Greetings,
Since my last update, we have moved forward with several initiatives for both our youth and young adult ministries here at ECC. Much prayer has gone into the planning and implementing of these ministry opportunities, and I am confident that God has been and continues to be at work in these ministries and in the lives of students and young adults in our community. And to keep the momentum going and keep the church informed, I just want to take a minute to share a few updates on what we HAVE done and what we are working to do begin in the near future.
For our student ministry, while we continue to support the Fusion ministry on Sunday evenings, we have added High School youth group nights on the first and third Wednesday of the month AND a pre-worship service community time for middle and high school students on Sunday mornings that we’re calling “Student Café”. These times are focused on building community together, as we engage in each others lives through prayer, encouragement, and spiritual formation.
In addition, I have been putting together plans for a Summer Trip in 2023 for ECC High School students. The reality is that these students have not had this experience because of the many challenges of the last couple years. So, our hope is that the next summer trip will be a catalyst for bringing the students together for an amazing experience of God’s work in their lives as they go outside their normal routines and into a unique adventure with God and one another as a community. We are having a parent/student informational meeting about this trip on Sunday, December 4 at 4pm in the Life Center. All ECC students currently in 8th – 12th grade and their parents are invited to attend.
For young adults in our church, we named this ministry initiative 1935 (for those that are between the ages of 19 and 35) and began with a lunch at the beginning of November. We had a good turnout and great conversation around who we are, what are hope is for God’s Church and ECC, and what we would like to be doing as a community within this church moving forward. We agreed that we would like to be intentional about having regular times to gather together, as often as once a month. But we also like variety and options, so each month may look a little different. Thus, starting in January, you will begin to see these 1935 gatherings announced.
As a church, I ask that we all continue praying for these ministries and for the students and young adults in our ECC community. Pray that we may continue to move forward, discovering God’s purpose and God’s hope for each of our lives, as we live, serve, and gather together in community!
--Pastor Chuck Potts