Inspiring joyful faith; Building a loving community; Serving Neighbors Near and Far
Good Sam’s youth programs provide a safe place for middle & high school students to gather, explore their faith, ask questions, form friendships and serve the community. We welcome all youth in the LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent communities.
Good Samaritan Family Newsletter, December 20, 2024
Youth Ministry
Wednesday Night Youth Group (6th – 12th grade)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in Rooms 200, 201
- December 18 – Cookie Baking
- December 24 – 4pm – Family Christmas Eve Service! Featuring the book Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie dePaola. The birds are abuzz with news of strange happenings. Come join us for an interactive bird’s eye view of the Nativity.
- December 25 and January 1 – Christmas Day and New Year’s Day! – No Youth Group
Save the Date: Vacation Bible Camp – “Road Trip” June 23-27, 2025,
Participants 4 years old – 4th grade. Youth volunteers 5th grade – 12th grade.
Save the Date: Appalachia Service Project – July 12-20, 2025
Save the Date: Adaptive Bible Camp – August 4-7, 2025
Traditional bible camp adapted for kids with learning and physical differences. Youth volunteers 7th grade – 12th grade.
Appalachia Service Project (ASP)
Making Homes Warmer, Safer, Drier, Transforming Lives
2025 will mark Good Samaritan’s 44th year of participation in ASP, traveling to a location in Appalachia to help make critical repairs to a family’s home. Since COVID, the number of ASP volunteers has decreased, but the need in Appalachia has not diminished and neither has our commitment to serving the wonderful peo- ple of this area. We welcome youth who have completed 8th grade on up, college students/ young adults, and any other interested adults. Church membership or construction experi- ence are not requirements. Gather friends and family and join us as we repair homes, develop relationships, and build hope. If interested, please email Jan at jan@good.org so we can add you to our email list. Our 2025 trip dates are to be determined.
According to the ASP website, “each year, more than 15,000 volunteers serve with ASP, providing critical repairs for more than 350 families.” Projects can include roofing, flooring, shoring up foundations, digging drainage ditches, making rooms or homes wheel-chair accessible, or other projects that help make homes warmer, safer, and drier. In addition to building and improving homes, ASP is also a relational ministry for both the families we serve as well as those serving.
This ministry is about lifting the spirits of Appalachian families and reminding them that God’s love knows no boundaries. In the process of putting your faith in action, God acts in your heart. And when you change the lives of others, they have a way of changing you.
All students who have completed the 8th grade or higher are invited to serve with families in Central Appalachia. Students who are not members of or otherwise affiliated with Good Samaritan church are also invited to participate in the ASP trip. Bring a friend.
For more information contact Amy Manolis or Jan Russell.
Confirmation Class
Confirmation Class (8th grade and older)
- Historically Confirmation was for students in 9th grade. We are now going to open it up to anyone 8th grade and older. When a student enters 8th grade they will be eligible to register for Confirmation, and they will remain eligible all the way through High school. This way you can choose when the right time for your family is to participate in Confirmation. Maybe that means waiting in order to allow siblings to attend together, maybe that means waiting for an academic year that is less demanding, maybe your student isn’t interested as an 8th grader but will become interested as they get older. Whatever the case may be, we want to make this program more accessible! If you know of a family that would be interested in this program, let Jan know!
Children, Youth and Family Advisory Board
The Children, Youth and Families Advisory Council provide input into events, programming and the physical space that welcomes our new and existing families. The Council meets quarterly. If you’d like to participate, contact Jan to learn more!