Category Archives: YOUTH

Giving Opportunitites, Learning, Ministry, Mission Work, YOUTH

God’s Work Our Hands and Rally Sunday 2022

Sunday, September 11th

Don’t miss this exciting day at Gethsemane! Wear or plan to purchase a “God’s Work Our Hands” shirt to wear for this day of service together.

Sign Up to Help

Gather for Rally Sunday in the multipurpose room at 9:30 am to celebrate the beginning of a new year of growing in faith together. After the opening, children and youth will meet with their teachers. Parents are asked to go with them to get them registered.

Following the 10:30 am worship, enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch prepared by Gethsemane members Greg & Debbie Pitts (aka Rusted Shut BBQ) in the multipurpose room.

After lunch, participate in the annual “God’s Work Our Hands” multi-generational opportunity for service work restoring/reconciling communities.

Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Make pet toys for the Austin Humane Society
  • Donate food and clothes for the Food Pantry & Clothes Closet
  • Give blood at the “We Are Blood” blood mobile in the Gethsemane parking lot
  • Contribute birthday party supplies for single mother families at The Jeremiah Project
  • Work on GLCM outdoor campus beautification
  • Clean up around the church campus, including the kitchen pantry and MPR tables
  • Sign greeting cards to Gethsemane members in need of love and prayers
  • Bring baked goods to deliver to local emergency responders and to enjoy as a community after lunch
  • Donate costumes, dress-up, pajamas, and accessories (ALL MUST BE NEW) and/or monetary donations for Katrina’s Cocoon Crew to bring smiles to children battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses

Signup sheets for each of these opportunities are available in the narthex or email info@gethsemaneaustin.org to sign up.

See you there!

Events, YOUTH

Blessing of the Backpacks

Sunday, August 14 during 10:30 am Worship

As a new school year begins, students of all ages are invited to receive a backpack blessing and backpack tag from Gethsemane during worship to remember that God is with you everywhere you go.

Remember to bring your backpack to worship!

Events, Giving Opportunitites, YOUTH

Youth Dinner Theatre Fundraiser

Join the Gethsemane community for the
Youth Dinner Theatre Fundraiser on Saturday, May 7th

“WONDERFUL”
By Lane Holmstrom

Saturday, May 7th
– Concessions & Silent Auction open at 5 pm
– Show begins at 6 pm

Tickets are $10 per person (plus bring cash for concessions)

Silent Auction * Live Auction
Delicious Food! Fun for the whole family!

Auction Items Needed
Please help us raise money for the youth by donating an item to the silent auction. Email the church office with a description of your items to be donated. We’re also accepting wine donations for a wine pull. Proceeds from the dinner theatre and auctions will benefit the summer youth activities.

Playbill Ads
You are invited to place an ad in the playbill: business ads or student “brag ads.” Full-page ads are $50 and half-page ads are $25. Email the church office with your order. Past supporters may use the same ad as before or send a new layout. New supporters please send a layout in Publisher format and/or a PDF.

“Boundless Grace” Senior High Trip: July 11-15 in Minnesota
Plans are taking shape for the Gethsemane youth trip. Youth will visit the Mall of America, attend a Minnesota Twins baseball game (Carlos Correa, a former Astro is now a Twin), visit Shalom Hill Farm in rural Minnesota, and enjoy the hospitality of Don & Anne Roefer, Todd & Sheri Pottebaum, George & Rhia Spears. (Rhia grew up in Gethsemane youth ministry) plus visits to Luther Seminary and Augsburg University. A fun, informative, and exciting time for Gethsemane youth. Email Pastor Schnelle for more information.

Events, Giving Opportunitites, Mission Work, YOUTH

Youth Tackle Hunger: 32nd Annual Souper Bowl of Caring

Bring non-perishables and cash for the Gethsemane Food Pantry on Sunday, February 13

For 32 years, this event has transformed Super Bowl weekend into the nation’s largest celebration of giving/serving. Thousands of youth groups and passionate individuals unite to “Tackle Hunger Together”. Gethsemane youth will greet the community (they will not tackle you) following the 10:30 am liturgy inviting the Gethsemane faithful to give a gift benefiting the Gethsemane Food Pantry. Celebrate the 32nd anniversary of this ministry by giving a generous donation on “Souper Bowl Sunday.” 

Events, YOUTH

Trail of Treats 2021

Join the Gethsemane community for a spook-tacular good time at our first-ever “Trail of Treats” event!

Saturday, October 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Thanks for a SPOOK-tacularly Successful Event!
Everyone had such a wonderful time at Trail of Treats 2021! We had some incredibly creative treat tables and lots of children from GLC, GLCM and Georgian Acres families. Thanks to all of the amazing volunteers who helped to make this event a success!

VBS, YOUTH

Gethsemane “Rainforest Adventure” Virtual VBS: June 21-25, 2021

All are welcome to join us for our Virtual VBS, Rain Forest Adventure, 9:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. each morning, June 21-25. If you have pre-registered, you may pick-up your VBS packet this Saturday, June 18th between
11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Drive up the northside driveway and someone will bring your packet to your car from the narthex!

VBS Virtual Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89197937652?pwd=VStTczFDTVp3bHBqVllsNjkreFNvUT09

“Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord!” -1st Chronicles 16:33

Giving Opportunitites, YOUTH

Virtual Thanksgiving Eve Youth Service

Youth and their families, will share with the Gethsemane family what they are thankful for along with songs of thanksgiving. Come, ye thankful people, come!

Join us online Wednesday evening, November 25th at 7:00 p.m. for our Virtual Thanksgiving Eve Youth Worship Service.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89197937652…
Meeting ID: 891 9793 7652
Passcode: 946118

The spirit of Thanksgiving is to give and Gethsemane congregants are invited to donate to the Gethsemane Food Pantry:
Give through the Gethsemane website.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good.”

Events, Learning, YOUTH

November was Wellness Month at Gethsemane

If you missed any of our virtual wellness sessions in November, you can now watch recordings of them! Links available below.

WEEKLY VIRTUAL WELLNESS SESSIONS

Virtual wellness sessions for all ages weekly throughout the month of November:

Week 1:

EXERCISE/YOGA – Free virtual yoga session led by Dana Huntsman on Sunday, November 1st at 3 p.m.
This yoga session is suitable for all ages and abilities. Wear comfortable clothes, grab a yoga mat/towel and water, and join us! Exercise involves engaging in physical activity and increasing the heart rate beyond resting levels. It is an important part of preserving physical and mental health. Yoga is an excellent form of exercise as it develops a relationship between your body, mind, and spirit through different body postures, meditation and breathing patterns. Maintaining a regular yoga practice provides numerous physical and mental health benefits.

WATCH THE RECORDING: https://www.facebook.com/114035451960346/videos/3432627210154027

Week 2:

MENTAL HEALTH – Free virtual “Families Together” Mental Health Workshop led by NAMI Central Texas on Saturday, November 7th from 1-3 p.m.
In the United States, almost half of adults will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. Hear compelling personal stories about living with mental illness and achieving recovery. Understand the reality of living with mental health conditions that are often invisible to others. You’ll also have a chance to ask questions, which allows for a deeper understanding of mental health conditions and helps dispel stereotypes and misconceptions.

*No recording available for this session, but NAMI Central Texas offers this session frequently through their website: https://namicentraltx.org/families/online-family-class/

Week 3:

NUTRITION – Free virtual workshop on nutrition led by Gethsemane member Tracy Anderson on Sunday, November 15th at 3 p.m.
Eating a nutritious diet offers numerous health benefits that keep you mentally and physically well. Healthy food provides the energy you need to keep active throughout the day and the nutrients you need for growth and repair, helping you to stay strong and healthy.

WATCH THE RECORDING: https://www.facebook.com/114035451960346/videos/373334784088298

Week 4:

SLEEP – Free virtual workshop on sleep hygiene led by Gethsemane member Mary Lou Newman on Sunday, November 22nd at 3 p.m.
We have so many demands on our time—jobs, family, errands—not to mention finding time to relax. To fit everything in, we often sacrifice sleep. But sleep is vital to your well-being. Insufficient sleep is linked to a host of health problems, from depression to cardiovascular disease. Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle.

WATCH THE RECORDING: https://www.facebook.com/114035451960346/videos/737540007111701

Week 5:

MEDITATION/MINDFULNESS – Free virtual workshop on meditation and mindfulness led by Pastor Susan Schnelle on Sunday, November 29th at 3 p.m.
Studies have shown mindfulness meditation to positively impact both mental and physical health by reducing stress, improving sleep, increasing focus and improving relationships.

WATCH THE RECORDING: https://www.facebook.com/114035451960346/videos/377117903540834

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

Join us for Sunday morning virtual worship services, which will also be centered around wellness during the month of November.

Learning, YOUTH

Virtual Mental Health Workshops for Teens & Parents

Join us online on Sunday, October 18th from 3-4 p.m. for two simultaneous workshops – one for teens and one for parents – led by NAMI Central Texas.

This event is FREE, but you must register to receive the Zoom access link.
Parent registration form: https://forms.gle/MTMH4DHNLAgNzjhCA
Teen registration form: https://forms.gle/LxrDCfSMidxUaCqU7

ENDING THE SILENCE – PRESENTATION FOR TEENS

Geared to middle and high school students; presenters include a positive role model – a young adult living in recovery from a mental health condition

Understanding what it means to live with a mental health condition is critical for middle and high school students – especially given that 50% of all lifetime cases of mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24. This presentation is geared to not only raise awareness of mental health conditions but to reduce the stigma so that individuals can seek help.

What students will learn:

  • Signs and symptoms of mental illness
  • Statistics on mental illness and it’s affect on middle and high school students
  • How to seek help for themselves or a friend
  • Recovery and coping strategies
  • Understanding mental illness and ways to reduce the stigma

What students will keep:

  • Contact information for mental health agencies and youth support services
  • List of symptoms and warning signs of mental illness

LET’S TALK – PRESENTATION FOR PARENTS

More than 40% of teens are not receiving the care and treatment they need–often because they are too embarrassed to talk about mental health or don’t know how to ask for help. Parents don’t know how to bring up this difficult subject with their children either. This one-hour presentation empowers parents to talk to their teens about mental health by dispelling mental health myths and providing useful resources and healthy language to use.

What parents will learn:

  • How to talk to your teen about mental health
  • The difference between bad behavior and symptoms of mental illness
  • Early warning signs of a teen in crisis