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Friday, December 2 – Saturday, December 3

8TH GRADE MINNEAPOLIS TRIP

  • Cost: $80
  • Register by November 27
  • Drop off at Valley Church at 5 pm on Friday, Dec 2
  • Pick up at Valley Church at 10:00 pm on Saturday, Dec 3
  • Bring a sack supper on Friday

Bring overnight stuff because we will spend Friday night sleeping at a church in the Twin Cities! On Saturday, we will have fun exploring the Twin Cities, including Minnehaha Falls and the Mall Of America. Space is limited to 25 students so get signed up before spots fill.

Registration Closed
Wednesday, December 7
6:30 – 8:00 pm

UGLY SWEATER PARTY

  • Valley Community Center
  • No RSVP; just show up!
  • Eat dinner before you come

We are having a Christmas party that will include dessert, games, and Christmas songs. Students are encouraged but not required to wear an ugly Christmas sweater!

Sunday, December 11
6:00 – 8:30 pm

QUESTMAS (QUEST + CHRISTMAS)

  • Only for 8th grade students currently enrolled in Quest course
  • Mattes house: 23708 Heritage Dr, Adel, IA
  • Dinner Included
  • Cost: Free
  • No RSVP required, but please sign up to provide a part of the meal!
  • Bring Quest book, bible, writing utensil
  • Bring a fun, used white elephant gift from home

We’re having a special Christmas gathering for our 8th grade Quest students! We’ll eat dinner, do a Quest lesson, have a white elephant gift exchange, and hang out! Please sign up to provide part of the meal. Bring your Quest materials and a random white elephant gift from home. The white elephant gift should be used, already at your house, and something you’re not sad to part with. The more random and silly, the better! No special shopping trips or new items are needed for the white elephant exchange.

Sign up to bring food
Wednesday, December 14, 21, 28 & January 4

NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT PROGRAM

  • Off for Christmas and New Year’s
Sunday, December 25

NO SUNDAY MORNING PROGRAM

  • Off for Christmas
Wednesday, January 4
6:30 – 8:00 pm

VOLUNTEER KICKOFF: WINTER

  • Valley Church Chapel

There is no student programming tonight. This Volunteer Kickoff is for high school-aged students who volunteer in Middle School Ministry.

Wednesday, January 11
6:30 – 8:00 pm

WINTER KICK-OFF: BROOMBALL NIGHT

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

It’s time to kick off the new year with some fun! We’ll play broomball under the lights, have snacks by the firepits at the outdoor patio, and play games in the gym.

Friday, January 27 – Sunday, January 29

WINTER BLAST RETREAT

  • Cost: $155 by Wednesday, Jan 11; $175 from Jan 12-22
  • Registration closes Jan 23
  • Drop off at 5:00 pm on Jan 27 at Valley Church
  • Pick up at 12:30 pm on Jan 29 at Valley Church
  • Bring a sack supper for Friday night

It’s time to get away and spend an entire weekend with other students and staff from the Valley Middle School Ministry. We will drive up to Hidden Acres and spend the weekend playing snow games, attending exciting chapels and creating some really fun memories.

Register for Winter Blast
Friday, February 10
7:00 – 9:00 pm

NIGHT TO SHINE SERVICE OPPORTUNITY

  • Valley Community Center

Night To Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience for guests who have special needs or disabilities. This is a great opportunity to show God’s love through service! Middle school students will be able to be dance buddies, meaning they will fill out the dance floor and have fun with the Night To Shine guests.

Registration coming soon
Sunday, February 19
8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 am

BAPTISM SUNDAY

Baptism is an important moment in the lives of Christ-followers! Students will have the chance to get baptized at any of the Sunday morning worship services. 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. No RSVP is required; just show up! Gathering times:
    • Sunday, January 8 from 10:45-11:00am at Valley Community Center
    • Wednesday, January 11 from 8:00-8:15pm at Valley Community Center
    • Sunday, January 15 from 10:45-11:00am at Valley Community Center
    • Wednesday, January 18 from 8:00-8:15pm at Valley Community Center
    • Sunday, January 22 from 10:45-11:00am at Valley Community Center
    • Wednesday, January 25 from 8:00-8:15pm 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. Dates to sign up for your video recording will be coming soon.
Online baptism form
Sunday, February 26
9:30 – 10:45 am

PARENT CONNECT

  • Valley Community Center
  • No RSPV required

Middle School and High School students AND their parents are invited to this special Sunday morning program that will replace our normal programming for this week. We will talk about how families can build spiritually influential relationships with people who don’t know Jesus.

Saturday, March 4
1:00 – 4:00 pm

AMAZING RACE

  • Cost $10
  • Drop off and pick up at Valley Church

Have you ever seen the TV Show The Amazing Race? Middle school students will have a chance to show off their skills by working with a team to complete the Middle School Ministry Amazing Race in the fastest time! Students will get into teams with an adult and drive in cars around the Des Moines area.

Register for Amazing Race
Sunday, March 26
11:00 – 12:15 pm

5th GRADE PARENT MEETING

  • Room C2 – Lower Level of Valley Church
  • No RSVP required

This meeting is for parents of student who will be entering 6th grade in Fall 2023. 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 5

SMALL GROUP NIGHT

  • Time and location TBD by your small group leader
  • In lieu of normal Wednesday night program

We are not meeting at the Valley Community Center on this night. Small groups have the option to do a special hang-out somewhere around town for fun, connection and snacks! Details will be provided by your small group leader.

Sunday, April 9

NO SUNDAY MORNING PROGRAM 

  • Happy Easter!
Saturday, April 15
1:00 – 4:00 pm

LOVE YOU DES MOINES FAMILY DAY 

  • Valley Community Center

This day will be chalk-full of family events for the whole community! Invite your friends and neighbors to a day filled of fun, free family-friendly activities at the Valley Community Center. The purpose of the event is to help you build relationships with your neighbors and friends who don’t know Jesus. Some middle school students will also have the chance to help lead activities throughout the day! Specific details are coming soon.

Wednesday, April 26
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!

Wednesday, May 3
6:30 – 8:00 pm

VOLUNTEER STAFF APPRECIATION NIGHT

  • Location TBD

There is no student programming 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!

Sunday, May 7
9:30 – 10:45 am

8th GRADE FAITH STORIES

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

8th grade students will share their faith story during our Sunday morning program. We want all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to attend our Sunday morning program as normal. Parents, friends, and family of 8th grade students are also invited to attend!

Wednesday, May 17
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.

By completing this registration, you are committing to being at your home with your 5th grader on Wednesday, May 17. A team of adults and students from the Middle School Ministry will greet your 5th grader in your driveway to say hi, get to know him or her, and share a few special gifts! Questions? Email joeb@valley.church.

5th Grade Families Register
Saturday, May 20
11:00 am – 5:00 pm

7TH GRADE CAMP DAY (FOR STUDENTS FINISHING 7TH GRADE)

  • Wildwood Hills Ranch
  • Cost: $35
  • Registration required by Sunday, May 14
  • Lunch is provided
  • Drop off and pick up at Valley Church
  • Wear close-toed shoes
  • Wildwood Hills on-line waiver required

It’s time for 7th grade students to prepare to be the oldest class in the Middle School Ministry! All 7th graders are invited to spend an afternoon participating in the low ropes leadership experience at Wildwood Hills, a camp about 30 minutes south of Des Moines. Students will go through a variety of challenges that will help them grow their communication, team-building, and leadership skills. Afterward, we’ll have a few hours of free time at camp. The cost includes lunch, transportation, the low ropes fee, and a snack.

Register for 7th Grade Camp Day
Friday, June 2 at 4:00 pm – Saturday, June 3 at 11:00 am

8TH GRADE VACAY (FOR STUDENTS FINISHING 8TH GRADE)

  • Cost: $70 (covers 2 meals, transportation, lodging and swimming)
  • Registration required by May 28
  • Drop off and pick up at Valley Church

It’s time for our 8th graders to have one last hurrah in the Middle School Ministry! We will swim, eat dinner, stay overnight, and prepare for the transition into the Valley High School Ministry (8th Grade Move-Up into High School is Sunday, June 4). 8th graders will also have the chance to begin connecting with High School Ministry staff.

Register for 8th Grade Vacay
Sunday, June 4
9:30 – 10:45 am

MOVE-UP SUNDAY

  • Valley Community Center Gym
  • No Registration 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!

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