In early September, the Bible Binge Club concluded meeting and celebrated our completion of the challenge to read through the entire Bible over the summer. We were so encouraged by how many students took part and finished strong! We resumed our weekly meeting for Sunday Squad where we’ve been tracking along with the sermon series from the book of Matthew – “Jesus Then & Now” – and learning about how Jesus is relevant to us today. We also launched our new Student Leadership Team – a group of students who lean into their God-given strengths to make decisions impacting Youth Ministry – including planning special events (like DNow & the Fall Hoedown), and preparing the Youth Advent Series for Sunday Squad.

To show our appreciation for the ways that they protect and serve our community, and also to show that we have not forgotten the events that took place on September 11, 2001, our teens also put together and delivered care baskets for our local police and fire departments. The teens loved getting a tour of the police department and having a chance to ask the officers questions.  Also, at the end of September, Bloomingdale Church hosted F.A.N. Day – a community outreach event for our friends, acquaintances, and neighbors. We enjoyed barbecue – courtesy of “Holy Smokes” – painted faces, played games, watched the football game, and our teens hosted a dunk tank (which was definitely a hit)! 

In October, we’ve been able to lean into our partnership with Marquardt Middle School – by going into the school to facilitate leadership and team building activities, and to serve alongside their “Serving Society.” We’ve also been able to open our doors for their after-school intramural program. We love the chance to strengthen these community relationships! October has also marked the end of the fall season for many of our student athletes, so our adult volunteer team has taken every opportunity to attend their games and to support them. Another key highlight of the month was that our students had the chance to carve pumpkins at Youth Group, and to enter a friendly costume contest at Coffeehouse. So far, fall has been a blast!

As we look ahead, we're excited to continue learning, growing, and serving together as the BCYouth264 community.