The Friendship Factor
Boston Avenue Youth come from more than a dozen different middle schools. Making friends at church is key to wanting to be part of our church family and be comfortable in all settings. We strive to provide a friendly and hospitable place where lifelong friendships can be formed and kept, where a young person begins to branch out in their faith journey and make some decisions about where God is calling them to serve.
BA's Mid-High Youth at District Camp.
Sunday morning on the third floor offers our middle school youth option-based classes. Every six to eight weeks youth enroll in a class of their choice. Some of the more popular classes are: Cooking for Others, Reel to Real (a movie class), Quilting Service Project, Prayer Centers, Collage Class, Christian Scrapbooking, and Manners for a Christian Youth. United Methodist Curriculum designed with a creative flair serves as the base for our classes.
All of our offerings encourage youth to think for themselves and to learn to make good decisions about their personal life, relationships with peers and family, future plans, and spiritual growth.
Mid-High Youth pause for a quick pic during their lockout.
Beyond Sunday Morning
Volunteers lead all of our programs under the direction of Debbie Peterson, Director of Mid-high Youth and Confirmation. To be part of this team, call Debbie at 918.699.0124. To receive a weekly newsletter of our Mid-High Youth events, please contact Norma Cave.
DTBA, Downtown Boston Avenue, is our mid-week ministry for youth. On Wednesday evenings, our 7th and 8th graders gather with a focus on how to live out their faith in all areas of life. Games, speakers, worship, music, and food are all part of the weekly meetings.
Fellowship Events are scheduled for once a month, generally on Sunday after church.
Mission Projects are worked in to Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. We always have a service project in progress. Summertime allows for more hands-on projects around the city and through our Circle of Care.
Basketball is offered in the wintertime. We play in a league at First UMC. Christian sportsmanship is taught and lived out with leadership from our volunteers.
Mid-High Youth enjoy summer fun during a swim party.
Small Groups meet monthly on a Sunday evening in the homes of our youth. Seventh and 8th graders are divided by gender and grade for this opportunity to discuss issues pertinent to their physical, emotional, spiritual, and individual needs.
Interfaith Education is emphasized at Boston Avenue. Middle school youth participate in the Martin Luther King, Jr. parade and service in January, the Tulsa Youth Interfaith Tour in April, and occasionally experience a Seder with leadership from Temple Israel.
We are all about building bridges of peace and harmony among all peoples. Understanding differences removes the walls. Sunday morning classes and Wednesday evening programs encourage and help to teach these principles.
Mid-High Youth prepare dinner for the Day Center as one of their many mission projects.
Youth Interfaith Tour
An annual Youth Interfaith Tour provides mid-high students and others the opportunity to visit various houses of worship and learn about faith traditions. Please contact Mid-High Director Debbie Peterson, 918.699.0124, or visit OCCJ's website for more information.
Mid-High Youth get ready to go on an Interfaith Tour.
Mid-High Mosaic, our mid-high drama group, is a group of multitalented youth who bring all they have together to create a beautiful picture - just like a mosaic is created from many different tiles. "Part of the theme is the fact that we sometimes don't feel like we fit in, but when we come together, we are a wonderful group of talented youth." Rehearsals are primarily on Sunday afternoons from 12:30-3:30, and leads/soloists also rehearse on Wednesday evenings from 6:45-9, although not all cast members are required to be at every rehearsal. Mid-High Mosaic meets in the fall and is directed by Rev. Mary Ann Emmons and Joan Hatley. Mid-High Youth Director Debbie Peterson serves as “Producer” for this ministry.
Chapel Choir meets on Wednesday evenings and is combined with the senior high. Our excellent Chapel Choir sings Sunday mornings at the 8:30 service. Many of our youth make this commitment to be part of worship. A summer tour is planned each year.
L.I.T.s - Leaders In Training
Leadership is taught and encouraged for our mid-high youth. In the 7th grade, youth can enter our Leaders in Training program. Helping with the nursery, VBS, Night Owl Camp, Respite Care, the Advent Worship, or the Easter Egg Hunt for children are just some of the service options available. Specific projects as directed by Debbie are also part of the LIT program. When qualified to be part of this Leadership Team, credit is given for each hour of service that can then be used towards any church activity.
Mid-High Youth at the Great Unknown.
Upcoming 7th-8th Grade Camps & Activities
We have completed all of our camps for 2011.
Thanks for an awesome summer!
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