For more than 20 years, members of the community are invited to partake in a meal provided by the middle school youth group at the Lowell United Methodist Church once a month. In kind donations are accepted and proceeds are used to go toward the group’s mission trip. The next dinner begins at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, April 10.
On the Menu
Part of the meal is prepared during the afternoon when students are in school. Once school is out and the students arrive, they help with chopping, mixing, and setting tables. Once guests start arriving they help with serving the meal and clean up once everyone has been served.
The April meal will be the last until the fall. Dinners take place once a month September through April. Dates for the school year are set in August. The menu has been the same for a number of years and put together by the group’s adult advisors. Food for the month’s meal is purchased locally, using Gary’s Country Meats and Meijer.
May’s dinner included ham and cheesy potatoes. Those who head out for the April meal will be treated to turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, corn, and salad followed by a choice of cheesecake or pumpkin bars for dessert. Beverages are also available.
Goal in Sight
Money raised throughout the school year via these monthly dinners is used for the group’s annual mission trip. This year the middle school students will head to Pennsylvania in June to work at a summer camp. The group will perform general maintenance tasks and visit local attractions.
The middle school youth group has seven adult advisors who have been working together for over 12 years. Kevin Smith and Mark Mundt have been with the group for 25 and 20 years respectively. Theresa Mundt and Cyndie Wierzbicki have both helped out for 15 years while Jaclyn and Jason Stouten have been part of the leadership group for 12 years. Mark Mundt started with the group when his oldest child was in 7th grade. Jaclyn was part of the group as a middle school student which had such an impact on her that she has returned to be the head adviser.
During the school year the middle school youth group meets nearly every Sunday evening. Meetings entail a game, student led discussion on a topic of their choice, singing, and a snack. Mark Mundt also adds that once a month the group also does a service project. Projects have included closing a summer camp in Pentwater, serving lunch at the Christmas Through Lowell event, sorting books at the library, and packing dry soup ingredients to be shipped to areas around the world. With both Mark and Theresa retiring last year, the two have also been able to get kids from the group involved with FROM sorting donated items and cleaning and painting FROM housing.
Additionally, the group does a fun activity once a month. Past outings have included hay rides, winter tubing and an overnight, a weekend retreat, and a fun day at AJ’s Family Fun Park. The members of the group and their adult leaders are well-rounded in their activities and mission.
Take a Look
Those interested in learning about the Lowell United Methodist Church’s middle school youth group or other ministry groups offered can look at a list online.
The middle school group is eager to welcome anyone interested in having a nice meal in the lower level of the church. The meal begins at 5:30, the environment is friendly and relaxed, and donations received go toward a good cause. If you’re not able to make it April 10, the group will establish fall dates at the end of summer.
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