The youth of First Church, and all of the adults that work with them and for
them, are truly blessed to have Rev. Chris Mereschuk on board as our new
Associate Pastor for Youth Ministries. The second consecutive year of transition
for our youth programs has truly been a joyful and exciting accomplishment for
all involved. Chris hit the ground running at Rally Day and as we near the end
of his first program year, our youth, advisers and board have rallied round him.
Now that Chris has ridden the fast moving train that is youth at First Church
through its year, we are happily anticipating how he will enhance our programs
as he adds more of his personal touch next year. Preparations for Mission Trip
2009 to New Orleans in February will be the main focus.
Highlights of the Year
Rally Day found registrations and enthusiasm up as the Junior High
Fellowship had fun and games at Academy Field and the Senior High Fellowship had
a barbecue at the Blish Park beach pavilion in Marlborough. Both groups learned
that the tradition of silly and WET games will be ably carried on by Chris!
Thanks to Sylvia and Earl Thompson for securing such a great location for our
Senior High Fellowship.
Apple Harvest Festival was our most successful yet. The team work among
youth and adults and the community awareness that happens are just as important
as the money that we raise for our mission trips. It seems to be our board’s
favorite event! Thanks to Amy Potter and the many, many hands that got it all
done!
Halloween Party for the congregation and residents of shelters in
Hartford was a great service project for our Senior High Fellowship. Thanks to
George Purtill for the hayride!
Silent Auction provided the congregation with a Christmas shopping
opportunity thanks to all of the generous donations from our members and some
Glastonbury businesses. Thanks to Sue Sit and Tracey Mitchell for chairing this
event even though they were no longer on the board!
Christmas Pageant was enjoyed by young and old as this tradition continues to
evolve even though the story stays the same.
Pancake Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt was, as always, sponsored by the
Junior High Fellowship as their first fundraiser toward the mission trips that
await them when they move on to the Senior High Fellowship. It is a wonderful
event for the families of First Church. Thanks to Nanci Liscinsky and Bob
Ferrante for keeping things running smoothly and our pancake flippers, Bruce
Lester, Al Reid, Chris Hernandez and Bruce Fleahman!
Heads Up! Hartford found more than 20 of our youth and adult
volunteers carrying on First Church’s involvement in spite of Denny’s absence.
Chris will take up the charge on this year’s mission week in Hartford.
Retreats
The Senior High and Junior High Fellowships have been on retreats this year
with Chris in the lead. These retreats serve to knit our Fellowships together
with fun, fellowship, lessons, discussions and worship and help prepare them to
depend on one another on their mission trips. The Senior High Fellowship also
experienced an overnight Good Friday Vigil at the church and then sleepily
enjoyed the Pancake Breakfast. Our Senior High Fellowship will spend Memorial
Day Weekend on Cape Cod with the recognition of graduating seniors being the
main theme.
Scholarship
The Faith and Faithfulness Award for graduating seniors is our way of
recognizing those members who are confirmed and active in First Church
activities, thanking them for their contributions to their church,
congratulating them on graduation and wishing them “God speed” on their life
journey.
Confirmation
Congratulations to this year’s confirmation class as they confirm their
baptism and become full members of this church.
Board Acknowledgement
It has been a pleasure to be back on the Board of Youth Ministry after a few
years off. It has been said that energy is wasted on the young but at First
Church the energy of our youth must be contagious, as our board members and
advisers have all the energy it takes to provide these programs for them. It has
been a blessing to me to work with such a devoted group as we have helped Chris
launch his ministries with our young people. The success of all of our programs
rests on the team work of all of the adults involved. Individuals serve on the
following committees but all are united in the success of every aspect and event
that we are responsible for.
Confirmation Site & Transportation Training/Safe Church
Kim Rettstatt Melissa Clair Kim Rettstatt
Gary Hokunson David LaFargue Lynne Montgomery
Fellowships Mission & Service Parent Involvement
Jessica Sit Jeff Dowd Amy Potter
Will Bancroft David LaFargue
Lynne Montgomery Nanci Liscinsky Scholarships
John McNab
Thank you to all of our board members, official and unofficial, current and
past, and all of the spouses who pitched in for a very successful year. Thank
you to all the parents who volunteer for our events. Special thanks to all of
the adult advisers to our fellowships for their time, talents and devotion to
our programs. Thank you to Chris Mereschuk for so ably carrying on the tradition
of excellence in youth programs here at First Church.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynne Montgomery
