SPARK Youth Group
We are growing a faith-forming, multicultural, multiracial, open and affirming,
accessible to all, just peace, globally minded movement of youth and young adults!
Through fellowship, service and learning we are making a difference in the world!
Youth from grade 8-12 are invited to participate; you do not need to be a member of NGCC to experience SPARK!
We are growing a faith-forming, multicultural, multiracial, open and affirming,
accessible to all, just peace, globally minded movement of youth and young adults!
Through fellowship, service and learning we are making a difference in the world!
Youth from grade 8-12 are invited to participate; you do not need to be a member of NGCC to experience SPARK!
SPARK retreat was held at Hammonasset State Park.
The theme of our overnight retreat was:
ACCEPTANCE
The theme of our overnight retreat was:
ACCEPTANCE
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SPARK Youth Group followed in the legacy of Dr. King by serving with Boston City Mission. We passed out 170 bag lunches, socks and gloves on the Boston Common. Following that we worked to assemble science kits at the Mather School in Dorchester. Please ask the youth about their experiences.
THANK YOU to the congregation of NGCC for making this trip possible!
COURAGE
On October 11 the SPARK Youth Group had the honor of learning about the life and courage of Malala Yousefzai by watching "He Named Me Malala." Watching her brave campaign for the education of young women helped our group put their own education in perspective; we are blessed to live in a country where education is available to all.
On October 11 the SPARK Youth Group had the honor of learning about the life and courage of Malala Yousefzai by watching "He Named Me Malala." Watching her brave campaign for the education of young women helped our group put their own education in perspective; we are blessed to live in a country where education is available to all.
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STRENGTH
No doubt about it-our October trip to the ropes/zip line course was challenging. It was a great chance to get to know each other and also to learn a bit about trust, faith, and our inner strength. 
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TRANSFORMATION
was the theme of our SPARK Youth Group mini retreat campout at Hammonasset State Park in June. We had some great discussion, made sand candles, painted canvases to express our thoughts about transformation. It was a great time, and we are looking forward to some fabulous new adventures in the fall.
was the theme of our SPARK Youth Group mini retreat campout at Hammonasset State Park in June. We had some great discussion, made sand candles, painted canvases to express our thoughts about transformation. It was a great time, and we are looking forward to some fabulous new adventures in the fall.
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SERVICE
On January 16, 2015 the NGCC Youth Group once again travelled to Boston to join in the City Mission Society's Day of Service in honor of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. We were honored to prepare bag lunches for Boston Urban Outreach and serve them on a very cold Boston Common the following morning. Once all were served we moved on to the William Russell Elementary School in Dorchester, where we scrubbed desks, washed windows, swabbed stairwells and dusted to make the school a more inviting place for the children who learn there. Our tasks accomplished, we left for Hope Central Church in Jamaica Plains to celebrate the life, work and ministry of Rev. King. The combined efforts across Boston on this citywide day of service impacted the lives of 3000 people. Our Youth Group was proud to be a part of this effort.
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COMMUNITY
SPARK Youth Group participated in Trinity Church's Chapel on the Green. We participated in this unique outdoor service, got to meet some new New Haven neighbors, and witnessed the first-ever Chapel on the Green baptisms! Once the service was over we served 270 bag lunches (which we prepared the day before) to those who need them. It was an enlightening experience and we hope to be back soon!
You can see more photos on the church Facebook page.
Have you heard about our 2014 Youth Group service trip to City Mission Society of Boston? Read about it on the UCC Connecticut Conference news page!
Our Youth Group Goals:
Live as examples of Christ's love and make a difference in the world by helping people-service is what we do!
Learn from each other and from the teachings of Christ
Support each other
"Lord, we ain't what we oughta be. We ain't what we want to be. We ain't what we gonna be. But, thank God, we ain't what we was."
...... Martin Luther King Jr., quoting a slave preacher in his 1962 speech celebrating the100 year anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation
...... Martin Luther King Jr., quoting a slave preacher in his 1962 speech celebrating the100 year anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation