Presbyterian Youth Connection -PYC
Do you want to be a part of an active group that has a great time, does some real ministry, talks about the hard questions, provides leadership and innovative ideas for the faith community, and is there for each other? It’s all there in the PYC.
Youth play an integral part of our life together at Springdale, sharing in leadership in worship and mission, serving on ministry teams and even part as part of the church’s leadership Session.
Everyone is welcomed—church members, friends and strangers alike.
During the school year the Middle School and High School youth groups meet together, sharing food, of course, but also much more. We’ve worked in clay, played outrageous games, brought questions and situations from our everyday lives to explore together in with faithful folks, and learned all kinds of skills as we minister to others.
The summer months also bring a variety of engaging activities. The girls might meet at Starbucks, and the guys go mountain biking or the group may go to the Montreat Youth Conference, or undertake exciting activities right here at home.
Check out Springdale’s PYC on Facebook—Springdale Presbyterian Youth Connection or Springdale Presbyterian PYC.
PYC Mission Experiences
Each year the Presbyterian Youth Connection has the opportunity to travel regionally and/or internationally to do ministry as a group. Mission trips are powerful ways to become a community of close friends, step out in faith, grow spiritually, and have a great time while serving others who we might not have even noticed before.
Regional Mission Trips 
Eastern Kentucky is a favorite regional destination. We spend our time painting houses, and generally giving encouragement and help. Along the way, we have learned how to clog, seen the Natural Bridge, swum in the state park pool, played some great card games and enjoyed being around horses, chickens, and kittens.
We have also ministered in partnership with the Martha O’Bryan Community Center in Nashville, Tenn. We have done yardwork, washed windows and vans, delivered meals, helped with a children’s fair, worked in the food pantry and clothes closet, and, of course, explored all that the Music City has to offer. These regional trips are for 6th-12 graders.
Jamaica/USA Exchange 
Ocean breezes, white sand, palm trees, mist covered mountains—Jamaica. Green hillsides, the Ohio River, race horses—Kentucky. Though the Jamaica/USA Exchange, teams from Andrews Memorial United Church, in Mandeville, Jamaica, and Springdale experience new cultures and places, see what faith looks like in new circumstances, and develop life-long friendships.
Springdale Exchange participants visiting Jamaica have helped lead Bible School and worship, painted a building, visited homes for boys and for older adults, weeded a roundabout, explored Kingston, climbed Dunns River Falls or enjoyed the beach at Nigril, shared our culture and gotten a taste for what it means to take leaps of faith to share Christ’s love in new ways.
In the United States we have ministered to the homeless, delivered meals, done yardwork and painted, helped at a child development center, shared our culture, helped lead worship, gone to amusement parks, visited Mammoth Cave, done ministry in Appalachia, staffed the Worship Arts Camp, and shopping, and seen ministry in our community through new eyes.
This partnership in ministry is currently on a three year rotation—a year in Louisville, a year in Jamaica, and a year for other conferences. The USA/Jamaica Exchange travel team is made up of graduated 10th-12th high schoolers who will travel during the first two weeks of July the summer of 2012. The travel team from Jamaica visited Louisville in July 2011 to partner in ministry with SPC.
The congregation is in partnership with us providing some financial support and lots of spiritual support. The team shares their experiences with those who did not get to travel.
Local Ministry 
The youth at SPC are involved in many local ministries. They take part in the Hunger Walk link to Hunger Walk to raise money, prepare meals for the homeless, collect and sort canned goods, hammer with Habitat for Humanity, share alternative Christmas cards, teach church school and help with summer activities, and explore ways to minister in everyday life (yes, even school).
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