55 Pleasant Ave., Lancaster, NY 14086
O: (716) 683-8972 C: (716) 465-1321 F: (716) 681-5822
organic-youth.org @OrganicYouthWNY
A ministry supported by Lutheran Charities of WNY & St. John’s Lutheran Home for Children
LIVING, Reaching IN GOD’S LOVE
Update to St. John’s Lutheran Home for Children Board
January 14, 2016
Highlights since last update:
Programs:
o 1st-5th Grade Christmas Party (December 12): Just 4 youth, but a great afternoon of Christmas-themed
games, crafts, snacks and devotions
o “Winter on the Town” senior high skate at Canalside (January 3): 8 youth ventured out for a great
afternoon of skating and cocoa back at Holy Trinity, Buffalo
o Side note: it’s extremely difficult to pin down many youth during the holidays, as reflected in attendance
numbers.
Senior High Leadership Team:
o Our monthly meetings continue to be going really well with attendance (12-16 per meeting so far),
enthusiasm, and productivity. We have been focusing on improving our leadership “fundamentals.”
o Leadership Team Christmas overnight (December 18-19): 14 attended a night of fun, friends, and
moving Christmas devotions
Satellite programs:
o North: Ben Stahl leading bi-weekly youth group times with “ROCK” for the school year.
o Northtowns: Alexa Hutchinson continues working with confirmation and elementary-age youth.
Upcoming activities:
Programs:
o Buffalo Mission Trip (January 15-17)
o Volleyball Marathon (February 26-27)
o Peer Ministry, suicide prevention training programs (coming in March)
o Chicago Mission Trip (April 9-13)
Senior High Leadership Team:
o Monthly meetings, trainings, team-building activities and leading programs will continue throughout the
school year.
Satellite programs:
o North: Ben continues with “ROCK”, their bi-weekly youth group gatherings.
o Northtowns: Alexa continues work with their confirmation program, and has several youth and
intergenerational programs happening.
o Both Satellites are combining for an overnight lock-in at First English, Lockport (January 29-30)
Other:
o Rick will be attending the 2016 ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza in Anaheim, Calif. (February 5-8)
Respectfully Submitted,
Rick MG
O: (716) 683-8972 C: (716) 465-1321 F: (716) 681-5822
organic-youth.org @OrganicYouthWNY
A ministry supported by Lutheran Charities of WNY & St. John’s Lutheran Home for Children
LIVING, Reaching IN GOD’S LOVE
Update to St. John’s Lutheran Home for Children Board
January 14, 2016
Highlights since last update:
Programs:
o 1st-5th Grade Christmas Party (December 12): Just 4 youth, but a great afternoon of Christmas-themed
games, crafts, snacks and devotions
o “Winter on the Town” senior high skate at Canalside (January 3): 8 youth ventured out for a great
afternoon of skating and cocoa back at Holy Trinity, Buffalo
o Side note: it’s extremely difficult to pin down many youth during the holidays, as reflected in attendance
numbers.
Senior High Leadership Team:
o Our monthly meetings continue to be going really well with attendance (12-16 per meeting so far),
enthusiasm, and productivity. We have been focusing on improving our leadership “fundamentals.”
o Leadership Team Christmas overnight (December 18-19): 14 attended a night of fun, friends, and
moving Christmas devotions
Satellite programs:
o North: Ben Stahl leading bi-weekly youth group times with “ROCK” for the school year.
o Northtowns: Alexa Hutchinson continues working with confirmation and elementary-age youth.
Upcoming activities:
Programs:
o Buffalo Mission Trip (January 15-17)
o Volleyball Marathon (February 26-27)
o Peer Ministry, suicide prevention training programs (coming in March)
o Chicago Mission Trip (April 9-13)
Senior High Leadership Team:
o Monthly meetings, trainings, team-building activities and leading programs will continue throughout the
school year.
Satellite programs:
o North: Ben continues with “ROCK”, their bi-weekly youth group gatherings.
o Northtowns: Alexa continues work with their confirmation program, and has several youth and
intergenerational programs happening.
o Both Satellites are combining for an overnight lock-in at First English, Lockport (January 29-30)
Other:
o Rick will be attending the 2016 ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza in Anaheim, Calif. (February 5-8)
Respectfully Submitted,
Rick MG