ABOUT ZACKLEYS!!

The Zackley Youth Group is a youth fellowship focused on senior high school students.  The program is intentional in the desire to have teen age youth interact with each other regarding issues of faith and how their faith is part of their individual lives.  Another purpose of the group is to learn how to be and develop a community of faith that allows the youth to explore issues that touch their lives, experience an environment that is safe, and learn acceptance of others and their opinions.  This is achieved through a variety of learning opportunities which include weekly Sunday night meetings, several retreats, a Mission/Work Trip held each year during Spring Break, and the Annual Zackley Boundary Waters Canoe Trip.

The Zackley Youth Group meets throughout the school year each Sunday night from 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm in the Zackley Youth Room.  Each Sunday night there is discussion on a designated topic, games played, or any other means needed to bring an understanding of the topic.  Issues pertinent to youth are addressed, such as peer pressure, trust, communication, dealing with parents, etc.  There are occasions when the time is set aside for social events as well.

There are several retreats scheduled yearly.  All retreats are held at Tower Hill Retreat Center in Sawyer, Michigan.  The Fall Retreat is scheduled for the end of October when the focus is on community building.  The Spring Retreat which is held the last week of April focuses on finding and being in a mutual and loving relationship.

The Mission/Work Trip is an opportunity for the youth to give something back to the community/world.  Each year the group determines where they want to go and what it is they would like to do.  There have been trips to rehab homes, learn about world hunger, work in an HIV/AIDS home, and community service projects.  This event is held in the Spring. It is a wonderful time for the group to learn about helping others and how fortunate our lives are.

Each summer the Zackleys take a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of northern Minnesota.  This trip is usually the last week of July.  The purpose of the trip is to provide an opportunity for the youth to experience the wilderness.  The youth not only learn basic camping skills but also become more aware of their strengths and abilities in life.  This includes coping skills, considering the amount of work involved, as well as learning how to live with others in a group setting.  This is a very powerful experience for youth and adults as well.

The Zackley Youth program is aimed at encouraging our youth to know that God is a vital part of our lives.  Our faith makes us well-rounded people and our world a better place because we have made a difference.  We hope you will join us.

For more information contact Hope Molozaiy at (708) 352-0800 or at hope@fcclg.org.

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