Youth Ministries: Grades 5-12
The Intentions of Youth Ministry
The Youth Ministry at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church is a collaborative effort of many dedicated people to provide diverse and well balanced ministry in worship, education, music, service & fellowship. Our primary intentions are:
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To call young people to explore their faith as disciples of Christ
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To respond to the unique needs & interests of young people
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To create partnerships with adult advisors as they begin their journey of faith
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To be integrated and valued within this entire faith community
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To be connected to the larger Church through local and regional retreats and conferences
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To create an all-inclusive and safe space with a consistent message that they are a child of God and are never alone
At Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church, youth ministry is a vital part of who we are. We offer an atmosphere where youth can support and nurture each other, feel safe to ask questions that may be challenging, and participate in a wide variety of fun and enriching experiences. We have an active group of dedicated adult mentors, a strong youth hand bell choir, and great opportunities to help teens to live out their faith.
For more information on the Youth Program at HMPC, please contact Rich Richards, Director of Youth Ministries.
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HMPC Confirmation Class Podcasts
Youth on Sundays (SCHOOL YEAR)
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Youth Sunday School: 5th-12th grade youth
(Most) Sundays, 11:30am-12:30pm in Geneva Hall - Room 226
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Youth Bells
Sundays 12:00-12:30pm - Westminster Hall
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Past Summer Mission Trips
Each summer our High School youth go on a week long mission trip. These trips are wonderful opportunities to live out your faith, get to know each other, learn about the complex and diverse world we live in, and accumulate numerous community service hours.
Our trips in the past have included …
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2011 – A border ministry trip to Mexico
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2012 – An urban plunge to Washington D.C.
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2013 – A wonderful adventure to Miami serving at soup kitchens and food banks
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2014 – A week of global farm work at a Heifer International Farm near Boston studying hunger, poverty & sustainable agriculture
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2015 – The Pilgrimage Service and Learning Center in Washington D.C.
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2016 – We went to Costa Rica to work with a local congregation, study the culture & see the country
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2017 - An Urban Plunge to Nashville, Tennessee
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2018 - Inner City Adventure - Mobile, Alabama
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2019 - Washington, DC
Camps and Conferences
Presbytery Retreats – Every year, we attend the Middle School Retreat at Camp Kanata and the High School Retreat at Camp Don Lee. These retreats are planned & led by High School Youth who served on the New Hope Presbytery’s Youth Council.
Montreat Youth Conference is for all rising 9th graders through graduating seniors. Montreat, near Asheville, NC. Students participate in a week of of music, small groups, dances, recreation, new friends & worship with over 1,200 high school youth from all over the United States.
Massanetta Middle School Conference is for all rising 6th through graduated 8th grade youth. Massanetta Springs is in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. This is a wonderful 4 day, hands-on experience of wild & crazy recreation, interesting workshops, creative keynotes, worship, energizers & more. You can expect to be challenged and inspired, and grow in your faith.
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Montreat College Conference is for all college students. Located at the Montreal campus, near Asheville, NC. Students participate in a week of of music, small groups, dances, recreation, new friends, and worship with hundreds of college students from all over the United States.
Youth Group at Hudson
Grades 5-12
Youth Group is a time for food, fellowship, community outreach and service, Bible study & more! The youth gather together before separating into Middle and High School groups for their programs and activities, which are different every week. We welcome friends, newcomers & all visitors.
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“Tween Youth” (5th grade) meets a total of about 5 times a year. This is signified on the official Youth Group Calendar as ALL+ or MS+
These in-between Children’s Ministry and Youth Ministry months and meetings are ways for our “tween youth” to get their feet wet in the flow and rhythm of youth ministry. Check the official calendar for meeting times and dates.
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Middle School Youth Group (6th to 8th grade) meets periodically with special Presbytery retreats to Camp Kanata, regional and local Mission trips to places like Charlotte (and here in Raleigh) and other activities and trips scattered throughout the year. These activities include collecting food for those struggling with homelessness, bowling, rock-climbing and exploring the richness of our city’s wonderful park system. During the summer, they participate in the Massanetta Middle School Conference, provided by leaders in the Presbyterian Church (USA) located in Virginia.
High School Youth Group (9th to 12th grade) meets periodically and provides our young people with a fun, safe and supportive place to explore all the joys and challenges of growing up as a disciple of Christ in the world today. Some activities have included serving dinner at the Ronald McDonald House, packaging meals at Rise Against Hunger and the NC Food Bank, exploring new ways of exploring the Bible, mountain biking and other recreational activities and much more! During the summer there have been local, regional, national and international mission trips and continued participation in the Montreat Youth Conference in Montreat, NC.
