Next Gen Ministry Guide | Summer 2024

NEXT GEN

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

General Information

FOR KIDS

18 MO.–GRADE 5

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a week full of kids and volunteers singing, playing, laughing and learning about Jesus. Our theme this year is God’s Treasure. We will explore five of Jesus’ parables with the help of a talented and curious theatre troupe, and learn about a treasure that God holds dear: his people!

We have two programs:

YOUNG KIDS VBS

1 session:

9:30–11:00 am at Mill Run Campus

Ages 18 months through PreK attend with a caregiver

BIG KIDS VBS

2 sessions:

9:00 am–12:00 pm & 1:00–4:00 pm at Mill Run Campus

Kids who have finished kindergarten through fifth grade

Sign up early to guarantee your child’s spot at VBS this year. Early Bird Registration: Register by May 26, the price is $15 for Big Kids, $10 for Young Kids. On May 27 the price goes up to $25 for Big Kids and $15 for Young Kids.

 Visit www.ualc.org/vbs

 Email youth@ualc.org

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Adult Volunteers for VBS

We need about 300 volunteers to help us put on this amazing week for kids! Join in the fun by volunteering for various roles, including classroom teachers, cooks, resource prepping, set decorations, hospitality, store volunteers and the art team.

Teen Helpers for VBS Grades 6 through 12

Vacation Bible School isn’t just for kids — it’s for all ages! Teens who have completed grades 6–12 have the opportunity to serve children and show them the love of Christ at VBS! There are so many ways to serve at either Big Kids VBS or Young Kids VBS — from volunteering in a classroom, to helping lead games, to leading kids in songs and skits.

 Visit www.ualc.org/vbs

 Email youth@ualc.org

MINIST

Join Kids Ministry this summer as we learn about Jesus and enjoy the warm weather. Kids will be involved in church worship services and events, such as Vacation Bible School in June and Kids Camp in July.

 For more information on any of these events, contact Melissa Davis at mdavis@ualc.org or Tonya Riedel at triedel@ualc.org.

WORSHIP FOR KIDS

Summer 2024

Kids who have completed Kindergarten–fifth grade are invited to participate in “Big Church” during the summer months. This is a special time in which many aspects of the worship service are adapted to invite children to see that church is for them, and that they are an incredibly important part of the church family. Each week, our pastors, staff, and volunteers craft engaging sermons and activities that draw children into the worship services and help them see Jesus’ love for them.

KIDS CONNECT

Kids Connect is an opportunity for kids who have completed Kindergarten–fifth grade to get together and share a meal and activity time with their friends and Kids Ministry leaders. Join us for two very special summer time Kids Connects on Mondays, June 10 and July 8, from 6:00–7:30 pm. Cost: $10. Sign-ups will be available on ualc.org/kids a month prior to each event.

KIDS CAMP

JULY

20–24

Join us for a fun, faith-formational overnight camp for kids completing grades 2–5. We spend five-days, four-nights at Woodland Lakes Christian Camp in Amelia, Ohio. Friendship and fun are fostered through outdoor activities such as swimming, paddle boating, conquering a climbing wall and much more. Engage in large group worship services with teaching, music, and games, as well as small group discussions. Our trained staff will guarantee an unforgettable week! UALC members, non-members, and friends are welcome! Registration Deadline: June 30.

 Learn more and join the fun at www.ualc.org/camps

MIDDLE SCHOOL MINISTRY

Join this awesome community of middle school students and leaders this summer! Here at UALC’s Middle School Ministry (MSM) we long to see students thrive in their faith, relationships, and fun! This summer will be full of high energy, tons of fun, great fellowship, and deepening our relationships with God. MSM summer events are open to all students who have completed grades 6–8. We hope to see you around this summer!

Contact Mary Kate Hipp at mhipp@ualc.org for more information on these events.

SUMMER FELLOWSHIP

DATES TBA

New!

This summer we are diving deep into the book of John! We will gather at Mary Kate’s house for games, fellowship, dinner, and Bible study. Check ualc.org/msm for updates. We can’t wait to learn more about Scripture with you!

MISSION TRIP

Location/home TBD

The Middle School Mission Trip is an amazing experience where we serve around the city of Columbus and see what God is up to in our very own communities. We will serve in lots of different locations over three days. It’s an unforgettable experience where students learn the meaning of Kingdom work and serving our neighbors! This is a great opportunity for students to grow in their relationships with one another. Parents are more than welcome to serve with us.

Cost: $40. Scholarships available. Registration deadline: June 1.

 Register online at ualc.org/middleschool

MSM CAMP

JULY 16–20

Woodland Lakes Christian Camp

Join us for the best week of the year at MSM camp. We will travel to Woodland Lakes Christian Camp in Amelia, OH. This week is jam-packed with fun team challenges, games, skits, ziplines, obstacle courses, fellowship, teaching and worship, a trip to King’s Island, and so much more! Throughout the week students will grow in their relationship with God and others. You will not want to miss this transformational experience. Cost: $375. Scholarships available. Registration deadline: July 1. All payments due by July 5.

 Register online at ualc.org/camps

END-OF-SUMMER POOL PARTY

Join us at our end-of-summer celebratory pool party from 6:00-8:00 pm. Come swim, hang out, and eat snacks with us. Invite friends! Location is TBA, check the website for details.

 Register online at ualc.org/msm.

AUG 9

Are you interested in learning about what our school-year ministry for middle schoolers is all about? Whether you’re a rising sixth grader, new to UALC, or new to the community, Mary Kate would be happy to answer your questions. You can email her at mhipp@ualc.org, or visit the middle school ministries web page: ualc.org/msm.

FALL KICK OFF

AUG 18

Join us as we kick off the school year and the ministry year in an awesome event full of fun, games, and dinner! This event is the start of our weekly routine of meeting every Sunday from 4:00–6:00 pm at our Mill Run Campus for youth group. Come check it out, and bring a friend along too!

HIGH SCHOOL MINISTRY

This summer, high schoolers can look forward to serving together, hanging together, and growing together. Students have opportunities to serve at: Kids or MSM camp, at VBS, on our mission trip, or with our local mission partners. We also have a lot of fun during the summer with our trips to Cedar Point, kayaking, and hanging out around Columbus. If you’d like to be a part of a Jesus-centered community of students who help and care for each other, and serve others, we’d love for you to join us. HSM summer events are for all students who have competed grades 9-12, unless otherwise noted.

 For more information on these events, contact Steve Almquist at salmquist@ualc.org.

Get ready to plunge into a summer full of fun and friendship! Amazing food, swimming, volleyball, and more are just some of the fun happening at the Summer Kick-Off Pool Party at Lilly’s Pool-Upper Arlington. We will leave Mill Run at 12:30 pm and return at 4:00 pm. Cost: $5.

MISSION TRIP

Niagara Falls

This summer High School Ministry will be serving in Niagara Falls, NY. While you know Niagara Falls the tourist destination, do you know the city of Niagara Falls? It is a small urban city of 48,000, that has some very real needs. While in NY we will be serving alongside other ministries and organizations in the community to be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus. Join us this summer and see how God also works in your heart through this powerful serving experience. Cost: $550. Scholarship available.

 Sign up at ualc.org/hsm

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

JUNE 19

Our Juneteenth Cookout & Movie Night will take place on June 19, 6:30–9:30 pm at the Fisher’s House (contact Steve Almquist for address). Join us for a night of fun, games, and great food, but also a time of celebrating freedom and remembering those who did not experience it soon enough. We will have amazing movie snacks and trivia while watching the movie “Harriet.”

CEDAR POINT

JULY 12–13

Whether your ride style is wild, mild, or in-between, this is a trip designed for you. This year we’re spending the night! We will leave Mill Run Campus at 7:30 am on Friday, and return Saturday at 3:00 pm. The cost is $80, which includes park admission, all meals from Friday lunch through Saturday lunch, overnight stay and travel. Summer evenings at Cedar Point can get chilly, so it’s a good idea to bring a sweatshirt along with your overnight clothes.

MUCK OLYMPICS

JULY 26

Athletes of all abilities from amazing to none compete in the arena of mess for the title of Muck Champion. Only one team wins but all have an amazing time. Come ready to compete, have a great time, and get messy! July 26, 6:30–9:30 pm. Mill Run Campus.

KAYAKING

4

Kayaking at Trapper John’s in Grove City is one of the most fun things you can do in the summer. High School students and incoming ninth graders, make sure you sign up now! 12:30–5:00 pm. Meet at Mill Run Campus. Cost: $15. (Please bring a lunch or eat before.)

HSM KICK OFF

18

HSM meets on Sunday nights from 4:00–6:00 pm at the Mill Run Campus during the school year. Each week the focus will be on connection, going deeper in God’s Word, relationships in small groups, sharing dinner, and having fun doing it all. Don’t miss the kick off of another awesome year!

FAMILY CAMP

Cedar Bay

JULY 2–AUG 2

A summer experience that has something for everyone! Come and relax on the beautiful waters of Lake Huron in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, surrounded by tranquil woods. This camp offers dedicated Bible teaching time for every age group, from infants to adults, led by members of UALC. There is also plenty of time to relax, play games, hang out, and engage in the many camp activities such as sailing, swimming, boating, hiking, beach volleyball, and more! Come with your nuclear family, your extended family, or get a group of friends together to join in this week of rest, fellowship, and time with God. If camp is full, you may join the wait list.

 Register at ualc.org/camps.

MINISTRY LEADERS

Kelsey Bacon

Next Generation Ministries Director kbacon@ualc.org

Melissa Davis

Kids Ministry Director (LR) mdavis@ualc.org

Tonya Riedel

Kids Ministry Director (MR) triedel@ualc.org

Mary Kate Hipp

Middle School Ministry Director mhipp@ualc.org

Steve Almquist

High School Ministry Director salmquist@ualc.org

www.ualc.org

In Next Generation Ministries, we work together as a community of faith to walk alongside kids from birth through high school. Each phase of life has its unique opportunities to see and know God in new ways, and we’ve designed every aspect of our ministries to provide faith-building experiences for kids.

Upper Arlington Lutheran Church