there, we will enjoy a time of fellowship, spiritual formation, and, of course, some time on the slopes for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing.

WHEN: We will depart from Centenary on the afternoon of Friday, January 16, 2026, and return on Monday, January 19, 2026. 

WHERE: Banner Elk, NC.

COST: The cost to register and attend is $150.00 per youth. In addition, adult chaperones who wish to ski, snowboard, or snow tube will be asked to pay the costs associated with these activities.

Cost SHOULD NOT be a barrier to youth attending. We will not tell anyone that they cannot participate because of financial reasons. If the cost is an impediment to your family, please contact Pastor Tyler.

SIGN-UP: To make plans for travel, registration is due by Monday, December 1, 2025. Space is limited, so please be sure to register quickly if you want to attend! Please sign up using the link:

WINTER RETREAT

If you are interested in attending as a chaperone, please contact Pastor Tyler. Space is limited, so we may not be able to accommodate everyone.

2025 Youth Christmas Party & Lock In



WHO: All youth (grades 6-12) and their friends!

WHAT: We will be having our annual youth Christmas party and lock-in. Parents are invited to drop off their youth at Centenary on Friday evening between 5 and 6 PM and then pick them up at 9 AM on Saturday.

WHEN: Friday, December 12 to Saturday, December 13.

WHERE: Centenary United Methodist Church.

SIGN-UP: Please register using the link below by Friday, December 5:

LINK

Bear Town Youth Live Nativity Shift



WHO: All youth (grades 6-12) and their friends!

WHAT: Centenary United Methodist Church will be hosting its Live Nativity again this year. The Live Nativity will run from 7:00-8:00 PM on December 22, 23, and 24.

Bear Town Youth will be participating in the live Nativity on Tuesday, December 23. We will serve dinner at 6 PM and then participate in a 20-minute Live Nativity shift at 7:00 PM.

If your family would like to participate in the live nativity on Monday, December 22, or Tuesday, December 24, please contact Katie Saik.

WHEN: Tuesday, December 23, 6:00 to 7:30 PM.

WHERE: Centenary United Methodist Church.

SIGN-UP: Please register using the link below by Tuesday, December 9:

LINK

2025-26 Midweek Middle School Hangout



WHO: Middle school students (grades 6-8) and any of their friends!

WHAT: During our time together, there will be devotional time and an opportunity to build and deepen relationships with other middle school students. Snacks will be provided!

WHEN: Midweek Middle School Hangouts will last until 5:30 PM. At that point, students can either enjoy a delicious Wednesday FEAST dinner in the fellowship hall between 5:30 and 6:30 PM or be picked up by a family member or responsible adult.

WHERE: We will provide transportation from Epiphany School of Global Studies, Grover C. Fields, and H.J. MacDonald. A volunteer will be at the church beginning at 3:45 if you prefer to provide your own transportation and drop your middle schooler off at Centenary.

SIGN-UP: If you are the parent or guardian of middle school students interested in participating in the Midweek Middle School Hangouts, please let us know using the link below:

2025-26 MIDDLE SCHOOL HANGOUT INTEREST FORM

Youth Praise Band

The Leaves the 99 Youth Praise Band will have its next practice on Saturday, November 22, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM in the Sanctuary, and then will be providing music for the 9:00 AM Xperience Service on Sunday, November 23.

For more information, please contact Dora Bullock!

2026 Confirmation Class

In the United Methodist Church, confirmation is when a baptized Christian confirms their intention to be a member of the body of Christ and publicly professes their faith in Jesus Christ. To prepare for this profession of faith, we will offer confirmation classes in 2026. These classes will cover core Christian beliefs, the Bible, church history, and United Methodist distinctives. If you are interested in your youth participating in confirmation, please complete the following interest form:

LINK

Support Bear Town Youth!

There are always several ways you can help with Bear Town Youth! We couldn't do what we do with our youth without the dozens of people who offer their support by giving their time, talent, and treasure. Won't you be one of them?

Volunteer Your Time:

There are a variety of ways you can get involved by volunteering with our youth:

• Sunday Night Youth Meetings: In order to comply with our Safe Sanctuaries Policy, which exists to protect children and vulnerable adults, we are required to have at least two adults present with youth at all times, which means on Sunday nights, we need volunteers when we split into our high school and middle school small groups!
• Youth Sunday School: We offer two small groups that meet during the Sunday School hour from 10:00 to 10:45 on Sundays during the fall, winter, and spring. These groups are split by age. We are looking to add additional adults who are willing to lead or co-lead these small groups!
• Service Projects: Our goal is to participate in at least one service-oriented event each month, and these events often require additional volunteers to make them happen!

If you are interested in volunteering in one of these areas, please contact Pastor Tyler.

Support the Youth Designated Fund:

Our Youth Designated Fund provides funding for special events and other activities beyond the amount we have budgeted each year for youth ministry. You can give online using this link: 

YOUTH FUND

Here are some important dates to have on your calendar:

• January 16 to January 19, 2026: 2026 Youth Winter Retreat and Ski Trip
• Sunday, February 8, 2026: Youth Sunday Worship
• Friday, February 27 to Sunday, March 1, 2026: NCCUMC ACS (Camp Rockfish)
• Monday, March 30 to Thursday, April 2, 2026: NCCUMC Global Vision (Washington, DC)
• Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19, 2026: NCCUMC Kaleidoscope (Camp Don Lee)
• Monday, June 22 to Saturday, June 27, 2026: NCCUMC Breakaway (Louisburg College)

To sign up for events or check out our plan here page, use the link below:

PLAN HERO PAGE

Bear Town Youth Leadership

Rev. Tyler Moore, Associate Pastor

Email: tylermoore@centenarychurch.com

Cell Phone: 336-693-0606 (call or text)

Church Office Phone: 252-637-4181

Dora Bullock, Youth Ministry Associate & Director of Children's and Youth Music

Email: dorabullock@centenarychurch.com

Church Office Phone: 252-637-4181