Youth Ministry

Inspiring joyful faith; Building a loving community; Serving Neighbors Near and Far

Good Sam’s youth programs provide an all welcoming, safe place for middle & high school students to gather, explore their faith, ask questions, form friendships and serve the community.

GOOD SAMARITAN FAMILY NEWSLETTER, March 22, 2024


 

Youth Sunday School

Sundays, 10:15am

Confirmation Class 2024

  • Our retreat is scheduled for April 19-21, 2024, at the St. Croix YMCA Camp.
  • Two opportunities:
        • March 20, 6:00 pm – “Taking Heart – Conversations about Ramadan”
          Taking Heart is a long-running program coordinated by MCC and the Muslim American Society of Minnesota (MAS-MN) to bring Christians and members of other faith communities together with Muslims for food and conversation during Ramadan. Ramadan is a blessed month of the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the “five pillars” of Islam and is performed to learn piety, self-restraint, compassion, and generosity. This event is a great way to meet and learn from our Muslim neighbors about Islam. We are excited about this opportunity! Family members are welcome to attend as well. If you need a ride, you can meet at Good Samaritan UMC at 5:15 pm, or you can meet us at the site at 5:55 pm.
        • April 6, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm – Sacred Sites Tour
          Healing Minnesota Stories is an effort to create understanding and healing between Native American and non-Native people, particularly those in various faith communities. Native people have suffered deep trauma over many years, losing their land, language, and culture, and all who call Minnesota home are the lesser for it. While many people and institutions contributed to that trauma, it happened with the full participation of Christian churches. We all still need healing. Healing is doable and churches have a role to play in that healing. Tours are led by Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs (Mohican) and Kelly Sherman Conroy (Oglala Lakota). The tours offer an opportunity to learn about Minnesota history from a Native perspective through story-telling and experiencing the sites in silence/mediation/reflection. We will meet at Good Sam at 9:00 am and carpool to the sites together. If you are unable to attend on April 6, there is an additional date of April 7 that Jan can send you the sign-up for. Again, we will talk about this experience at the confirmation retreat, so please be there.
        • If you are interested in chaperoning either of these events let Jan know.  952-452-9398 or jan@good.org

Parent Book Study– The Emotional Lives of Teenagers by Lisa Damour. Sundays, April 14 and 28, 11:15 am to Noon. This is a great book that Jan read and wants to share with you. The first session will cover chapters 1 to 3 and the second session will cover chapters 5 and 6. Dr. Damour dives deep into the changing emotional landscape of kids growing into their teen emotions. She offers great tools for both parents and their kids. Click here to sign up!

Parent Check-In: Jan is still calling families! She is looking forward to speaking with you. It will be a short 10 to 15-minute conversation. Thanks for your insight!

Palm Parade: Sunday, March 24, at 9:45am. Meet in the Fireside Room if you would like to be in the parade.

Planning ahead! 

    • Vacation Bible School – June 24-28, 2024
    • Adaptive Bible Camp July 29 – August 1 2024

Learn More

Appalachia Service Project (ASP)

Making Homes Warmer, Safer, Drier, Transforming Lives

2024 will mark Good Samaritan’s 43rd year of participation in ASP. The need in the Appalachia area has not diminished and neither has our commitment to serving the wonderful people in that area.

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 at AMANOLIS@MAC.COM or  Jan Russell at JAN@GOOD.ORG.

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Confirmation: 9th Grade

Confirmation Class 2024

  • 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! Jan will be calling families this week to check in. If you know of a family that would be interested in this program, let Jan know!

Click on the links to download our sign up and health forms or to learn more about our youth programs:

Join Our Reconciling United Methodist Church

Join Good Samaritan in Edina for inclusive and inspiring faith! If you’d like to visit our LGBTQIA-friendly Methodist church, contact us today. We look forward to welcoming you into our vibrant and compassionate community!

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