Children and Youth – November 2026

UPDATE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION MINISTRIES – AMY GRELLA

Sunday Mornings for Children & Youth

Sunday Mornings for Children & Youth

Sunday morning options during worship engage kids to think about how the Bible can be applied to their world today. All youth will begin in worship, stay through A Thought To Carry, then head downstairs.

Please look below for details on the plan by each age group.

Holy Moly for Pre-K to 5th grade in room 105

Kids will explore the Old and New Testaments using Holy Moly. They will hear and see a video and participate in activities to deepen their thinking around the story.

*NEW* Bible Study for youth in 6th – 12th grade in room 110

All youth in middle and high school are invited to join in an all-new Bible Study during worship in room 110. The youth will read anddiscuss theme-based Bible studies.

The nursery is open for babies and toddlers during worship in room 103.

Sunday Evening Youth Group Meetups

Bower Hill youth group meets weekly for students in grades 6-12 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in room 110. Join in the fun as we foster small group fellowship and discuss current topics. These meetups are ideal places for students to invite friends to join!

Tweener Youth Group Updates for Grades 3-6

Sunday, November 8, at 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Join us and bring a friend. Optional pizza dinner with the 6th-12th grade youth group afterward. If staying for pizza, please RSVP so we can plan food accordingly.

Tweener Retreat February 27-28, 2027

This is a special one-night retreat designed to introduce youth in 3rd - 6th grade to the retreat experience at Crestfield. Save the date… registration opens in January.

Register for Food Packing Event Opportunities

Be sure to read in this newsletter for on-going service opportunities organized by the mission committee that you and your family can do together. Help to cook and serve a meal for Carnegie Carryout Dinners, on the second and fourth Sundays each month. Support Casa San Jose with ER Food Packing, shopping and sorting in Fellowship

Hall after worship. Next packing date is January 10, 2027.

Saturday, November 7, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Amen 2 Action

We will head to Saints John and Paul Church in Sewickley to participate in Amen 2 Action’s Food Packing event.

Please signup using this link. Meet at church at 8 a.m. to carpool.

We need your input for Summer Mission Trip Opportunities!

Family Summer Mission Trip

Is your family interested in serving together this summer with other church families? The faith formation committee is offering to facilitate and organize families and adults who may be interested in participating in a mission trip this summer. Please complete this survey by November 15, to express your interest.

Senior High Mission Trip

Building off our desire to offer more intentional intergenerational opportunities, we are planning a 2027 summer mission trip for older youth AND adults through Praying Pelican Missions. This trip is for youth who have completed 8th grade and up, including young adults/adults. We will choose a drivable location, so no airfare cost will be incurred. All adults must complete state-required child safety clearances to participate.

In order to ensure we meet our trip minimum and to share transportation costs, we are teaming up with youth from Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church in Murrysville, PA. My friend and colleague, Joshua Kenst, will serve as chaperone along with some of the youth from his church. The trip will be scheduled based on the best date for the majority interested. A secondary consideration will be given to the type of location (intercity/urban or rural) preferred. Our working timeline is as follows:

By November 15: Collect input via this form on dates and general location.

By December 1: Communicate date, location, and participant cost - Registration opens.

By December 20: Reserve your spot / first round of registration closes.

Early to mid-January – mission trip team meeting to provide details and Q&A.

Youth Winter Retreat ~ December 4 - 6, 2026 – Registration Now Open

Bower Hill is heading to Crestfield for our annual winter retreat for youth in grades 6-12. This weekend retreat is a fun, faith-filled event that you don’t want to miss!

Click here for details and to add your name and see who else is going.