Children & Youth Monthly Newsletter
NextGen Monthly Newsletter: August/September 2026
Welcome & Monthly Highlights
Welcome to this month’s NextGen Newsletter. Join us on August 30th to celebrate the end of summer with a splash party and open house in the morning and the return of regular Sunday Youth Group in the evening. We are so excited to welcome everyone back for the new school year and have a great year planned ahead! But first, enjoy a couple of highlights from the summer. Youth had a busy summer filled with fun outings, service opportunities, and Mingus Mountain Camp. Meanwhile, our younger kids combined for an all-ages “Fruits of the Spirit” themed summer Kids Church.
Ministry Program Updates
Children’s Ministry (Preschool – 5th Grade)
Starting September 6th, we will be returning to our regular school year programming. Kids Church will be held weekly following the children’s message during the 9:00 service and divided into age groups in rooms 221-223. In addition to Kids Church, Kids Choir will meet most Sundays between services from 10:05-10:50 a.m. Kids Choir is open to all K-5th grade students with opportunities to sing at Sunday morning services throughout the year.
Youth Sunday School (6th – 12th Grade)
Youth Sunday School will resume on September 13th, and will meet every 2nd,3rd, 4th,(&5th) Sunday of each month from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. in room 103. On the first Sunday of each month, youth and families are invited to attend the First Sunday social hour in Wesley Lounge. For our 11:00 traditional church services, Youth are encouraged to volunteer at least once per month to serve as acolytes. Youth Acolytes are always needed and greatly appreciated! In addition, youth may volunteer in our Kids Church classrooms during 9:00 services.
Jr. High and Sr. High Youth Group (6th – 12th Grade)
We are psyched to kickoff a new year of Youth Group on Sunday, August 30th, from 5:30 7:30PM. Youth Group will meet on most Sunday evenings during the school year and will include a good mix of fun, fellowship, life skills, service opportunities, and outings. All youth in grades 6th – 12th are welcome! Dinner is provided.
Please note that there will be no youth group on September 6th due to the three-day weekend but will resume weekly on September 13th. Youth Choir will also resume on September 13th from 4:30-5:30PM and meet most Sundays before Youth Group.
Special Events & Service Projects
● 8/30 End of Summer Celebration & Open House: Sunday, August 30th, 10:00AM – Noon. All ages are welcome to come enjoy ice cream sandwiches, popsicles, and tons of water-play fun, including slip n’ slides, super soakers, kiddie pools, sprinklers, and more. Bring a swimsuit and a towel! The upstairs kids’ classrooms (221, 222, & 223) and the youth rooms (101 and 103) will be open to drop by, say hi, and learn more about what’s in store for the upcoming year.
● 9/27 Youth Group Parent Meeting & Battle of the Generations:
Sunday, September 27th, 5:30–7:30PM. We invite all parents and guardians to join us for dinner, a meeting about the upcoming year, and the return of a beloved Youth Group yearly tradition: Battle of the Generations! Battle of the Generations is a fun, interactive trivia event where youth and adults go head-to-head to test their knowledge on everything from 80s and 90s pop culture, music, and history to modern slang, viral trends, and current hit shows. Will the parents prove they’re “all that and a bag of chips,” or will the kids show everyone who really has the “ultimate aura?” Join us for an evening filled with friendly competition, plenty of laughs, and bragging rights for the winning team!
August/ September NextGen Calendar
Sunday
AUG 23
9AM all-ages Kids Church in room 221
10AM Kids Choir in room 106
AUG 30
9AM all-ages Kids Church in room 221
10AM End of Summer Water Celebration & Open House
5:30-7:30PM Youth Group Kickoff
SEP 6
9AM Kids Church in rooms 221-223
NO YOUTH GROUP
SEP 13
9AM Kids Church in rooms 221-223
10AM Kids Choir in room 106 & Kids Crafts in 221
4:30-5:30PM Youth Choir
5:30-7:30PM Youth Group
SEP 20
9AM Kids Church in rooms 221-223
10AM Kids Choir in room 106 & Kids Crafts in 221
4:30-5:30PM Youth Choir
5:30-7:30PM Youth Group
SEP 27
Kids Choir AND Youth Choir perform at both services
9AM Kids Church in rooms 221-223
10AM Kids Choir in room 106 & Kids Crafts in 221
4:30-5:30PM Youth Choir
5:30-7:30PM Youth Group – Parent Meeting & Battle of the Generations
Contact & Volunteer Information
If you have any questions, want to volunteer for our NextGen programs,
or need more information about upcoming events, please reach out to
Julie Cochran:
● Email: julie@firstchurch.church
● Phone: 602-263-5013 x116
