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This Sunday!
Crossroads
Sundays, beginning Sept. 8
12:30 - 1:30 pm
FC North (3777 Dublin Rd.)
Crossroads returns this Sunday! We will meet in the Crossroads Room at First Community North for games, get-to-know-you's, and pancakes! We'll gather as a full group (grades 6-12 together), then split into groups by age. Oh, did I mention there will be pancakes?? Come enjoy some brunch and friendship!
Never been to Crossroads before? Have a friend who might want to join us? There's no better time to jump in! We can't wait to see you!
Crossroads returns Sunday, September 8,
from 12:30 - 1:30 pm at First Community North.
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Party in the Parking Lot
Sunday, September 8
3 - 5 pm
FC South (1320 Cambridge Blvd.)
Join us for our full-church Fall Kick Off Event! All are welcome, so bring family and friends to join us at FC South for food, games, inflatables, and live music.
The Youth Team will be running skee ball, axe throwing (not real axes) and other large-scale games. Come play with us!
This is a great opportunity for families to get to know the youth leaders, ask questions, and have fun! See you then!
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Youth Registration
Registration is free and simply ensures we have updated info on your family for the 2024-25 program year. Take a moment to update us! Also, do you know someone who might want to get involved in First Community Youth Ministry? Forward this email along, have them register, and they'll get these emails right to their inbox.
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Youth Ministry Parent Info Session
Sunday, September 22
12:30 pm at FC North
While youth gather for Crossroads, parents are invited to an info session about all things Youth Ministry: Crossroads, Heart to Heart Volunteering, Choir, Confirmation, the Mexico Trip, and more. New families and parents of 6th graders are encouraged, as well as parents of 9th graders, as we plan to do something new and different with the Confirmation program this year! Regardless of your child's grade, I’d love to meet you and tell you all about Youth Ministry in 2024-25!
Let me know you plan to attend. The meeting should last about 30 minutes, from 12:30 - 1 pm. Afterward, parents are welcome to stick around to join us for the end of that day's Crossroads activities:
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Volunteer at Heart to Heart
Wednesdays, starting September 11
5 - 6:30 pm
FC South (1320 Cambridge Blvd.)
Join us each Wednesday, starting September 11, to help prepare grocery bags for the clients at Heart to Heart Food Pantry!
Who can get involved? Anyone in grades 6-12 is welcome to serve with us! Middle school parents: we strongly encourage you to attend with your child the first time they volunteer at Heart to Heart. Once they get to know the tasks, they're welcome to come on their own!
Required: Minor Waiver. All participants under 18 must bring a waiver the first time you volunteer. These need to be filled out anew each program year, so please fill out a new one for the 2024-25 year! Click here to find the Minor Waiver.
Required: Sign-Up. Spots are limited for each Wednesday evening and signing up is required. Click below to claim your spot! Note: if you are signing up yourself and your child, be sure to occupy two volunteer spots.
Can I get service hours? Yes! Ask us about verifying your hours when you come to volunteer. Feel free to bring the paper or link to Heart to Heart with you for us to sign.
Why does Heart to Heart need help? About 500 clients receive food from Heart to Heart each week. They come on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Our work on Wednesday evenings makes the Thursday morning pantry hours possible! We couldn't serve our neighbors in need without your service!
I have a school project that requires community service, and I'm wondering if Heart to Heart is a place I could serve. We would love that! Reply to this email. I'd love to put you in touch with our mission team!
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Can't volunteer on Wednesdays, but still want to get involved at Heart to Heart?
Visit our Heart to Heart homepage.
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Mark your calendar!
Camp Akita's 75th Anniversary
Sunday, September 29
1 - 5 pm at Camp Akita
Please join us on Sunday, September 29 from 1-5 pm at Camp Akita to honor the past 75 years, while also embracing the future for our next generations of campers.
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The Akita Gate will open at 1 pm. Busing will be provided from First Community North at 12 pm, returning by 5:30 pm. Sign-ups to reserve a spot on the bus will be available in the Wednesday Stay Connected email each week in September. Limited parking will be available at Camp Akita.
- Rev. Sarah Kientz will lead a casual worship service beginning at 2 pm. Wear your favorite Akita shirt!
- The day will feature food in the Dining Hall, along with pictures and memorabilia from the past 75 years. Akita-style music will also be highlighted throughout the day!
- The rest of the day is open to hiking, reuniting with old friends, and visiting your favorite Akita spots!
The current Camp Akita might look a little different to campers of 25, 50 or 75 years ago, but the spirit and mission haven't changed. Please plan to help us celebrate the past 75 years, and kick-off the future for the next 75 years!
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Save the Date!
Fall Youth Retreat
Saturday, October 26 - Sunday, October 27
Camp Akita
Save the date for our Fall Youth Retreat at Camp Akita! We will provide transportation to Camp Akita on Saturday morning, October 26, and return to the church on Sunday, October 27.
Activities at the Youth Retreat
- Full-group games, such as capture the flag and scavenger hunts.
- Small-group activities divided by age for community-building.
- Guided free time: youth can choose activities such as hiking and/or crafting led by staff and Crossroads Leaders.
- Morning devotions and opportunities for reflection.
- Friendship and fun!
Who Can Attend?
Youth in grades 6-12 are invited! Friends are welcome, even if they have not attended Crossroads or other FC youth programs.
Living at Camp Akita
Youth Retreat participants will live in the Camp Akita Lodge, which has heat and air conditioning and bathrooms with hot showers. All meals are provided. On the registration form, you'll find we ask about medications and allergies so we can serve all participants safely. The retreat is led by Sarah and Will (Youth Ministry/Camp Akita Directors) as well as volunteer Crossroads Leaders.
Akita Fun Day: October 27
Akita Fun Day is on Sunday, October 27, a free family event with pumpkin carving, hiking, climbing the tower, and more. If your family is attending Akita Fun Day, you'll meet up with your family once they arrive, enjoy Akita Fun Day (1 - 4 pm), then ride home as a family. If your family is not attending Akita Fun Day, you'll head back to Columbus with youth retreat leaders and get dropped off at First Community.
Registration Coming Soon!
Mark your calendar now. Registration, fees, and more specific timing is coming soon! In the meantime, check out photos from our Spring Retreat last April!
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Save the Date!
Mexico Mission Trip 2025
March 18 - 26, 2025
We are in the early stages of planning this year's Mexico Mission Trip, but we want to send out tentative dates so those who are interested can mark their calendars! We have not booked flights yet, so these dates are tentative: March 18 - 26, 2025. The Mexico Trip is for grades 9-12, their parents/guardians, and college students.
Interested in this year's trip? Please fill out the form below so we can be sure to update you with information about meetings, registration dates, and more!
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Welcome, Will Bertke!
Sunday, September 8 will be Will Bertke's first Sunday as a full-time staff member! Will Bertke is our new Youth Ministry Program Coordinator. He grew up attending First Community's youth programs, worked at Camp Akita for four summers, attended the past two Mexico Mission Trips, and served as our Staff Director for Camp Akita 2024. When he was in high school, Will worked as a part-time receptionist at FC North and is familiar with our church ministries, missions, staff, and members. Will recently graduated from the University of Cincinnati with degree in Education. He comes with professional experience teaching, leading, and learning with young people.
I know Will to be compassionate, open-minded, and extremely funny. He’s a hard worker who is instantly a friend. Many of our middle schoolers and high schoolers already know and adore Will, and we are so lucky to have him as part of the team!
Whenever you meet Will, please extend a warm welcome!
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So much to look forward to! This year will be full of Youth Ministry events and opportunities for connection, such as the Halloween Hullabaloo, the Mexico Mission Trip, and more! Most of all, we look forward to getting to know our amazing group of youth and families. Please reach out if you'd like to schedule a time to chat or get to know us better. We would welcome your email!
Rev. Sarah C. Kientz
Minister to Youth and Camp Akita
she/her | skientz@fcchurch.com
Will Bertke
Youth Ministry Program Coordinator
he/him | wbertke@fcchurch.com
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Important Resources
Need some extra support? Use these resources or reply to this email. I can provide conversation and referrals.
Suicide Lifeline. In immediate danger? Call 911. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has a new number: call 988. It provides free and confidential support for you or your loved ones. Learn more about local suicide prevention resources through Nationwide Children's Suicide Prevention.
Mental Health Crises. The Franklin County Youth Psychiatric Crisis Line provides 24/7 services for non-life-threatening crises. Ages 17 and under: (614) 722-1800; 18 and older: (614) 276-CARE (2273). Learn more about local mental health resources through Nationwide Children's Crisis Services.
Domestic Violence & Teen Dating Abuse. In immediate danger? Call 911. For domestic violence resources, visit thehotline.org. Young people who have concerns about their relationships can text 22522 or visit loveisrespect.org.
LGBTQ+ Support. The Trevor Project provides affirming resources for LGBTQ+ youth and families. Text START to 678-678. In crisis, feeling suicidal, or need a judgement-free space to talk? Call the TrevorLifeline at 1-866-488-7386.
Sexual Health Resources. Nationwide Children's Hospital provides a program called AwkTalk, free videos that help parents discuss sexual health, puberty, and healthy relationships. Each video is less than 10 minutes, provides medically accurate information, and can be viewed at any time.
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