DCLC Jr. High and High School News..😁

DCLC Jr & Sr High Ministry

Greetings!

My name is Katelyn Williamson and I am serving as the Director of Youth and Family Ministry. We’re jumping feet first into events and I will be sending out lots of information in the coming days/ weeks. I am very excited to serve you and your kids. But first here’s a little bit about me:

I've been in the field of youth and young adult ministry for more than 6 years serving in roles such as Middle School Ministry Assistant, Middle and High School Youth Leader, Summer Camp Counselor, Sunday School Teacher, and Discipleship Intern. I was blessed to have been able to complete my discipleship at The Malibu Club, a Younglife camp in British Columbia. Additionally, I’ve spent 8 summers working at multiple religious summer camps. Outside of ministry I love the outdoors, camping, hiking, backpacking, dancing, baking, volunteering, and board games. Things I do not love are snakes, spiders, lukewarm drinking water, rocks scratching on tile floor.

My passion in ministry is working with the youth and young adults. I love working specifically with our youth and teenage friends because I get the chance to tell kids who they truly are, because of Christ. Adolescence is such a pivotal time in development. Teenagers are searching for answers to these questions of identity, belonging, and purpose. They are desperately longing for acceptance. It’s so special and humbling to be the person that these teenage friends can come to find answers and being able to walk through life with them through such a pivotal point in their lives.

BAND APP:

First thing.. Email kinda sucks! I don’t know about you but I get over 50+ emails everyday and things always seem to get lost. I will be moving our communication over to a communication app called BAND. This is an app where both parents and youth can be on to see what’s happening, look at the community calendar, share photos, message me directly and talk in a youth group chat! We will be using this app and I would appreciate parents and students to join.

High School Band- Click here to join!

Jr. High Band- Click here to join!

APRIL/MAY SCHEDULE:

I will be starting up weekly Jr. High & High School Nights.

Jr. High will meet Thursdays 6:30-7:45 PM starting April 7th, 2022.
High School will meet on Sundays 7:00-9:00 PM starting April 3rd, 2022.

I have attached a calendar schedule for the remainder of the semester. This is subject to change. Please let me know if you have any questions.

High School Night:

Our first night meeting together will be April 3rd, 2022. You won’t want to miss this night. I have big surprises planned for you and we will be playing a BIG game of FUGITIVE! Invite your friends, the more the better!

CAMPFORMATION:

Campformation is just around the corner! The week that the camp will be offered is July 3-8th, 2022. Campformation is a gathering of Lutheran churches and each church leader helps run the week of activities (worship, bible study, team building, games, campfire, etc). This has been a tradition for 40+ years for Campformation in Arizona and offers a great experience for our youth and our leaders!

Some of you 6th graders might be wondering why you are receiving information about the camp; it's because we want you to experience this amazing week! We allow for all incoming 7th, 8th and 9th graders to attend this camp, and encourage you to do so. We also allow for our incoming 10th grade students to attend as a “GAP” year. This GAP year will include a hybrid schedule where they experience camp as a camper and counselor! This is a great new model developed to get all of our youth connected to camp. Desert Cross will have many youth and counselors attending this summer, don’t miss this fantastic week!

It is my belief that most youth experience Jesus in new and exciting ways while attending Campformation. Camp is an activity that I believe can be instrumental in the faith life of our younger teens. I strongly encourage you to get your child to camp at least one of the years that they are eligible to attend. The fruit of their participation can be seen for a long time.

I would greatly appreciate you not delaying in registering soon and turning in the payment by April 6th. Once you have turned in your deposit I will send you a link with the paperwork. Campfirmation is fun and it can fill up quickly. I cannot ensure that late applicants will be able to attend.

SUMMER MISSION TRIP:

Let’s get excited…. more information to come out soon!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL:

I would love to see our High School Youth get involved and volunteering with Vacation Bible Study this year. This gives them the opportunity to make a difference in the children of the congregation. Please fill out this application using the link below, 6th grade-12th grade are HIGHLY ENCURAGED TO APPLY! If you have additional question please ask out Children's Ministry Director Shannon Fosset. (Sfossett@desertcross.org)

SENIOR NIGHT:

April 20th, 2022 the high school seniors and I were invited to University Lutheran Church to participate in the Lutheran Campus Ministry Wednesday night dinner and service. This is a great opportunity for our seniors to see what it’s like to be apart of a congregation as a college student. They will have the opportunity to meet with the college students, ask questions, and find out what it’s all about. We thank Pastor Gary at University Lutheran Church LCM for inviting us!

I WOULD LOVE TO GET TO KNOW YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS FEEL FREE TO MESSAGE ME THOUGH BAND WITH QUESTION OR STOP BY MY OFFICE.

I know that all of this is a lot of information. It’s almost like drinking out of a fire hose. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Blessings,

Katelyn Williamson- Director of Youth and Family Ministry

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