SPRING 2013 MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
SUNDAY NIGHT YOUTH GROUP
Youth group meets from 5:30-7:30. We focus on building community and Christ-Centered friendships
through sharing a meal, conversation, games, and singing. Lessons cover relevant topics and are
engaging and hands-on. We then break into small groups to develop meaningful relationships and learn
from one another.
SPRING 2013 SCHEDULE
Jan 13 – Family Trivia Night
Jan 20 – Youth Group
Jan 27 – No Meeting (Warmth in Winter)
Feb 3 – SUPERBOWLING. 1:30-3:30 pm. Bowling at Franklin Family Entertainment Center.
Feb 10 – Youth Group
Feb 17 – Youth Group
Feb 24 – Chili Cook-Off and Silent Auction 5-8 pm
Mar 3 – Youth Group
Mar 10 – Youth Group
Mar 17 – No Meeting (Youth Sunday)
Mar 24 – No Meeting (Spring Break)
Mar 31 – No Meeting (Easter)
Apr 7 – Special Event: Bring a Friend Night
Apr 14 – Youth Group
Apr 21 – Youth Group
Apr 28 – Youth Group
May 5 – Youth Group – Confirmation Class Welcome
May 12 – No Meeting (Mother’s Day)
May 19 – End of Year Event: Block Party
WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE
We offer several opportunities for you to participate in growing in faith, your relationships with others,
and as a disciple. Our Bible Study is open to all youth. This group focuses on in-depth study and
discussion of scripture and applying the scriptures to life today. Each semester the group studies a
different book of the Bible. Our Discipleship Groups are age and gender based groups that study topics
relevant to the group members. These groups focus on fellowship, developing healthy relationships,
supporting one another, and working through important issues.
Jan 9 – Kick-Off 2013
We meet every Wednesday except: Feb 13 (Ash Wed. Service) Mar 27 (Spring Break)
May 1 – Last meeting of Spring 2013
TRIPS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Experience God, grow in faith, and connect with others through our special events and trips. For more
information including registration, prices, and schedules, please visit our website at www.415youth.com.
Warmth in Winter. January 25-27, 2013
Hosted by the Tennessee Annual Conference, this event brings together over 2000 youth from Middle
Tennessee for worship, workshops, concerts, and more. The event is held at the Embassy Suites in
Murfreesboro, TN and is open to all youth. Registration opens Dec 31, 2012.
Registration is open. Early bird rate is $150 and includes Conference Registration, lodging, food on-site,
and transportation.
Middle School Overnighter. February 8-9, 2013
This one-night “mini-retreat” is for youth in 7-8 grade. It will focus on connecting with one another and
building community. Through this experience, we let down our guard and break down the usual barriers
that keep from getting to know one another. Participants will play games, enjoy an exciting outing, and
have fun staying up late – but hopefully not all night!
Event starts at 7:30 pm. Cost is $20 and includes activities and food. After an opening program, we will
go to Sky High Sports Indoor Trampoline Park 10 pm -12 am. We return to church for snacks, movie, and
spending the night. We will serve a light breakfast. Pick-up youth between 8:00-9:00 am.
Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser: February 24, 2013.
The Chili Cook-Off and Auction is our biggest fundraiser with funds going directly towards offsetting costs
of the summer trips. Participants earn discounts towards fees of sending youth on our awesome summer
experiences.
The event is comprised of three main parts.
1. Chili Cook-Off: Teams consisting of Sunday School classes, families, or groups of friends compete
in a fun competition. Teams prepare and serve chili to attendees who make a donation.
a. To register a team or info contact Patti Corl at pcorl@comcast.net
2. Entertainment: Church members perform various acts including singing, dancing, instrumental
music and more. This generates excitement and provides a lively atmosphere for the auction.
a. Contact Sarah Evins at sevins@franklinfumc.org for info or to sign up.
3. Auction: Donations of items, gifts cards and certificates, and services are auctioned to raise
funds for the youth ministry. Check the youth website for information and tips on securing and
turning in donations. Donations can be turned in to the donation drop off on the Third Floor.
There are many ways you can help prior to and the day of the event. Please check the website for
information or to sign up to get involved.
High School Retreat: March 8-10, 2013
All youth in 9-12 grade are invited to attend this awesome adventure at Deer Run Retreat in Thompson’s
Station, TN. The weekend will be packed with team-builders like ropes courses and paintball, worship,
and plenty of time for fun with friends.
Youth on Mission: 30 Hour Famine. April 12-13.
This event is open to all youth. Participants will fast throughout the event as they learn about hunger
through various exercises and activities, experience being hungry, and serve through mission projects.
We will spend the night at McKendree UMC in the heart of downtown Nashville and do service projects
with Second Harvest Food Bank. We will break our fast with communion followed by a meal at the
church.
Event begins at 6:00 pm on April 12 and ends at 6 pm on April 13.
Youth are able to set their own fast from 24-30 hours. Juice and water will be offered throughout the
experience. Exceptions can be made for medical or health purposes.
Parking Lot Fundraiser for Main Street Festival. April 27.
This fundraiser is a fun way to earn additional credits towards summer trips. All youth and parents can
sign up for one or more shifts.
Confirmation Class
Youth will prepare to take the vow and make the commitment to full church membership. The class
meets at 9:00 am on Sunday mornings Jan 13-May 5. The experience includes two retreats, two Sunday
night gatherings, and some Saturday field trips. Open to all youth who have not been confirmed in the
United Methodist Church. We will also offer a high school class. If you are interested in information,
please let us know.
Praise Band
Lead youth group in worshipping through singing. We need musicians and singers. To join, you must
schedule an assessment and be able to attend rehearsals regularly.
Rehearsal: Wednesdays 5:30-6:20.
Lead Music: Sunday mornings 10:30 am
Servant Leadership Team
Youth apply to be on this team. The team plans, organizes and leads in all aspects of the youth ministry.
Upcoming Meetings are:
Feb 10 – 4:00
Mar 3 – 4:00
Apr 14 – 4:00
May 19 – Prep for End of Year Event
Senior Lunches
A special monthly gathering for our seniors to connect with one another and discuss issues they are
going through as they enter this important transition period.
Feb 3, Mar 3, Apr 7, May 5 11:45-1:30
SUMMER 2013
High School on Mission – Upper Sands Mountain Parish: June 2-8, 2013
For youth in 9-12 grade.
Upper Sand Mountain Parish, located in Sylvania, AL, is a cooperative ministry of eight small
membership, rural United Methodist Churches serving near 1000 square miles of Southern Appalachian
Alabama. The cooperative seeks to strengthen member congregations that they may better serve their
members and to provide local and global opportunities for them and others to become involved in
service and community development ministries.
Possible projects that youth will assist with include: repairing low-income homes; gardening and
gleaning vegetables from area fields; maintaining and constructing parish and church facilities; canning
and preserving food at the Better Way Cannery; and assisting with day camps and VBS for area children.
Intergenerational Mission to Guatemala – May 30-June 8, 2013
Youth in 10th grade and older are invited to join the church-wide mission experience. For more
information or to register, contact Rev. Vona Wilson at vwilson@franklinfumc.org
Middle School on Mission – Alabama Rural Ministries: June 16-22, 2013.
All youth in 7/8 grade are invited to attend this mission experience. We will be partnering with Alabama
Rural Ministry, who serves low income families in the Tuskegee, AL community. ARM believes Christ’s
love must be expressed in action to people in need. ARM is a hands-on ministry hosting youth mission
camps and extending Christian love through home repair and children’s ministry.
We will be leading Sonshine Day Camp for 30-40 children ages 5-11. We will do VBS, play games, and
help children with reading and writing. We will also go on a field trip! We may also have the opportunity
to form work teams to serve through home repair.
Beach Retreat. July 19-22, 2013.
Blue Horizon Retreat Center in Panama City Beach, FL
For youth in 7-12 grade.
This spiritual retreat includes worship, small groups, community builders and more! We will grow in our
faith and relationships with one another while experiencing the beauty of the beach and ocean.
Vacation Bible School. June 24-27, 2013.
All youth are invited to help teach, shepherd, and more as Franklin First hosts Bible School for over 300
children.
Music and Arts Week . June 23-29, 2013
All youth are invited to participate in this Jurisdictional Camp offering workshops and performances in
singing, dance, and music at Lake Junaluska, NC.
LOOKING AHEAD
International Mission Trips Summer 2014
We are planning two international trips. These experiences allow youth to expand their world view of
social issues and service. We do not have too many details arranged as of yet, but here is what we are
working on.
Bahamas Methodist Habitat
Bahamas Methodist Habitat is a disaster relief and emergency home repair outreach ministry of the
Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church through which volunteers work together to repair and
build homes for low-income families in the Bahamas. Our goal is to improve the living conditions and
lifestyle for families in need in the Bahamas, while offering transforming experiences for volunteers and
homeowners alike by sharing and receiving the Love of Christ. The hope is that volunteers will return
home with an expanded view of the world and an inspiration for creating ways to be involved in their
own community. Home owners will come through the experience with safe living conditions and
renewed motivation.BMH Serves on the Islands of: Abaco, Andros, Cat Island, Current Island, Eleuthera,
Grand Bahama, Inagua, Harbour Island, Ragged Island, New Providence (Nassau)
This trip is open to youth who will have completed 10th grade through two years out of high school in
summer of 2014.
http://redtiedesigns.com/bmh/
Missions to Mexico – Benito Juarez Children’s Home in Reynosa, Mexico
Since the birth of this vision in 1967, the Benito Juarez Children's Home has ministered to the lives of
more than 3,000 children and youth and cared for their daily physical and spiritual needs. We have
come from a small complex across from the old prison to a 50-acre facility in the country with 10 acres
secured by a 10-foot block wall. There is a 50x100 two-story dorm facility, staff housing, chapel and a
Christian education building. We also have a facility to house groups for short term mission trips. We
encourage church groups to come minister and share Jesus with the kids.
This trip is open to youth who will have completed 9th-12th grade in summer of 2014. This trip offers a
less expensive alternative. Also, the Orphanage is less than 10 miles from the US border, making for a
more comfortable option for some parents. (Although you are 10 miles from the US, there is little US
influence. You are deep in Mexican culture.) Hank has taken groups here over 15 different times.
http://www.missions-to-mexico.org/
YOUTH 2015 – The National Youth Gathering of the UMC
JUNE 24-28, 2015 in Orlando, FL
This event happens every four years and is the largest gathering of UMC youth in the world. Amazing
worship, concerts, workshops, and making friends from all over the world! The event takes place at the
Marriot World Center in Orlando, FL. Put this on your radar in case you want to plan a family Disney
vacation around this event.