What Does our Teen Program Look Like in 2021?
Harris County is now in Threat Level Two (Significant Threat - Orange) because of the Covid 19 pandemic. At this level, residents are instructed to "minimize all contacts unless fully-vaccinated". At Woodforest Presbyterian Church are cautiously resuming pre-pandemic activities. During this phase, we still advise masks and social distancing to protect each other.
Our Teen Class is currently meeting in-person. each Sunday from 11:15am to 12noon during the month of December. We are studying “The Heart That Grew Three Sizes: Finding Faith in the Story of the Grinch" by Matt Rawle. The famous story by Dr. Seuss (How the Grinch Stole Christmas) goes beyond the obvious message of "Maybe Christmas... doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!" This classic children's story also contains important messages about forgiveness, reconciliation, and gathering together in peace.
Teens at Woodforest Presbyterian Church attend CONFIRMATION CLASS to explore both the inward and outward expressions of their faith. Our teens learn about the Bible, about prayer, about the Sacraments, about the Trinity, about grace, and about worship. They learn about the Presbyterian denomination and about the history of our own congregation. They then apply this faith and knowledge in service to their church and community. At the conclusion of confirmation class, students are examined by the Session and welcomed as full members of the church.
Along the way, Jr. and Sr. High students attend an annual youth retreat called CONCLAVES. Typically held at Camp Cho-Yeh in Livingston, TX. This youth-led event draws young Presbyterian from throughout SE Texas, and includes worship, Bible study, a mission project, and the ever-popular high-ropes course. In 2021, Conclaves will be April 9-11, 2021. April 9 and 11 will be held virtually via Zoom, and the 10th will be held in person on the grounds of the Presbytery offices. Mask are required. We are all excited to transition back to this great teen event.
Once every three years, Sr. High students travel to the campus of Purdue University in Indiana for TRIENNIUM. At this national/international retreat, students will again worship and study with other Presbyterian youth from the around the country and overseas.
The photo below shows Conclaves 2021. This hybrid event was partly Zoom meetings plus one all-day session held out-of-doors with masks and social distancing. We all agreed that the pre-pandemic, three-day event at Camp Cho-Yeh was more fun, but our teens still had a very meaningful youth retreat! We found it more important to be "present, rather than perfect!"
Along the way, Jr. and Sr. High students attend an annual youth retreat called CONCLAVES. Typically held at Camp Cho-Yeh in Livingston, TX. This youth-led event draws young Presbyterian from throughout SE Texas, and includes worship, Bible study, a mission project, and the ever-popular high-ropes course. In 2021, Conclaves will be April 9-11, 2021. April 9 and 11 will be held virtually via Zoom, and the 10th will be held in person on the grounds of the Presbytery offices. Mask are required. We are all excited to transition back to this great teen event.
Once every three years, Sr. High students travel to the campus of Purdue University in Indiana for TRIENNIUM. At this national/international retreat, students will again worship and study with other Presbyterian youth from the around the country and overseas.
The photo below shows Conclaves 2021. This hybrid event was partly Zoom meetings plus one all-day session held out-of-doors with masks and social distancing. We all agreed that the pre-pandemic, three-day event at Camp Cho-Yeh was more fun, but our teens still had a very meaningful youth retreat! We found it more important to be "present, rather than perfect!"
When we resume meeting in person, the photos below show examples of our varied teens activities:
When we resume meeting in person, the photos below show examples of our varied teens activities:
