Children, Youth and Families

Children have a very special place at Plymouth. We teach our young people Biblical stories through a progressive Christian lens. We emphasize the arts and social justice from a young age. The work and development of our young people are integrated into every part of building our church community.

As children grow up at Plymouth they move into the Youth Program, the youth of our congregation are actively living their spirituality, exploring relevant issues, and learning the history of the Christian faith. Our Children and Youth leadership develop and offer service activities, retreats, and camps to benefit our young people’s spiritual development and meet them, exactly where they are on their journey.

For more information, contact our Director or Children and Youth Ministries Nina Jonson, ninaj (at) plymouth.org.

Updates From Nina

Summer Camp Registrations

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REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!!!!

Non-Plymouth friends, neighbors, grandkids or grandparents are welcome to register!
Something for everyone ages 5 – 105.
*June 14-18–CAMP CLUB! Registration closes FRIDAY, June 5th! Lots of space left
*July 12-15–Peace Camp
Lots of space left
*July 16–Summer Fun Day
*August 26-29th–Camp Plymouth (Luther Crest, Alexandria)
Almost full!

This week at Plymouth for Children, Youth and Families: June 2, 2021

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There is lots going on in this week’s email!

  • In-person outdoor worship resumes on Sunday June 6th at 9am! Bring your own chair and mask!
  • Join us for an all-ages Water Pilgrimage around Lake of the Isles from 10:30-12:30 this Sunday!
  • Camp registrations are available! Friends, cousins and neighbors are all welcome to participate. Registration for Club Camp (June 14-18) closes Friday!
  • The Annual Meeting will be held on zoom Sunday June 13th at 12:15pm. Registration is required.

Details, registration links and much more HERE!

This week at Plymouth, for Children, Youth and Families

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I don’t want you to miss out on everything in this week’s email! Here’s what we cover

*Important upcoming events (including NO CHURCH SCHOOL this weekend!)

*Registration for Camp Club! and Camp Plymouth are both open! Due to COVID, spots are limited and will fill fast.

*Ways to support our graduating seniors

*In-person worship and church school starting June 6th!

And more! Check it all out HERE!

Give in to Hope Day 47: YOU!

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Here we are, on Easter morning–a day of hope, of rebirth, of new life, and of possibilities! Over the past weeks, we have learned about young people from all over the world, all with different passions, different problems, and different plans for their futures! Each of these heroes had something in common–they didn’t wait until they were adults to start on their path to change the world. You don’t have to either! You inspire the people around you every day

Here is my favorite verse in the bible, from 1 Timothy 4:12–“Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith…”

You are the example grown-ups need in the world. You have the power to make a difference. The choice is up to you–what change are you going to make?

Questions for families: Thinking about the world around you, what is a problem (big or small) that you would like to make some kind of impact on? Can we make a list of information we need to get, and ways we could get involved? How can I, as your caring adult, help support you?

Closing prayer: Dear God, Thank you for putting these heroes into the world, and into our lives. Help us find our purpose, so we can make a difference too! Amen.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this opportunity to Give in to Hope for the last 47 days. We can’t wait to see where hope will take you next! We’d love to hear how you enjoyed our Lent experience for Children, Youth and Families. Please email ninaj@plymouth.org with any comments or suggestions!

With love, Nina, Dylan, and the Committee for Children, Youth and Families

Give in to Hope Day 46: Boyan Slat

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When Boyan Slat was 16, he went scuba diving on a family vacation and was horrified to see more plastic than fish during his time underwater. The image stayed with him, and he spent a lot of time both learning about how plastics accumulate in the water, why people have felt they were nearly impossible to clean up and if there might be any way to rid our waters of plastic. By 19, he has founded a clean-water non-profit and began fundraising to put his water cleaning devices into production. He came up with prototypes (models) of a water clean-up system that used the currents in the ocean to naturally move plastics into nets, and then into a filtration system, to sort plastics from fish, sea creatures, and plant life. This process was not easy, and many funders and scientists felt that it wasn’t realistic. The first test models were made, and many of them broke. But Boyan and his team did not give up. He retooled his plans to instead focus on cleaning up polluted rivers, rather than the vast, open ocean, and his newest clean-up device, the Interceptor, was finally revealed and successful! Currently, there are interceptor devices cleaning plastics out of rivers in 4 countries, with plans for many more. Rather than give up, Boyan adapted, looked at the problem from different angles, tried different solutions, and stayed focused on his goal–any positive impact on the pollution of our water was a success. Boyan remains hopeful that significant portions of the plastics currently in our water can be removed, and the nonprofit he founded is also committed to stopping the entrance of new plastics into our water system from here on out!

To learn more about Boyan Slat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMenLxORN6M

What are your favorite things to do in or on the water? What are your favorite animals and creatures that live in or near water? How does plastic in oceans, lakes, and rivers impact activities and living things?

Closing prayer: Dear God, let us be creative, committed, positive and focused as we work to create change in the world. Amen.

NIGHTTIME WITH NINA

with Nina Jonson

Other videos in this series are available here.

Children’s Chior

Events with Children

Camp Club

June 18 @ 9:30 am - 12:30 pmPlymouth Congregational Church

Peace Camp

July 9 @ 9:30 am - 5:00 pmPlymouth Congregational Church

Peace Camp

July 12 @ 9:30 am - July 15 @ 3:00 pmPlymouth Congregational Church

Summer Fun Day!

July 16 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pmPlymouth Congregational Church

Events with Youth

Camp Club

June 18 @ 9:30 am - 12:30 pmPlymouth Congregational Church

Confirmation

June 20 @ 10:00 am - 10:50 amPlymouth Congregational Church

Peace Camp

July 9 @ 9:30 am - 5:00 pmPlymouth Congregational Church

Confirmation

July 11 @ 10:00 am - 10:50 amPlymouth Congregational Church