|
Hello, Youth & Families!
Coming up!
- Sunday, Oct. 11 (12:30 - 2 pm) Crossroads at FCC North! Join us to learn about our local missions!
- Wednesday, Oct. 14 (5 - 6 pm): Heart to Heart youth volunteer shift. Help feed our community!
- Monday, October 19: Final day to register for the Youth Fall Retreat. Register now!
Looking Ahead
Register for 2026-27 Youth Programs. Registration is free and simply a way to keep you on our email list. We ask families to register each program year, so even if you've registered before, please update your info for us here:
| | |
Crossroads
Sundays, 12:30 - 2:00 pm
First Community North
3777 Dublin Rd
What's in store this week, you ask? Well this week we are learning a bit more about FCC's local missions in Columbus and how to get involved. Join us to complete a fun craft to help brighten up the volunteers of Heart to Heart's days!
Never been to Crossroads before? Well now is the perfect time to jump in! Here's the run-down:
-
Meet in the Crossroads Room. It's the big room with couches in the back. A Leader will direct you!
-
Full-group gathering. Will and Sarah will welcome the group and lead some games and activities.
-
Small group activity. We'll split into groups by age and complete a fun activity together, as well as discussion.
-
Come together. As always, we'll end with a short closing prayer!
Have a friend who might want to join us? There's no better time to try it out. We can't wait to see you!
| | |
Youth Volunteering at Heart to Heart
Wednesdays, 5 - 6 pm
FC South (1320 Cambridge Blvd.)
Join us each Wednesday, beginning September 16, to help prepare grocery bags for the clients at Heart to Heart Food Pantry! Note that H2H Volunteering is now just one hour (5 - 6 pm), as we have ended by 6 pm most nights.
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 & Sign Up. All participants under 18 must bring a waiver the first time you volunteer. Click here to find the Minor Waiver. Spots are limited for each Wednesday evening and signing up is required. Click below to claim your spot!
Can I get service hours? Can I use H2H for a school project? Yes and yes! Leaders can sign off on your service hour forms. And we'd love you to host donation drives! Reply to this email to get started.
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!
| | |
Mexico Mission Trip 2027
March 19 - 27, 2027
Info Session: November 1, 10 am at FC North
Registration is now live!
Work hard during the day, camp under the stars at night, build friendships with a family, then hand over the keys to their new home. Our 28th annual Mexico Mission Trip returns! Will you join us this year?
The Mexico Trip is for grades 9-12, their parents/guardians, and college students. Younger youth are welcome to attend if the full family is in attendance. Wondering if this trip is for you? Reply to this email!
Information Session
We'll be offering just one more Info Session about the 2027 Mexico Mission Trip. The content of both meetings is the same, so those who are interested only need to attend one. Prefer to join us via Zoom? Indicate that option on the meeting RSVP.
- Sunday, November 1 at 10 am - FC North
If you plan on attending, or know anyone else who is, make sure to RSVP!
About the Mexico Trip
Registration is now open for the Mexico Mission Trip! Check out our website entirely dedicated to the trip to sign up:
| | |
Register now!
Fall Youth Retreat
Friday, October 23 - Sunday, October 25
Camp Akita
Registration opens on Monday, September 28, for the Fall Youth Retreat! Youth in grades 6-12 are welcome to join us for a great weekend! The final day to register for this retreat is Monday, October 19.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, October 23
- 5 pm - Check in at First Community North. We’ll drive down to camp together in church vans.
- 6 pm - Get settled at camp and have dinner.
- 7:30 pm - Evening Activities!
- 11 pm - Lights out
Saturday, October 24
- 8 am - Wake up
- 8:30 am – Morning devotion
- 9 am – Breakfast
- 10 am – Get ready for the day
- 11 am – Full group games!
- 1 pm – Lunch
- 2 pm – Afternoon activities (hiking, crafts, tag games, etc.)
- 6 pm – Dinner
- 7 pm – Evening activities (games and movie with popcorn)
- 11 pm – Lights out
Sunday, October 25
- 8 am - Wake up
- 8:30 am – Morning devotion
- 9 am – Breakfast
- 9:30 am – Small group debrief time
- 10:30 am – Pack up
- 11 am – Those heading back to the church load the vans, or stay at Camp Akita for Fall Fun Day (open-house style fun for the whole family!). Indicate on your registration your timing.
- 12 pm – Those in the van arrive back at First Community North.
- 1 pm - 4 pm - (Optional) Akita Fall Fun Day!
MORE ABOUT THE RETREAT
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! Just be sure they register; feel free to forward this email, as well as the registration link when it opens.
Fees & Scholarships
The Youth Retreat is $125 per participant. Full and partial scholarships are available.
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 and Camp Akita Counselors.
Registration ends Monday, October 19!
| |
Save the Dates
More information and registration to come on the events below, but mark your calendars now!
Friday, October 23 - Sunday, October 25: Youth Fall Retreat. Grades 6-12 are invited to join us for 2 nights of fall-themed fun at Camp Akita!
Sunday, October 25: Akita Fall Fun Day. Families and friends are welcome for a day of open-house fun from 1 - 4 pm at Camp Akita.
Sunday, December 6: Adopt-a-Family. Help provide Christmas gifts to local families in need on the afternoon of Sunday, December 6, from 5 - 7 pm.
February 5 - 7: Youth Winter Retreat. Grades 6-12 are invited to join us for 2 nights of winter-themed fun at Camp Akita!
March 19 - 27: Mexico Mission Trip. Grades 9+ are invited to build homes for families in Mexico. Learn more or sign up for an info session here: Mexico Mission Trip.
| | |
Youth Registration
Registration is free and simply ensures we have updated info on your family for the 2025-26 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.
| | |
In all of our events, we most 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
| | |
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.
| | | | |
