January 2025

New Year, New Plans, Same Goal

I'll admit it; not only have I messed up writing the year multiple times already, the original version of the graphic in this introduction was wrong. Somehow, 2025 is here with a lot of new hopes and concerns we all carry. In it all, we still have the same goal to connect students to Christ as we welcome, grow, serve, and celebrate.

There's a lot more to include on your calendar so please read on, but two events stand out from the jump. First, it's time for another Welcome Night! This special night only happens every two years in our youth ministry as a Bridge cohort completes their cycle and joins the youth ministry. Confirmation in the morning followed by our night together are great ways for our returning students to show up in support of our newest students!

Second, last fall's retreat pivoting has given us the opportunity to do something special in the spring and continue the welcome. During Presidents' Day weekend, we'll be holding an in-town retreat weekend focusing on, as we have all school year, our Identity in Christ. Aspects of the weekend will reflect and point towards the three core values of our youth ministry: 1) Asking hard questions to learn about God; 2) Reaching others with what we've been given; and 3) Loving everyone we meet both near and far. To really make the most of this weekend, our older students are going to have the opportunity to make choices about what we do and how we do it as a way to step up into leadership and show our new students what our ministry is about. Our youth have already been part of the conversation and are excited about this opportunity; we have so many students who step up whenever and wherever they're given a chance, and we're truly blessed by this. The cost of this event will hopefully also be a blessing to wallets as we exit the holidays and get ready to soon announce summer trip plans. As always, however, let me know if money is an issue. The generosity and love of our church is such that money never needs to be the reason someone misses out. I encourage both returning and new students to join us for Identity Weekend to grow closer together and to Christ!

I also want to take the time here to thank you. Next week will by my fifth anniversary here, and this past semester gave me even more reason to be thankful for you. For trusting me with your students, for loving what we're doing and coming alongside us, for notes and gifts of encouragement (including the gracious giving for Christmas, thank you!), for volunteering, and doubly for stepping up on short notice to make pancakes and hang out with teens after a kidney stone landed me in the ER. Loving is part of the identity here. Thank you!

-Geoff

Upcoming events

Adults, we need your help for Spring 2025! Click here for our volunteer needs.

January 12: Confirmation Sunday
• Confirmation Service, 10:45am--Join us in worship as we celebrate with those students who will come forward to be confirmed in membership at Parkway Hills! (A brunch in the Youth Suite will happen during Sunday School, and confirmation families and mentors are invited to attend).

• Welcome Night 2025, 5:30-7:30pm--Every two years the current Bridge cohort completes their crossover to the youth ministry with a night in their honor to welcome them! Returning youth, make sure to join us and welcome our newest members! New youth, please confirm your attendance with Geoff.

January 18: Mission & Ministry Day, 9:00am-1:00pm--Twice a year the staff at Parkway Hills gathers with our church family for a time of conversation, dreaming, and planning for the mission and ministry of our church, and it's almost time for our Saturday date. This is a great way for all the members of our church, youth and parents/guardians alike, to join with us in shaping the future. A light breakfast will be provided. Nursery available upon request.

January 26: United, 5:30-7:30pm (hosted at PHUMC)--Last semester we got to go to the very first United, a recurring fellowship and worship night for local UMC youth groups, hosted at Galloway UMC. This time, it's our turn!

February 9: Super Bowl LIX--Big game, big night! Bring a snack to share.

February 14-16: Identity Weekend--Our Spring 2025 spiritual formation weekend is focused on using fun and service to gain a stronger sense of who we are in Christ and to let our older students share our ministry identity with our younger students! Cost: $55, or $45 for additional siblings in the same family thanks to our youth retreat scholarship fund. Contact Geoff if money is an issue; we never want that to be the reason a student misses out. Registration will open tomorrow (Wed., January 8) via the Vanco app as well as our online giving portal and will run through noon on Monday, February 10. Adults, we also have plenty of volunteer needs! This includes drivers, chaperones, and host homes.

April 27: Outdoor Worship and Lunch Fundraiser--Last year was great, so let's do it again! We'll cook out for our church family as a youth fundraiser following the spring worship on the lawn date.

May 4: Baccalaureate Sunday--Mark your calendars now for one of the most special Sundays in the life of our youth ministry.

Scholarships 2025

Graduation is coming for our seniors, which means college is coming right after! Like last year, we'll keep this article block up throughout the spring as new scholarship windows open.

First up, the Methodist Foundation of Mississippi has opened their portal. Deadline: April 1

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PO Box 1721
Madison, MS | 39130 US

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