I love the energy and excitement that comes with a new year. I enjoy routine, but sometimes our routines need a reset. January provides such an opportunity.

 

We had a great 2021, all things considered. Camp was a large focus of what we did, and it allowed us to spring into August with some great momentum. December, however, was a great month as well. We had a blast at Circles Live, then competed in the Christma-Lympics for our TSM Christmas party. Combine that with time together and caroling, and the Christmas season was so much fun.

 

For 2022, I’m looking forward to camp and the opportunities we are going to have there. But that’s not the best part of the year. We have some exciting events and opportunities, beginning with our Circles each Wednesday at 6pm. Circles provide an opportunity for students to navigate the intersection of faith and life. We’ve seen relationships with God and with each other deepen and hope to continue to see more and more students join us.

 

One final word: thank you to all the adults who have stepped up to help this past year. We could not do what we do without awesome people who love God and like teenagers (even just a little). Thanks for all you do!

 

– Wes Henson

 

 

Let me begin by saying a great big thank you to everyone who helped donate items for our Shoebox packing party on November 3. We were able to pack over 50 boxes, and then had individuals take home extra boxes to pack on their own, we ended up dropping off 60+ boxes.

 

I love watching traditions take shape. Some of the students who participated with us have been packing shoeboxes for years, and others were completely new to the process, but excited to keep it going.

 

That brings me to musings on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Built into the holiday season are opportunities for families to make the most of traditions. My brother and I still joke about looking at Christmas lights before getting to open presents (we were not fans of the tradition), but the shared memory helps us stay connected all these years later.

 

What traditions does your family have? How can you lean into them this season? Maybe there’s a new one you can start? One of the greatest opportunities we have as a family is to collectively look to God, and my prayer is you will do that this Christmas season.

 

 

The Students. We have some absolutely incredible students. I see it when we go on trips, but also in our weekly meetings. We have students who love being together, who love God, and who love having fun. Our middle schoolers have an enthusiasm that words can hardly describe. Our high schoolers are making an impact around them. Our student leaders (made up of middle schoolers and high schoolers) are eagerly learning how to make a difference, and they are making a difference.

 

The Adults. One of the best kept secrets when it comes to the Student Ministry is we have some top notch adults pouring into students’ lives. The adults who serve love Jesus and want to help model and encourage that love in those they serve. Whether that means they’re leading a table discussion on Sunday mornings (helping reinforce the scripture we’re studying), volunteering at an event, or teaching a lesson to their Circle on Wednesday nights, our adults are making a difference.

 

Glo Games. Never have I ever done an event like Glo Games before coming to Trinity. Black lights, dodgeball, face paint, photo booths, and a confetti drop are all excellent parts of Glo Games. But the most exciting part isn’t the games at all, it’s the way our students invite their friends to not only participate in what we do, but also to find a place where they can belong. Glo Games is more than games, it’s an introduction to the Trinity family, and something I’m always thrilled to help lead.