Junior High Youth News
News about events and activities of St. Paul's Junior High Youth
U.N.I. Lock-In teaches
youth about the Church
“You are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Ephesians 2:19-20
St. Paul’s took a group of 11 junior high youth to the Middle School Lock-In recently held at the U.N.I. Recreation Center. The event drew about 400 youth from churches across Iowa. The entire recreation center was open for the youth to enjoy, including the swimming pool, rock climbing wall, racquetball courts, ping-pong tables, and basketball courts. It was a chance for the youth to meet other young people and grow together in their faith.
The theme, “Christ the Cornerstone” was based on Ephesians 2:19-20, and focused on eight important truths that make up the church, founded on “Christ the cornerstone.” Students broke into small groups and searched for eight learning stations located throughout the Rec Center. The learning stations were led by students from U.N.I.’s Lutheran Student Center, who also wrote the Bible study for the event. Learning stations included activities topics such as forgiveness, faith, prayer, community, and service. 
Pastor Mark Anderson, led one of the stations which centered on the grace of Christ that washes sin away. At the station, students wrote their sins down on pieces of paper, then gave the papers to Pastor Mark who used a blender to try to crush the paper. Only by adding three cups of water, in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, was the paper finally able to be blended into a white mixture symbolizing the grace and forgiveness found in Christ.
Wartburg’s Faith Alive team was also on hand to hang out with students and lead large group games during the night. The Northeast Iowa Lutheran Youth Organization
members were also on hand to serve snacks, drinks, and walking tacos during the night. St. Paul’s youth, Hannah Harms and Rachel Frantsen, were a part of the LYO crew that worked all night helping with the event. Courtney Geibert, a Wartburg student who is helping with St. Paul’s 6th grade confirmation class, also went along as a chaperone with our group, and amazingly stayed awake the entire night.
The youth from St. Paul’s had a great time swimming, climbing, playing, and learning during the event. It was a perfect situation to work on community building, 
and strengthen relationships between our youth, parents, and leaders. Thanks to the brave adults who helped drive the very excited group of youth to Cedar Falls on Friday night, as well as the very exhausted group back again Saturday morning. All but one student stayed up the entire night, not including Gabby Garbes who got a 10 minute nap just before we left U.N.I. It was a fun night filled with many great memories of learning and fun. The students are already excited about going back again next year.
Until then, I think I’ll go take a very long nap.
~ Paul Frantsen