Welcome to Youth Group

This is a group of people from our church and the community that regularly meet at church.

What is GEMS?

GEMS is an acronym for Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior. Our vision is to see girls in grades 4-8 actively and enthusiastically expressing love for God and others- girls equipped, motivated, and passionately engaged in living out their faith. Our mission is to bring girls everywhere into a living, dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.

About This Year

We are excited to be starting another year of GEMS! As counsellors, we look forward to having the girls back again, and all the anticipation of what lies ahead this year. The GEMS Club will be under the continued
leadership of Lindsey DeVries, Siena Dean, Kristin Groeneveld and Jessica Menkhorst. We are all praying for a great season of learning, sharing gifts and talents, and having fun together as a group.

This year’s theme is “Rise Up: Lessons from Queen Esther ” based on Isaiah 40:31. We will learn our truth-filled identity and five truths about God to help us stand strong in our faith, whatever the circumstances. We will discover that GOD is our King and Deliverer, plus He is trustworthy, always at work, and with us wherever we go.

Our evening

Times and What to Bring

As GEMS leaders, we have a few requests in order to make our GEMS season flow a little more smoothly: we ask that the girls come prepared to the meetings, both in appearance and in mind. We ask that all caregivers drop off the girls at the church by 6:55 p.m. on Monday nights so that we can get started right at 7:00. They are to be picked up at 8:30 p.m. All members are expected to wear their GEMS. The GEMS are also asked to take along their bag with lesson material/ badge book and Bible.

Evening Schedule

At 7pm, we begin with our opening devotions, singing and a short game.

On our regular meeting nights, we split into two groups to work on GEMS badges. We also take a break to enjoy snacks that we have brought from home.

Some nights are special nights with games or crafts. These nights are scheduled ahead.

Please see the yearly schedule below.

Parental Approval

During the season, there may be a few off-site activities with the GEMS. Since these events may involve carpooling, we ask that you sign the registration form which will give us counsellors permission to transport your children to and from these events. You can be assured that the care and safety of your children is very important to us. At this time, we are also asking for permission to post pictures of GEMS on the Williamsburg CRC Facebook page or on the church website (see the permission form below). We would like to respect all of your concerns in this matter.