The first week that we came to the New Plymouth branch, we helped push attendance over 100 for one of the first times in quite a few years. For the next couple of years, we were comfortable over 100 every week, but lately attendance has been dropping. (People moving out.)
This pictures shows our YW/YM program. YM president on the left, and then our four active youth.
Erin and Kira, the awesome YW presidency, are not pictured. There's two other girls, Aisha and Caroline, that sometimes come, too.
Since this picture was taken, however, John just got sent to live with his family in Auckland, and Ellie's family has announced plans to move away in the next 6 months. In other words, it looks like Oak and Mercy will be the only two active youth in our branch in a few months.
Parallel to the shrinking youth program, is our shrinking branch attendance. Recently, we had 51 people at sacrament meeting, causing one knowledgeable old-timer to remark that it was the lowest attendance in 15 years.
Our youth program is not big, but it is thriving in important ways. My kids come home from activities feeling happy. They are in relationships with impressive adults who care about them. Their teachers prepare good lessons and try to tailor them specifically to the kids. I couldn't ask for better youth leaders. The time commitment being asked of my kids seems about right. Oak and Mercy are sharing experiences with each other in a way that wouldn't be possible in a bigger youth program.
The district has a youth devotional every month where we see kids from the nearby branches. In addition, there is an EFY-type program every other year in Auckland for youth from the entire region.
I feel like our kids are thriving in the youth program here.
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Halloween: not a big deal in New Zealand, but Oak happened to get invited to a Halloween party...
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This picture cracks me up!
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| When one of the princesses scrapes her knees doing a twirl. |
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