Calendar & Events

Sunday Evenings
6:00 – 8:00 pm

8th GRADE QUEST THEOLOGY CLASS

• Valley Church Toddler Nursery (main level)
• Meeting Dates:
  • March 2, 23
  • April 6, 13
  • May 4 (Final party)

Questions? Email joeb@valley.church.

Wednesday, February 26
6:30 – 8:00 pm

FITNESS NIGHT

• Valley Community Center
• No RSVP required; just show up

Wear comfortable clothing because we’re going to be active and have fun getting exercise!

Wednesday, March 5
6:30 – 8:00 pm

FRUIT NIGHT

• Valley Community Center
• No RSVP required; just show up

There will be lots of different kinds of fruit for people to sample on this night!

Saturday, March 8
6:00 – 9:00 pm

SUPER SATURDAY

• Cost: $15
• Drop off and pick up at Valley Community Center
• Register by Friday, March 7

We’re going on a progressive fast food dinner! Hop on a bus with us and enjoy a night filled with food items from various fast food restaurants. We’ll grab French fries from McDonald’s, churros from Taco John’s, limeades from Sonic, and sandwiches from Chick Fil A before finishing with ice cream sundaes at the Valley Community Center. Students are encouraged to invite friends to hear the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ!

Wednesday, March 12
6:30 – 8:00 pm

MINUTE TO WIN IT NIGHT

• Valley Community Center
• No RSVP required; just show up

We’re bringing back an old favorite. We’ll do a series of Minute To Win It games and compete as grade teams.

Wednesday, March 19

NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT PROGRAM

• Happy spring break!

Wednesday, March 26
6:30 – 8:00 pm

SUPERHERO NIGHT

• Valley Community Center
  
• No RSVP required; just show up

Everyone is encouraged but not required to wear a superhero shirt!

Wednesday, April 2
6:30 – 8:00 pm

CAR NIGHT

• Valley Community Center
• No RSVP required; just show up

We’ll have a car show in the parking lot featuring volunteers’ cars, and students will get to vote on who gets prizes in different categories!

Sunday, April 6
11:00 am – 12:15 pm

5th GRADE PARENT MEETING

• Location: TBD
• No RSVP required

This meeting is for parents of students who will be entering 6th grade in fall  2025. Parents will be able to meet middle school staff, connect with other parents, learn about the developmental significance of middle school, learn how students can make a smooth transition into the Middle School Ministry, and ask questions. You don’t want to miss this!

Wednesday, April 9
6:30 – 8:00 pm

SENIOR NIGHT

• Valley Community Center
• No RSVP required; just show up

You are encouraged but not required to either dress like a senior citizen or dress like your favorite high school senior. We’ll hear from some of our high school seniors and honor the seniors who are graduating this spring.

Saturday, April 12
5:00 – 9:30 pm

SLIPPER FORMAL

• Cost: $20
• RSVP by Wednesday, April 9
• Drop off and pick up at Valley Church Main Entrance

Students will dress up in formal attire. For example, guys can wear black pants, a button down shirt, and a tie. Girls can wear moderate dresses. In addition to being in formal dress, students can wear slippers on their feet! Parents are invited to a student fashion show in the Chapel from 5:00-5:30. After that students and leaders will eat dinner at the Jordan Creek Mall Food Court. Then we’ll go do a photo scavenger hunt around Des Moines while in our formal attire!

Sunday, April 13
8:15, 9:30 & 11:00 Services

BAPTISM SUNDAY

Baptism is an important moment in the lives of Christ-followers! Baptism is not required for salvation but it is a significant moment in the life of a follower of Jesus! Middle Schoolers will have the chance to get baptized at any of the Sunday morning worship gatherings. To get baptized, middle schoolers must complete the following three steps:

1. Attend a 15-minute Explore Baptism Gathering. Parents are encouraged to join their student but not required. Students only need to attend one session. Explore Baptism Gatherings:
   • Wednesday, February 26, 8-8:15pm at Valley Community Center
   • Sunday, March 2, 10:45-11am at Valley Community Center
   • Wednesday, March 5, 8-8:15pm at Valley Community Center
   • Sunday, March 9, 10:45-11am at Valley Community Center
2. Fill out the online baptism form. After you submit the form, someone from our team will contact you with next steps!
3. Record a baptism testimony video to be played during your baptism service. A registration for a date and time coming soon.

Wednesday, April 16
6:30 – 8:00 pm

OPEN GYM & MOVIE NIGHT

• Valley Community Center
• No RSVP required; just show up

We’re going to have a laid-back night where students to can play games in gym or watch a movie in the Cafe! Students will vote on what movie we watch. And yes, we’ll serve snaaacks, too!

Sunday, April 20

NO SUNDAY MORNING PROGRAM

• Happy Easter!

Wednesday, April 23
6:30 – 8:00 pm

PET NIGHT

• Valley Community Center
• No RSVP required; just show up

Students are encouraged to bring their pets for a show-and-tell outside the Valley Community Center front entrance from about 6:30-6:50pm. Then parents can bring the pets home while we enjoy the rest of the night. No pets are allowed inside the Valley Community Center.

Wednesday, April 30
6:30 – 8:00 pm

LAST NIGHT PARTY

• Valley Community Center
• No RSVP required; just show up

All 6th-8th grade students and leaders are invited to come celebrate our final Wednesday night of ministry with a party! Stay tuned for more details.

Wednesday, May 7
6:00 pm – Dark

VOLUNTEER DINNER

• Location: Joe Budish’s house (500 Knoll Dr, Norwalk)
• Rain back up location: Valley Community Center

There is no student programming on this night. This event is only for weekly middle school volunteers and their families. We will honor and celebrate their amazing service throughout the past school year

Wednesday, May 14
6:30 – 8:00 pm

5th GRADE HOME VISITS

During this fun event, incoming 7th and 8th grade students will greet soon-to-be 6th graders at their homes. We will greet you, get to know you a little bit, and share a gift!

Wednesday, May 21
6:00 – 8:00 pm

8th GRADE PARTY

• Cost: $25 (Cost covers 1 meal, transportation, snacks, and activities
• RSVP by Sunday, May 18
• Drop off and pick up location TBD

It’s time for our 8th graders to have one last hurrah in the Middle School Ministry! We’re still working on our specific plans and it’s going to be a fun night!

Sunday, June 1
9:30 – 10:45 am

MOVE-UP SUNDAY

• Valley Community Center Gym
• No RSVP required; just show up

The Middle School Ministry is excited to welcome our newest members! New 6th graders should come to the Valley Community Center Gym at 9:30, along with new 7th and 8th graders. We will make sure the new students receive a warm welcome!