Children and Youth – October 2025

UPDATE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION MINISTRIES – AMY GRELLA

Sunday Mornings for Children & Youth

Sunday morning options run concurrently to worship and focus on learning Bible stories and engaging kids to think about how these learnings can be applied in their world. Beginning in October, youth will begin working on the Christmas Pageant, which will be performed in worship on Sunday, December 7.

Three classes will be offered for kids from pre-k through eighth grade during worship. The nursery will still be open for babies and toddlers during worship. Please look below for details on the plan for each age group.

Wonder for Pre-K to 2nd grade

Children preschool through 2nd grade will start in worship with their families. After a Time with Children, kids will be escorted downstairs to room 103, the Children’s Worship Room, to hear a Godly Play story. Kids will see, hear, and wonder as they learn from and with each other. Parents may pick up their children in room 103 after worship ends.

Holy Moly for 3rd-5th grade in Room 110

Kids in third through fifth grade will start in worship with their families. After a Time with Children, kids will be escorted to room 110, where they will explore the Old and New Testaments using Holy Moly Sunday school. They will hear and see a video and participate in activities to deepen their thinking around the story. Parents may pick up their children in the classroom after worship ends. Do you speak Holy Moly? Click here to find out!!

Connect for 6th – 8th graders in room 105

Kids in sixth through eighth grader will meet during the entirety of worship, so youth should go directly to room 105 on Sunday morning to Connect. With Connect, kids see how individual Bible stories connect into larger themes that span the whole Bible. Parents may pick up their children in the classroom after worship ends.

Youth Meetups & Service Opportunities

Summer Mission Trip Recap

Join us after worship on Sunday, October 5, to hear from our two youth summer mission trip teams. In June, we had eleven people, six adults and five youth, join three other Presbyterian churches in Spruce Pine, NC. In July, eight youth (grades 6-10) attended Crestfield’s Service Adventure Camp, doing lots of work in and around the Slippery Rock community.

Middle and High School Youth Group

Join youth in grades 6-12 for youth group. Typical meetings are on the 2nd Sunday night of each month from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in room 110. In addition, there will be a monthly service opportunity.

Youth Group dates: October 12, December 14, January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12, and May 3. There is no meeting in November so kids can attend the fall youth group retreat November 14-16.

Registration Is Now Open for the Youth Fall Retreat November 14-16, 2025

Bower Hill is teaming up with five other local PC(USA) churches for our annual fall retreat for youth in grades 6-12. This year we will be at Windy Ridge, located in Greene County, 1 hour outside of Pittsburgh. Registration is now open - Click here to add your name and register today! Cost is $100 and includes food, transportation, t-shirt and programming.

Youth Mission and Service Opportunities

Sunday, October 26, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. –We are partnering with Carnegie Presbyterian to provide carryout meals for their New Hope Worship Center. We will meet in Bower Hill’s kitchen to prepare a main dish, side and dessert.

Saturday, November 15, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – We will head to Christ UMC to participate in Amen 2 Actions’ Food Packing event. Please signup using this link.

Friday, November 28, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – We will head to Bishop Canevin High School to participate in Amen 2 Actions’ Food Packing event. Please signup using this link.

Tweener Youth Group Updates for Grades 3-6

Sunday, November 2, at 6:30 p.m. in room 110 Join us and bring a friend for a night of fun for our first Halloween Pun Party. Look for details in your inbox soon!

Tweener Retreat February 28-March 1, 2026 – This is a special one-night retreat designed to introduce youth in grades 3-6 to the retreat experience at Crestfield. Be sure to save the date!