Not Giving Up on our Youth

“Remember your creator in the days of your youth”

Ecclesiastes 12:1

Greetings Friends,

When I came to New Wappetaw, I had a plan for growing the church without overwhelming the session and the congregation. We took things slowly starting with WORSHIP (new format for bulletins, having liturgists, having three very talented leaders for the time with children, starting the greeting time, and most importantly having communion once a month) then BUILDING AND GROUNDS (think back at all the improvements we have made in the last three years) then focusing on MISSIONS (asking the congregation to do more than just write checks) then FINANCES (our capable leaders allowed us to have those dreaded stewardship seasons) then FELLOWSHIP (Is there a church anywhere who does food better than New Wappetaw??) then the CEMETERY under Huger McClellan both cemeteries runs smoothly with no oversight, then NURTURE (we do a great job taking care of our congregation) and finally CHRISTIAN EDUCATION…the REAL CHALLENGE!!

We are blessed with very faithful leaders for children’s church, for the children’s choir and for the community bible school we host every third year. Last year we had five students in our confirmation class, but we have very few older teenagers.

I have been praying and seeking advice from other church leaders, and I think we could have a great middle school/early high school youth group… but it needs good leadership and a purpose. I have some ideas but one thing a youth group does not need is an old pastor hanging around.

After worship Sunday I had some folks interested in helping with this very special ministry, so I am asking everyone to be praying about first steps as we move forward. We do not want to start without a really solid game plan. We have funds available and I have some ideas, but I would like everyone’s input.

If you missed worship Sunday, it was a very special day as we baptized baby William Palmer. We are so blessed to have these young families who have joined our church, but keep in mind all these children we have will grow up soon and we need to be ready to nurture them in the faith as they grow older! Thank you for all you ALL do to support our ministry.

Blessings,

Mike

• Refreshments on the lawn – We will have refreshments on the lawn after the service on Oct. 18th.
• Mission Team Meal – The mission team will be delivering a meal to the Citadel on Oct. 19th
• Church Workday – A church workday will be held on Saturday, October 24th.
• Session Meeting – The Elders will have their monthly session meeting on Oct. 26th
• Halloween Candy – Please donate candy for our annual Halloween festivities. Candy will be collected up to Oct. 31^st .
• College Students – Please turn in your students address to Beth Gannon
• Church Directory – Copies of the church directory are available in the Narthex.