New Children, Youth, and Family Coordinator
Hello St. Matthew's Family and Friends!
My name is Charis Wirtley, and I am the new Children, Youth, & Family Coordinator! Words cannot begin to express how excited I am to start this new journey here with such a loving and welcoming congregation! It has been a long journey to get to this point, and I am absolutely ecstatic to get to call St. Matthew's and Washington my new home!
I am no stranger to the ELCA, as I grew up as a pastor's daughter! I got to live in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Texas, so I have lived all over! While we lived in Texas, I attended Blinn College to get my Associate of Arts in Music. After graduating from Blinn College, I transferred to Texas Lutheran University where I received dual degrees in Vocal Performance and Theology (with a pre-counseling concentration)!
I'm not sure what y'all would like to know about me, so I decided to make a random paragraph of things I like to do and things I care about (so if this paragraph feels all over the place, that's why). Outside of work, I love to play the Sims 4 on my laptop, play guitar, read, and write poetry! I have a deep love for my family: my dad Jerry, my mom Krista, and my two younger sisters Carina and Calea! I love the colors pastel yellow and pastel green! I have a deep commitment to radical love and the knowledge that all people are created in the image of God and nothing will separate us from the unconditional love of God, no matter what the world may say!
I am so ready to begin the amazing life of Children, Youth, & Family Coordinator and I hope to just uplift the incredible work already happening to new levels where we can continue to build and grow such an amazing program for children & youth here at St. Matthew's! If you have any questions for me, or any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to find me Sunday mornings or email me! I would love to hear from you! Thank you for such a warm welcome!
Youth Ministry
Meals, Fellowship, Service, Faith, and Fun!
We’re offering events on different days and times so more students can find something that fits their schedule. No two gatherings are the same—sometimes it’s a relaxed night in the comfy couch room with a tasty meal and fun games, and other times we’re out in the community helping with a service project or packing gift bags for families in need. Every once in a while, we’re heading off on a retreat to places like Hood Canal.
At the start of each year, youth help shape the plan by sharing their ideas. That way, what we do reflects what matters most to them—like painting rocks with messages of hope, organizing meaningful service activities, or just finding time to laugh and connect.
Youth Ministry does so much throughout the year, we can’t list it all here! Want to learn more or get involved? Contact Pastor Rachel
Affirmation, grades 6-12
New name, same journey—Confirmation is now Affirmation!
We will begin all together, then split into middle school and high school groups to engage topics that matter most to them. Once a new CYF leader is in place, we hope to shift Affirmation gatherings to Sundays after worship or midweek with a meal. We are aware that Sundays from 1-2:30pm is not an ideal time, however it is what we have capacity for this fall.
Fall Schedule
Sundays 1-2:30
Oct 12, 26, Nov 2, 16, Dec 14
Youth Retreats: Fall and Spring
Meals, Fellowship, Service, Faith, and Fun!
Youth retreats happen throughout the year to help students grow in their faith and build friendships. These special weekends are a break from everyday life and include worship, learning, and time in nature. They help youth connect with God and each other in a fun and meaningful way.
THIS FALL
All middle school and high school youth are invited to join attend the Synod Fall Retreat at Black Diamond Camp. The theme is “Finding God in Unexpected Places.”
Transportation: St. Matthew’s leaders will provide round-trip transportation
Cost: $125 (includes two nights lodging and four meals)
Leadership Lab
1 week in summer
Leadership Lab teaches students how to be leaders while growing closer to Jesus and their community. The goal is for students to learn skills they can use at church, school, and in their neighborhoods. There are six different levels for high school students, young adults, and adults.
The hope is that both youth and adults will work together to learn and practice what true leadership looks like in the community of Christ.
