In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are hosting a At-Home/Virtual VBS program where kids and families explore what it means to have compassion for others, ourselves, and the world. While this At-Home/Virtual VBS is geared toward both preschoolaged children and K-5th graders, it is extremely flexible, adaptable, and fun for the entire family, older siblings included.
During COVID-19, we will be doing check-ins with 2nd & 3rd Year Confirmation Students on these dates:
April 29th, May 13th, & May 27th
We will share the times and Zoom links via email. If you would like to receive text message reminders or to join the email list, please email our Youth & Family Leader, Heidi: heidi@firstluthbd.org or call the church office (920) 885-4497 ex. 115 to leave a message for Heidi.
Want to stay in touch and keep in touch with ministries here at First? Please join our groups through the Band App. Scan these QR codes to join! If you would like to learn more, contact our Youth & Family Leader, Heidi.
QR Codes coming soon!
Coming soon!
Heidi Muenchow serves as our Youth & Family Leader. She lives in Horicon with her husband Bryce, their two children Gale and Nora, and their two pups, Claire & Baxter. She enjoys doing arts and crafts and being outside, as well as hanging out with family and friends, playing piano and guitar, sewing, reading, and horseback riding. Heidi also loves cooking and baking. She feels very blessed to be a member at First and on the First Lutheran staff!
Adventure Kids: Text @elemyouth to 81010
Sunday School: Text @ssatfirst to 81010
Confirmation: Text @confirm1st to 81010
Middle & Mighty: Text @middlemig to 81010
CREW: Text @firstcrew to 81010
9th Hour: Text @9thhourur to 81010
Youth Council: Text @firstyc to 81010
Mission Team: Text @1stmisteam to 81010
Adventure Kids = Elementary Youth Group
Middle & Mighty (M&M) = Middle School Youth Group - meets at 9:15 AM on Sundays
CREW (Christians, Ready, Equipped, & Willing) = High School Youth Group - meets at 9:30 AM on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays
Youth & Family Ministry Team
In 2015, a group of youth, parents, and staff met to strategically plan for the future of the youth and family ministry at First Lutheran. They identified strengths, goals, and the 8 foundations on which to build up this ministry. These are listed below, and not in any order:
Be Present
Worship
Service Projects/Mission
Cross+Generations/Household Ministry
Education and Study
Church ministry
Fellowship
Retreats/Outdoor Ministry
If you are interested in joining the conversation about living out this ministry, please join us every first Tuesday at 6pm in the Youth Room.
Milestone Ministry
Walking with parents every step of their Baptismal journey, Milestone Ministry empowers families to Keep the Promise and Pass on the Faith. Milestone Ministry provides special workshops and celebrations to guide families through their child's faith life. Some milestones include: Backpack Blessing, Children’s Bible Gifting Program, First Communion, Confirmation, and Graduation.
Adventure Kids
Christian friendships are so important in a child's life. Fun is important too! We tie these two together in purely fun activities for 1st through 5th graders. Monthly activities in the past have included skating, bowling, snow tubing and more. Each event is packed with fun opportunities to get to know other kids. And they all include a God moment to remind us why we gather and whose we are. (1st & 2nd grade youth need an adult with them)
Middle & Mighty (M&M)
This is our ministry of fun and fellowship times for middle school students (6th - 8th grade) only. Past events have included snowboard/skiing, scavenger hunts, a Noah's Ark trip and lock-in overnights. Middle School is full of crazy fun times specially designed for YOU!! It's a great place to invite your friends and show them just how much fun church can be!
Youth Confirmation
Our 3 year curriculum and Family format is a perfect match for the high energy of middle school students. We mix up nights of learning and spiritual growth through providing a format that includes interactive learning times, group building games, teaching by the pastors, family faith-talk sharing, worship, snacks, drama, video, music and art. Then we add in caring adults as mentors for faith conversations. Wow! That's new and improved Confirmation!
**1st, 2nd, 4th, & 5th Wednesdays at 6:45 PM. All students 6th grade and older are welcome!
CREW (Christians, Ready, Equipped, & Willing)
Our high schoolers are active with various activities. During the school year we plan for special trips, including the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas! Our Youth Missions Group plans many events during the year to raise funds for this and other trips. Car washes, brat frys and candy sales are just a few of the ways they earn money for this purpose. During the Lenten season they help out with our soup suppers and organize and serve at our annual Holy Week Breakfast on Palm Sunday. They are very busy!
Upper Room Programming
First Lutheran is dedicated to the community of Beaver Dam. We have an after school program called the 9th Hour and it is open to all Middle School students Monday through Thursday from 3-5 PM during the school year and Monday through Friday (12-3pm)in the summer. 9th Hour is staffed with adults who care and offers a variety of snacks, games, music, movies, and fun. Come join us and bring your friends!
ELCA Youth Gathering
Our group went on a mission trip to Houston in 2018. The next Youth Gathering will be held in Minneapolis in 2021. If you are interested in participating, please contact Heidi, our Youth & Family Leader.
Heidi Muenchow serves as our Director of Congregational Life. She lives in Horicon with her husband Bryce, their two children Gale and Nora, and their two pups, Claire & Baxter. She enjoys doing arts and crafts and being outside, as well as hanging out with family and friends. She grew up in Brookings, SD and attended Luther College for Elementary Education. Heidi loves sharing her passions with others. Three fun facts about her are she was a pole vaulter in high school, she volunteered for a year doing music and relational ministry, and she knows how to ride a unicycle.