Youth Ministry Team

The past year was one of fun, excitement, growth, and challenge for youth ministry at Community U.C.C. and Cottage Grove U.C.C.  The Y.A.H.O.O. youth ministry program, a shared venture between CUCC and CGUCC, is now nearly two years old and has proven to be successful on many levels.  Fun activities such as lock-ins, scavenger hunts, bowling, and skiing gave the Y.A.H.O.O. youth a chance to bond and build relationships with one another while mission oriented events such as the C.R.O.P. Walk, delivering care packages to members in need, cleaning up Pilgrim Point camp, and spending a night on the street offered the youth new opportunities to deepen their commitment to ministry and serve both their local churches and the church universal.

One of the main foci of the Y.A.H.O.O. program has been to expand the ministry context of our youth beyond the walls of our local congregations.  In 2005-2006, Michael Euerle and other Y.A.H.O.O. members participated in youth programs sponsored by the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ.  Michael was selected to be a youth representative on the Conference’s Youth Ministry Team and has assisted in the planning of four Conference Youth Events.  Bryan Olson currently serves as an adult advisor on the Conference YMT and has had the privilege to watch Michael and other U.C.C. youth from around the state become leaders in the faith.  Last October, Michael and Bryan traveled to Moorhead, MN to attend the Fall CYE.  During that retreat, the youth participated in a full weekend of workshops and worship experiences revolving around the theme of labels and bullying.  In February, Marcus Cherry and Daniel Wohlers got their first taste of a CYE when they, along with Bryan, attended the annual winter retreat in Hutchinson, MN.  That event focused on issues surrounding the history and identity of the United Church of Christ.

The Youth Ministry Team will continue to focus on expanding the ministry context of our youth in 2006 through a mission trip experience to Alamosa, Colorado in June, a Regional U.C.C. Youth Event in July, and also through “Building Bridges,” a special diversity education program that will begin in 2006 and end in the summer of 2007.  All of these experiences are being developed to assist our youth in understanding how to serve Christ and minister with others in God’s diverse and unique creation. 

The YMT would like to thank all of the members of both CUCC and CGUCC for their support of the Y.A.H.O.O. youth ministry program.  Your participation in our worship, work, and fundraising activities demonstrates your commitment to helping our youth grow in their faith and commitment to Christ.  Thanks again for your nurture and support.

Respectfully submitted,

Bryan W. Olson, Youth Pastor