Annual Report 2024-2025 - Flipbook - Page 23
The confirmation program continues to be a two-year program
for 7th and 8th graders. This year, 24, 7th graders, 14, 8th graders,
and their 13 guides, have focused on the overarching theme of
Storytelling / Telling Our Stories. Confirmation students meet for
pastor-led theme nights that draw upon Pastor John’s knowledge,
the Confirm Not Conform curriculum, and other resources.
Theme nights alternate with fellowship, service, and family nights.
The BCTF provides funding for a weekly dinner for confirmation
students so that they have an opportunity to recharge and spend
time together before jumping into the evening’s activities. The
board also supports the purchase of Bibles for students, the annual
confirmation retreat, group activities, service projects, and other
expenses associated with the confirmation program.
In addition to their Wednesday night meetings, confirmation
students have engaged in a great variety of service projects and
have had many opportunities to learn about the needs of our larger
Des Moines community. Eighth grade confirmation students led
the Easter Vigil service and participated in an off-site end-of-year
retreat at YMCA Boon Camp to reflect on whether they were
ready to accept the covenant of membership at Plymouth. Seventh
grade confirmation students will host a reception on Confirmation
Sunday to celebrate the conclusion of the year’s program.
Stepping Stones:
BCTF has continued to support the Stepping Stones program,
in which families gather during eight significant times during a
child’s life to provide a supportive place to nurture their family
faith. This year, two of the eight stones were offered. Pastor John
Tyson and Tracy Codel co-facilitated the 7th grade Stepping Stone
for 23 families. Tracy Codel facilitated the Senior Stepping Stone
for 15 families. The other six stones have been on pause due to
a lack of sufficient staff and facilitators and a re-evaluation of
whether some of the stones are a good fit for Plymouth youth.
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education:
Community interest remains strong in OWL programming,
but there are a limited number of available instructors. OWL
instructors have proposed a two-year rotation of four courses,
in which each course would be taught every other year. One
session, for fourth and fifth graders, was held this year for 13
students. BCTF and Plymouth staff are in discussion about
offering OWL instructor training in 2025 to increase the number
of available instructors.
Vacation Bible School (VBS):
With the help of Music Director Jade Fox, Samantha Whalen
created a thoughtful and fun VBS, Compassion Camp, for
45 children. These children learned lasting ways to show
compassion for their neighbors, families, community, and
themselves through acting, art, stories, music, yoga / stretching,
and more. They put their lessons into practice by stocking food
items in Plymouth’s little free pantry. In the upcoming program
year, BCTF will build upon its partnership with music staff to cosponsor the 2025 Creative Arts Camp.
Safety and Space Initiatives:
The Safety and Space Committee spent considerable time
during the summer cleaning and preparing spaces for the new
program year. This included donating items no longer in use
and rearranging storage to improve usage for staff and church
school teachers. Based on parent feedback, a big priority for the
committee this year was to provide recommendations to update
the Matins Tour medical paperwork. The committee did extensive
research and was able to provide recommendations to staff and
YEC on changes that align with Plymouth’s values and safety.
Family Fellowship:
BCTF continues to provide opportunities for families to come
together in community for fun and fellowship. BCTF hosted
three family field trips, including a pool party at Nahas Aquatic
Center in June, an outing to Jester Park in October, and an
afternoon at the RecPlex in February. Events at Plymouth
included the Advent Festival and Santa Brunch in December,
an Easter Festival, complete with Easter egg hunt, in April, and
Gym Nights throughout the year. The board’s Ash Wednesday
event was cancelled due to weather. BCTF looks forward to
hosting more family-focused events in the year to come.
Teen Programming:
This year, BCTF worked closely with the Youth Executive
Committee (YEC) to expand programming to teens. BCTF
helped to support a high school “Kick Off Dinner” in September
to welcome high school students to the new academic year and to
Plymouth’s teen programming. Teens were invited to Wednesday
night dinners, the annual lock-in, and a weekly Teen Scripture
Chat led by Pastor John and Pastor Luke. BCTF purchased new
audio/visual equipment to upgrade technological resources in the
Teen Room. High school students seeking Silver Cord volunteer
hours have been encouraged to volunteer for BCTF programming
to connect younger and older youth at Plymouth. Toward the
end of the year, Matins singers met with the confirmation class to
share their experiences in Matins, and eighth grade students were
welcomed to a Matins dinner and rehearsal to build connections
in programming from 8th grade to high school. BCTF and YEC
met several times throughout the year to coordinate our efforts,
and as part of those conversations, it was decided that YEC would
become a committee of BCTF to enhance communication and to
provide meaningful opportunities for Plymouth teens.
Board Members:
2024-2025
2024-2026
2024-2027
Rachel Bruns
Emily Andrews-Zambrano
Michelle Barker
Tracy Codel
Heather Groben
Jennie Knoebel
Jen Fox
Joe Hotek
Kevin McLean
Alice Fuglsang
Lina Reinders
Kyle Smith
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