For the Youth - the Next Generation

Since Trinity's inception in the 1880s youth have been an important part of our ministry. For the first 50 years of our existence we operated an elementary school. Today we offer Sunday School (free and open to all from September to June) as well as a number of other activities from Youth Planned and Led Worship Experiences, Family Fun Nights, as well as opportunities to enjoy summer camps and our annual Church Retreat at Tower Hill, the UCC camp in Sawyer, Michigan along the shores of Lake Michigan. As a smaller church (fewer than 100 families) we offer an environment where children and their families can experience first hand a Body of Christ committed to furthering Christ's love in the world - often through intergenerational activities. In addition, many of our older youth (those who were confirmed in 8th grade) continue to be active by embracing their right to full membership in Trinity which includes full voting priviledges and the opportunity to participate as full members at any level of church leadership (many service on Trinity's Boards forging the future of our church). We look forward to growing together and instilling an understanding of Christ's love that encourages social action.

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Trinity Community's Over-Nighter

The dawn was just breaking and the sanctuary was still dark except for the glow of Christmas lights as this picture of goofy-ness was captured by some still very tired over-nighters. Many thanks to our Youth Leader Julia Irmis who organized our recent "Over-Nighter" at Trinity Community Church, UCC. The over-nighter was a mix of goofyness and learning. The group enjoyed: making cookies to enjoy during a very late night cookies and milk at the Altar where we shared the story of St. Nicholas; baking several loafs of bread for the early morning communion service with the over-nighter group as well as for the entire community at our regular 10 AM service; a time for creating artwork for the sanctuary that has become part of our Christmas decorations; a period of fun and games; and a visit from St. Nicholas who arrived sometime during the middle of the night to fill all the shoes that were left under the Christmas tree. Many thanks to Julia and to everyone (especially St. Nick!) who made the night a wonderful success!

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Trinity Community's Annual Retreat to Sawyer, Michigan

Each year an intergenerational group of folks from Trinity head up to Tower Hill UCC Camp in Sawyer, Michigan on the shores of Lake Michigan. Together we enjoy a weekend of fun for all ages (games, crafts, camp fires, helping to clean up the camp, climbing Mount Baldy at the Warren Dunes State Park, and maybe even swimming in Lake Michigan if not too cold!) as well as prayer and worship. Away from the concerns of life all are able to be refreshed and experience God in new ways. In addition to this annual all church pilgrimage, Trinity works with families to insure all children who desire can attend camp - week long camping experiences at Tower Hill and other church related camps.

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The 2009 Christmas Tree Decorating at Brookfield Zoo

It was a surprisingly warm November morning when this first group of folks from Trinity Community decorated our Christmas Tree #296 (not far from the elephants!) at the Brookfield Zoo. A second group arrived later to add more to the tree. Many thanks to our Board of Missions for organizing and making the event possible. The tree stands as a testimony to the many mission projects our church is a part of and encourages all to remember the real reason of the season - sharing the love of Jesus Christ with all. Thanks to our Board of Missions and all who came out to decorate this year's tree!

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United Children of Christ

For All God's Children

United Children of Christ is a ministry within Trinity Community Church, UCC that was developed by our Youth Leader Julia Irmis. It is aimed at building a community among the youth through participation in various activities and events such as a sleepover at the church, a “biblical” haunted house for the Church’s annual Halloween party, and a number of other events as well as a permanent art installation within in the sanctuary created by the youth. Information regarding upcoming UCC (United Children of Christ) activities will be noted in our Sunday bulletins.

Julia was called by the Community of Trinity in August 2009 and installed during worship on Sunday, September 13, 2009 to serve as the new Youth Leader until May 2010. The Youth Leader concept is an attempt to allow the Spirit to refresh the entire congregation and in particular the youth within and beyond the walls of the local church through the gifts God provides in the youth of the church through spirit-filled community outreach. Towards that end Ms. Irmis’ first action was to organize a new youth organization, “United Children of Christ” (UCC) which is aimed at building a community among the youth through participation in various activities and events such as an upcoming sleepover at the church as well as organizing a “biblical” haunted house for the Church’s annual Halloween party. A number of other events as well as a permanent art installation within in the sanctuary created by the youth is planned. Additionally Ms. Irmis will facilitate the “Time for God’s Children” (children’s time) during worship as well as have the opportunity to preach the message on several occasions. In addition, Ms. Irmis serves on Trinity’s Board of Christian Education and teaches Sunday School.

Ms. Julia Irmis is an Honor Student at Morton West High School in Berwyn where she is a member of the Mustang Band, Student Council, and Drama. She was baptized at Trinity Community Church, UCC in Berwyn as a young child and confirmed into full membership of the church in 2006. She was also the “Best of Berwyn” in 2006, a Junior Citizen program recognizing and honoring the academic excellence, involvement in extracurricular activities, and potential for displaying high ethical and moral behavior in 8th graders. She looks forward to going to college next year to study history and possibly theology.

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Trinity’s Board of Christian Education and Fellowship

Trinity's Board of Christian Ed offers a number of programs for youth including:

Free Nursery: Provided during worship so that parents have an opportunity to worship together or alone in worship knowing that their precious one is being cared for. This free nursery is offered year round for new born to age 3. As always, children are invited in worship and baby changing tables are provided in the handicapped stall in each restroom.

Free Sunday School: Offered September through May. Children age 3 through 7^th grade are invited forward during Sunday worship for a time with the Pastors after which they are invited to Sunday School.

Youth Planned and Led Worship: Two to four times per year, the Board of Deacons and Pastors work with the youth of the church to plan and then lead worship. Complete freedom is given to reinvent worship and the space as understood through the lens of the youth. Youth also lead all aspects of the entire worship from reading scripture, giving the sermon, taking offertory, and/or whatever. These fun worship experiences offer the youth a chance to bring their voice alive in worship.

Confirmation Class: Traditionally offered for 8^th grade students, this experience which is a rite of passage making a youth of the church into a full adult voting member runs September until Palm Sunday. During the journey the student is invited to share their faith and belief structure, to name for themselves what they believe, and if indeed they wish to become a member of Trinity Community Church, United Church of Christ. Whether or not a student decides to become a member does not matter – what matters is that through the journey they are provided critical thinking skills to decide for themselves how God works, or does not work, in their life.

Teen Years: After Confirmation, teens, like all the young adults and adults of Trinity Community, are invited to share in the leadership of the church. Currently several teens, or as we call them – “young adults” – are active on a number of Church Boards, actively deciding and creating the future of our church as full voting members with full voice.

All Ages: All ages are invited to participate in a number of intergenerational activities such as Bible Study, Annual Church Retreat, Christmas Pageant, Family Fun Nights, Halloween Party, Talent Show, and more.

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