High School

Philosophy of Ministry
These are the best days of your life! Well they're supposed to be at least. High school teens have deep friendships, are enjoying new freedoms with growing up, and thinking about what their future holds. Unfortunately high school can also be a time of deep anxiety over self-esteem, preparation for college or other paths of growth and self discovery. 
 **2018 Spring Quarter Youth Activities **

Youth Spring Quarter 2018

Just for High School

Spring 2018

There are lots of things going on in the of 2018 especially now that our Forward in Faith Campaign is in full swing. Check out the calendar for dates of key events and trips for WPC Youth. 

We will continue to send out the details of each event or trip as the time approaches but after hearing some feedback from you over the past year we thought it would be helpful you to at least have the dates. In the meantime, feel free to email/call/text/etc, as you always have with any questions or comments about any of the youth ministry at Westminster Presbyterian Church. My cell is 415.744.4683. 

We know that the biggest indicator for your child’s future spiritual vitality is relationships, in particular intergenerational relationships. Opportunities like this give our leaders a chance to build trusting relationships with your high schoolers so we can be a part of the team that’s helping to spur your child onto a life of gratitude, service, kindness, confidence, love, and grace.

What: HS Lunch Club
When:  THIS Sunday, 4/22 at 11:15am (after church)
Where:  Depart/Arrive WPC (we will vote)
Who:  All High Schoolers (parents help us out by driving)
Cost:  $10

This Sunday after church our high schoolers will gather in the youth room and vote on a place to have lunch. We’ll give them a few options that are close by. They’ve been requesting to do something like this for a while so if you happen to be here this Sunday or just want to come grab lunch with your best friends then we look forward to seeing you!

**PARENTS** – Can you help us carpool from place to place and join us for lunch? If we can get 2-3 parents willing to drive that would be perfect! Please let me know!

What:   Project Open Hand Volunteer Opportunity
When:  Saturday, 4/28 at 8:00am - 12:30pm
Where: 730 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA (carpool leaving WPC at 8:00am)
Who:  Ages 15 and up
Cost:  FREE
Waiver:  PROJECT OPEN HAND RELEASE WAIVER

One of the things I admire about this organization is how it teaches us that we shouldn’t just give people junk when they’re in need.  People who are less fortunate deserve a nice meal just as much as we do.  Sometimes they need it far more than we do.  The people here will do a great job of opening our eyes to this issue.  When people suffer from a serious illness, isolation, or difficult health challenges of aging a delicious healthy meal isn’t just a nicety.  It’s a necessity.  We will be there to do whatever Project Open Hand needs us to help further their mission to serve those whose suffering has become so difficult.

From Project Open Hand...

Shift Information Volunteer attendance is important to the operations of Project Open Hand. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your shift to sign in with security on the first floor. Your shift will begin with an orientation once all group members are checked in. We respectfully ask that volunteers who are more than 30 minutes late, cancel their shift. Your group will volunteer in our Warehouse or Kitchen. Warehouse tasks may include bagging food items, stocking our Grocery Center shelves or shopping for our clients. Kitchen volunteers slice and dice whole food and help assemble meal packages for our clients. Lunch All volunteers will be having lunch in our cafeteria. The same healthy delicious lunch that our clients eat! Age and Dress Requirements It is important to note that all volunteers must be 15 years or older and follow our dress code: • Closed-foot shoes • Shirts with sleeves (no tank tops) • Full length pants (no shorts/capris/ skirts, etc.) • A hat to cover your hair (if you do not want to wear a hair net) Please ensure that all volunteers are aware of the dress code prior to arrival at Project Open Hand. Parking and Transportation Reserved parking is not available at Project Open Hand. Please see our location, directions and suggested public transportation options here. If you are driving, nearby parking options include the Civic Center Garage and the 1000 Van Ness Garage.

WPC Youth Takeover of Children’s Ministry

What: Moving Forward in Faith Through the Bible (for Kids!)
When:  Training and Planning:  4/22, 4/29
Teaching and Facilitating: 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, /5/27
Where:  WPC Sunday School
Who:  Middle and High School students and leaders

Our current campaign to raise much needed renovations and expansions, Westminster 2020: Forward in Faith, has not only garnered the excited interest of our adults but also our young people who would be those most affected by a fulfilled campaign. Opportunities like this don’t come around very often so we wanted to be sure our youth were given an opportunity to take some ownership over a campaign that affects them greatly.

The church as a whole (Including you!) are invited to a series of 4 Bible studies to explore together what happens when communities move “Forward in Faith.” We will journey with those before us in The Exodus, Nehemiah, Acts/Early Church, and Hebrews 11 during the month of May. Over the month of May the youth will be leading our children’s Sunday School through those same faith movements of those in the Bible being studied by the church as a whole. The youth will facilitate different stations that will immerse our K-5 children in their stories as our youth and children explore what happens when groups move “Forward in Faith.”  

Its an exciting opportunity for our high schooler and middle schoolers to grow in their faith and understanding by teaching others. For those of you looking for community service hours this is a great place to start.         

DATE MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL
April 22, 2018 Servant Leadership Curriculum Planning
April 29, 2018 Curriculum Planning Servant Leadership
May 6, 2018 The Exodus The Exodus
May 13, 2018 Nehemiah and The Rebuild Nehemiah and The Rebuild
May 20, 2018 Acts and The Early Church Acts and The Early Church
May 27, 2018 Hebrews 11 and The promise of Faith Hebrews 11 and The Promise of Faith

 

High School Mission Trip, July 22 - 28, 2018

Cost:  $550; All 9th – 12th graders

It’s never too early to sign up and turn in your payments for the best week of your child’s year! We will be serving the community of San Diego in a variety of ways alongside a few other youth groups from around the country. When not serving others, we’ll be visiting the border wall with Border Angels, enjoying the boardwalk, checking out Balboa Park, and experiencing a bi-lingual worship service. It is certainly an immersive experience. If we lived like Jesus for a week how would our spirit grow? If you’d like more info please let me know at: ! For more info on our host, Youthworks check out: https://vimeo.com/183061507

2018 High School Mission Trip Signup

Event

 

Participant #1

 

Participant #2

 

Participant #3

 

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Zephyr Point Family Camp, July 1 - 6, 2018

Join our very own Rob McClellan at Summer Family Camp Tahoe and start a new Christ-Centered summer tradition. Zephyr Point Family Camp is about recreation, relaxation, fellowship with other families of faith. We do this by providing a stress-free environment, giving the freedom to embrace time set apart for the purpose of regrouping the family unit and enjoying a purpose-filled vacation with one another. Rob will be the chaplain at this year’s camp and hopes to see you there. Price varies; for all ages. For more information visit: http://www.zephyrpoint.org/programs/family/summer-family-camp/

High School Mission Trip 2017 

Check out our video of our 2017 trip to San Diego.

 

Parent's Corner - High School



 
Parents are the biggest influences in a child's life and the teen years can create a shock to the relationship. It seems like just yesterday you were the biggest hero in their life and now suddenly you don't know anything. If it takes a village then we want to walk this road beside you offering time-sensitive programs that not only enhance your relationship with your teen, but also provide a resource for you in raising a child in the ways of Jesus.  We always appreciate your feedback and want to collaborate with you in the joys of parenthood!
**NEW** Beginning September 10, 2017. Our high schoolers need time together to grow in spiritual maturity in a way that makes sense for the...not for adults or children...but as high schoolers. So, for the first time in a while, we'll have an actual high school Sunday School class. We will meet for 10 weeks in the fall and 10 weeks in the spring. Our classes will meet in the Library from 10:00am - 11:00. (NOTE: Do not go to the worship service. We start at 10:00am prompt.)

 

For the next 10 weeks we'll be thinking, discussing, and experimenting with various techniques to help your high schoolers gain some necessary tools for discerning God's will for their life. One major aspect of being a teenager and high schooler is what happens when it's over. College, relationships, work - there are so many major decisions to be made in the coming years. Discernment is a spiritual practice that goes back centuries, yet it's something many of us are not mindful of. We believe God is wherever our young people end up going. But we also believe the Holy Spirit can lead us in certain ways.  We invite all high school teens to join us as we explore the ways we are led.

 

We are very lucky to have 6 friends coming to help us with this project. They come from a variety of backgrounds. Understanding that you might not be able to make it to everyone here's a week by week listing so you can plan for the ones that are most appealing to you.

Date

September 10, 2017  

"GATHERING DATA"

Class Focus

What questions should we ask ourselves when a major life decision must be made? Knowing how to develop a solid foundation for discernment is a big part. 

Special Guest 

September 17, 2017

"LIFE INTERRUPTIONS"

What causes someone to give up 2 years of their life to serve people in another culture? Then, how does that affect the way you manage others and do your business dealings?

Kevin Kneafsey, Entrepreneur and President of Mulberry's Cleaners

September 24, 2017

"JESUS"

Jesus is our model and the human embodiment of the Divine. What things did He do to discern God's guidance in His life?

 

 October 1, 2017

 "STRENGTHS FINDER"

Working collaboratively, we'll look into what our unique strengths are based on the personalities we are blessed with.

Polly Chandler - Leadership Development Coach & Facilitator - Gallup Certified

October 8, 2017

"DISCERNING in CREATION"

Let's go outside and understand our place and role in the bigger story of what God is doing in the world today. After all, this world isn't just about "me".

Rev. Bethany Nelson, Associate Pastor, WPC

October 15, 2017

"WHAT DOES THE SPIRIT FEEL LIKE?"

As part of God's creation... As seeing yourself as part of God's bigger story... By changing our environment and surroundings help us to better discern where the the Spirit is leading? 

Rev. Ted Scott, Parish Associate, WPC

October 22, 2017

"SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES"

A baseball player practices the same catch and throw thousands of times a year because when the ball comes off the bat you can't think about it. You have to react. What is the spiritual equivalent?  

October 29, 2017

"LIFE CHANGE"

You've got a good job, you're involved in the community, your family is thriving, then you look at the computer screen at work and realize, "I'll never be fulfilled doing this." Now what? 

Vince Felix - Capernaum Director, Young Life

November 5, 2017

"DISCERNMENT BASICS"

The idea of discernment as a Christian practice can sound overwhelming for many. Let's break it down into its most basic parts. 

Rev. Ineda Adesanya - Spiritual Director, Allen Temple Baptist Church

November 12, 2017

"WHERE ARE YOU NOW?"

Sharing time with each other about the tools we've learned and which seem most helpful for different life stages. 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 
Council of Dads

All dads are invited to share in the monthly meeting of the Council of Dads. Come, share a meal and discussion topic with other dads. Check-out our Events/Calendar for our next gathering.

13 Reasons Why > You Matter 

By now we’re sure you’ve all heard about the Netflix Series “13 Reasons Why” and it's already got you thinking, talking, and possibly worrying about your teens and their friends. While many parts of the series were extreme worst-case scenarios of teen culture it nevertheless has created an incredible opportunity to have frank and thoughtful conversations with teens about depression, cutting, suicide and more. After chatting with many area parents about the show we knew we had to do something to not only give you hope and uplift your souls as parents but also give you some really practical information about how to talk about these things with your kids. Also, you’re probably noticing that your kids might not be so apt to discuss the show or its topics with you… they’re frankly tired of hearing about. But, we all know as adults that these are important topics that should be discussed. If you feel like you or someone you know needs to talk,  please contact us anytime. That’s what we’re here for.

 

 

 

 

Youth News - High School

 

Serving Others - High School

Service Projects

Several times throughout the school year, we participate as a group in community service projects. We hosted a Parents Night Out and spent a Saturday working together finishing one of the Habitat for Humanity homes in Marin. Working together in service to others is one of the most surefire ways to help spur those kinds of deeper fellowship we all long for and so badly we need. Check back frequently for upcoming Service Projects or contact Jeff at .

Forms:  High School Mission Trip - Medical Release Form