Youth Group

Overview

Our Youth Group is designed for youth who are 12 years old and up. It is open to youth throughout our region. Your family does NOT need to be a member of First UCC to be a part of the youth group.

Meetings - 2nd & 4th Sunday

Our Youth Group generally meets twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Sunday at 6:00PM at the church building in Land Hall (the smaller social hall). In addition to regular meetings, we have about one special event or activity each month.

Our regular Youth Group meetings include: games, snacks, a positive message about faith, supportive conversations, prayer, building friendships, and helping the youth plan their special monthly activities.

More Information

For more information about our Youth Group, you can contact our adult leaders: Mandy Zerr, Tom Seaman, or Pastor Ben Motz, or contact the church office. Youth and parent(s)/guardian(s) can just stop by to check us out during one of our meetings.

You can find samples of events and activities below.

Events & Activities

Some of our upcoming and recent past events and activities include….

Upcoming:

Soup-er Bowl of Caring - Raising Funds & Food for our Local Food Pantry - Sunday, February 8, 2026

Snow Tubing - Sunday, February 15, 2026

Faith Night at Reading Royals Hockey Game - Saturday, March 14, 2026

Holy Humor Sunday - Sunday, April 12, 2026

Daniel Boone Homestead Patriot Days - Weekend Campout - Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14, 2026

Knoebels Amusement Park - August 9, 2026

and more…..

Recent:

Camping at the Daniel Boone Homestead for Patriot Days - June 2025

Reading Fightin Phils Baseball Game and Fireworks - July 2025

Helping with Vacation Bible School - August 2025

Knoebels Amusement Park - August 10, 2025

Helping at the Hamburg Food Pantry - August 26, 2025

Helping with the Hamburger Festival - August 30, 2025

Rally Day & Blessing of the Backpacks - September 7, 2025

High Ropes Course at Blue Mountain Resort - September 28, 2025

CROP Walk - Raising Funds to Fight Local and Worldwide Hunger - October 12, 2025

Trunk or Treat - Thursday, October 30 & Friday, October 31, 2025

Children & Youth Christmas Program - Sunday, December 21, 2025

Candle Bearers for the Candlelight Worship Service - Sunday, December 21, 2025

Overnight Lock-In in the Church Building - Friday, January 23 to Saturday, January 24, 2026

Variety of Youth Group Activities

To create a more holistic experience, we intentionally seek to guide the youth in planning a balance of activities across the below categories. As we plan, we strive to have activities that vary throughout the year in order to meet the various interests of the variety of youth we have participating.

In general, our youth group activities are designed to help form connections: form a stronger connection with a loving God; connect in supportive, helpful relationships with one another; and connect in helpful ways with the community.

Mission Outreach & Community Service

These activities give youth the opportunity to answer God's call to care for our fellow humankind and God's creation.

Examples: Supporting the Food Pantry, CROP Hunger Walk, Packing Disaster Relief Aid Kits

Educational

Throughout the year we strive to have educational opportunities to learn and grow in faith, and to learn about important life matters, as well. Education also involves helping them to take on leadership roles with the group and for activities.

Examples: Sunday School, VBS, Trip to the Holocaust Museum, discussions about faith and teenage life during our meetings, Confirmation Class

Worship

Through worship we seek to connect with others and more fully with our living, loving God.

Examples: Youth Christmas Program, Holy Humor Sunday, Worship at Knoebels Amusement Park, Rally Day

Inter-Generational

Our inter-generational activities provide opportunities for youth to be with persons older than they, learning from their wisdom; and engaging with younger youth, as examples, mentors, and guides.

Examples: Helping with VBS, CROP Hunger Walk, Inter-generational church trips and activities

Fellowship

Our fellowship activities are our "fun" activities, but they serve a larger purpose than having a good time (although, having fun is an important part of the purpose). These fun activities help the youth to bond with one another, forming trusting relationships, that they might be of greater support and care of one another.

Examples: Campouts, High Ropes Course, Amusement Park, Hockey & Baseball Games, playing games during youth group meetings, overnight Lock-Ins in the church building