5TH

5^TH – 8^TH GRADE

For activities these grades are divided into 5^th-6^th and 7^th-8^th.
Each group has it’s own adult leaders who work with the youth, while the whole program is overseen by the Youth Coordinator
All are part of The Lutheran Club (TLC)

SUNDAY SCHOOL

5^th – 6^th graders have Sunday school from 9 AM – 10:15 AM. However, their format is different from the younger grades. They usually have discussions that center around a bible passage or parable, or issues that age group may be facing.

7^th and 8^th graders meet for Sunday school from 9 AM – 10:15 AM every Sunday. Their format is similar to that of the 5th - 6th graders however, they meet separately. From time to time this group will take a break from talking to go out to breakfast.

CONFIRMATION (5^TH – 8^TH GRADES)

Confirmation is for grades 5^th – 8^th. Classes are held on Wednesday nights 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM. They run from September – November and January - February. The youth are usually required to turn in at least 2 sermon notes from the Wednesday Advent services (December) and Lenten services (February, March).
All confirmation students are required to turn in at least 12 sermon notes per school year. These are counted and recorded on a chart in the youth area where the youth can see their progress.
New in 2001 – All confirmation students must spend at least 10 hours doing service work per school year. The hours are broken down into three groups: 4 hours on their own, 3 hours with the confirmation small group and 3 hours with their family. These hours are also logged on a chart in the youth area so the youth can see their progress.
5^th – 8^th graders are put on a rotating schedule for being an acolyte and communion tray holder. This generally works out to be about once every 2 months.
Junior High Prayer Friend: All 7^th & 8^th graders are paired up with an adult member of the congregation who will offer support for their youth through prayer. These adults will also send a card from time to time reminding the youth that someone other than parents are praying for them. The youth will not know who their prayer friend is until the day they are confirmed.
8^th graders are confirmed in September or October of their 9^th grade year.

CAMP

5^th – 6^th graders are encouraged to attend camp at Pine Lake (near Waupaca, WI)
7^th graders are required to attend confirmation camp at Pine Lake (near Waupaca, WI)
8th graders have the option of going to camp. (They can go both years if they wish).

YOUTH SERVICE

These grades also have the opportunity to participate in the youth service, which is usually in the Fall or Spring. Each Confirmation small group is assigned a part for the service (readings, skits, ushering, prayers etc.) Practice usually starts about 6 weeks prior to the service and the youth are asked to attend all scheduled practices.

ACTIVITIES

5^th – 6^th graders generally have an activity planned every 2 months or so. Some of the things they have done include: hiking, Junior High Synod Youth Gathering, playing mini-golf, campfires and hayrides, and ½ a night lock-in. Each activity is set up so that all who come will be a part of the group. Friends are also welcome at most events.

7^th – 8^th graders generally have an activity planned every 1 ½ months or so. These events have included: campouts, Junior High Synod Youth Gathering, a lock-in at the church, scavenger hunt. Friends are also welcome at most events. These events are enough different so the 5^th and 6^th graders have something to look forward to.

HIGH SCHOOL 9^TH – 12^TH GRADE

SUNDAY SCHOOL

During the school year the kids meet on Sunday’s from 9 AM – 10:15 AM for discussion. Topics include issues teens are facing today, the bible, and current events. This is a time and place where the youth can feel comfortable, accepted, not judged and welcomed. This group meets September – May.

YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES

Sharing their talents during Sunday services as readers, ushers, communion servers, or worship leader. This rotates so that you are scheduled about every 2 months.
Grace has different boards that oversee the planning of various activities. As high school youth, they have the opportunity to be on any board they are interested in.

Early in 2002 we started a Youth Leadership Team. This group of selected youth will help design the Youth Ministry, plan events, contact other youth and learn leadership

CAMP

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Events and activities for the LL are usually once a month. In the past they have gone on a weekend college trip, worked at a soup kitchen, skiing, help build a Habitat for Humanity home, bowling, canoeing the Boundary Waters, attended the weekend Synod Youth Gathering in Manatowoc, WI. They also have the opportunity to attend the National Youth Gathering which takes place every 3 years. 20-30 thousand youth from all over the country meet to celebrate and praise God together. St. Louis and Atlanta are two places it has been held in the past. Friends are also welcome at most events and activities.
They will receive flyers that inform them about upcoming events and activities.
E-mails are also sent to remind the youth of events

FUNDRAISERS

From time to time the LL will have a fundraiser to help defray the cost of an upcoming or future event. We do a lot of fundraising for the National Youth Gathering trip as it can get expensive.