53 Meeting St.
Charleston, S.C. 29401
Worship at 10:00 a.m.
2021 ONLINE COMMITMENT
LIVE STREAMING
Youth
Youth Ministry Mission Statement
The Youth Ministry of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, supported by all members of the church community, is committed to nurturing young people into lifelong Christian discipleship by:
- Involving youth and their families in a safe and exciting Christian community
- Encouraging them to live spiritually rich, Biblically based, God centered lives
- And preparing them to extend the love of Christ to their community and beyond
First (Scots) Youth Ministry Values
We are called to love one another and treat one another with compassion, understanding, and respect.
We strive to create an environment that is physically and emotionally safe where youth feel comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance and support.
We seek to live as a community of faith in which everyone feels welcome.
We live with contagious excitement about our faith that draws others to become a part of our church family.
We explore the many gifts God has given us and we share them with one another.
We worship and serve God as part of a larger Christian community both as Presbyterians and as followers of Jesus Christ.
Youth Ministry Staff
James Rogers
ASSOCIATE PASTOR FOR YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES
James oversees the youth ministry of the church including Sunday Night Youth Fellowship, Confirmation, retreats, conferences, and mission trips. He regularly assists in worship leadership on Sunday mornings, leads Kindergarten Chapel, and often serves as the Dinner Dean for Kirk Club. He participates on both the Christian Education and Evangelism Committees and works with the Youth Leadership Team as they plan and lead youth ministry activities. Originally from Lexington, South Carolina, James completed his undergraduate studies and deepened his spirituality at Clemson University. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 2003, James felt God’s call to ministry and enrolled at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. In 2006 he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree and was ordained and installed as Associate Pastor at First (Scots) Presbyterian, where he loves seeing the youth of the church living out their faith in Jesus Christ. In 2017, he earned a Doctor of Ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. In his free time James enjoys spending time with his wife, Kate, and their son, Barnes. If they aren't watching House Hunters on television or taking a walk, you might find James playing golf at the Muni or rocking out on the guitar.
Email James
Elizabeth Snyder
SUMMER YOUTH MINISTRY INTERN
Elizabeth is a rising senior at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee majoring in Christian Leadership and minoring in Communications. Elizabeth grew up at First (Scots) attending Sunday School, Kirk Club, multiple youth conferences, mission trips and was an active member of the youth group, serving as a member of the Youth Leadership Team. All of her experiences at First (Scots) laid the foundation for her pursuit of the Ministry as a life profession. Elizabeth’s life mission statement is to be a positive, dedicated, capable and caring Service Leader. The opportunity to serve others is her primary motivation. “Here I am, Lord” is her favorite hymn and her favorite word in the Bible is the Hebrew word “aman”, meaning to be firm, faithful and truthful. Elizabeth’s hobbies include distance running, tennis, spending time at the beach and enjoying outdoor activities, visiting unique coffee shops, and cooking. Elizabeth is honored and excited to serve as the First (Scots) Youth Ministry Intern this summer.
Email Elizabeth
Youth Advisors
Carrie Simpson works as a speech pathologist at Fort Dorchester Elementary School. She enjoys doing anything outdoors and spending time hanging out with her family and friends. She loves to eat—pretty much anything but especially chips and salsa/guacamole, Chick-fil-A, and peanut M&M’s. Her favorite thing about working with our youth group is getting to know everyone, exploring our faith, and learning about God by meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures through serving together in Charleston and around the world. Even though it will be a little different, she’s looking forward to another fun year!
Janet White grew up near Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Washington State University, GO COUGS! (and the University of Washington School of Medicine.) She practices pediatrics in Mt. Pleasant, where she lives with her husband John Sr. and kids (John Jr., William, and Susan). Janet is happy to live in South Carolina where the sun shines more than it rains!
She has been a member of First (Scots) since the 90’s. She was a youth advisor before she got married, and is thrilled to be back now that her kids are all active in the Youth Program. Her favorite part of youth ministry is the retreats. Janet enjoys walking, shopping, visiting family in Washington State, and hanging out with friends.
Ashley Nutley and her husband, Bob, moved to Charleston sixteen years ago, with their three now young adult children: Alex, Katie, and Jack. Ashley is a partner with the law firm of Moore & Van Allen and has been a member of First (Scots) for six years. She has enjoyed being a part of the Covenant Sunday School Class and Town & Country Koinonia, and currently serves on the World Missions Committee. She enjoys working with the youth group because it keeps her young(er) now that all her kids are away in college! Otherwise, when she is not at work, she spends her time reading or traveling.
Clarissa is excited for the opportunity to serve as a Middle School Youth Advisor again this year! She loves cooking, sports, and getting to know people. She met her husband, Greg, while at Clemson and they have been members of First Scots for more than 20 years. They have a daughter, Mattie, who is a Junior at Clemson studying Travel and Tourism. She grew up at First Scots and loved every minute of her time in our church’s youth program and still talks about all of the wonderful experiences our church offers to our youth. Her son Hewitt is in 7th grade and thus far, he has enjoyed his youth group experiences — even though things were interrupted/modified by the pandemic. He looks forward to participating in mission trips, youth conferences, and weekly youth activities and is eager for any opportunity to reconnect with his friends in youth group. They have a three year old Cavachon named Muffin who is adorable and sassy at the same time!
Hiral grew up in Anderson, SC, and moved to Charleston in 2015 for his undergraduate at College of Charleston. He is now at MUSC, obtaining a Master’s in Health Administration.
Hiral has been a member of First (Scots) since 2016. He is an active member of our church, serving as a deacon and usher. Hiral is looking forward to the middle school youth advisor role, and can’t wait to connect with our young friends. During his free time, Hiral enjoys to read, run, and connect with friends.
Hank Martin
Chris Bucknam
High School Sunday School has concluded for the school year. Be on the lookout for teachers Chantal Byrne or Kelsey Davis at select youth group events during the spring.
Middle School Sunday School is from 9:45-10:05 a.m. via Zoom. If you need the Zoom link or if you have any questions about this class, please contact: Steve Bailey, Jenks Bailey and Betsy Martin.
Worship is at 8:45 a.m. (Sanctuary) and 11:15 a.m. (Sanctuary and Live Stream)Confirmation at First (Scots) typically occurs during the youth’s eighth grade year. Older youth who have not joined the church as adults are encouraged to participate as well.
This program teaches the essentials of the faith and prepares each Confirmand to publicly profess faith in Jesus Christ and become an adult member of the church. This class is conducted by Dr. James Rogers and adult Confirmation Guides during the Sunday School hour from September through April. Service projects and retreats are also a part of the program. Classes are based on the Big God Big Questions: Confirmation for a Growing Faith curriculum by PC(USA), and the students have the opportunity to join the church on the first Sunday of May during the 11:15 a.m. worship service.
Confirmation Class and Event Schedule 2020-2021
From September until May the high school and middle school youth typically meet on Sunday nights from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. for fellowship, service, study, and worship. During the summer youth events are typically during the week. For upcoming event dates, times, and locations, please check out our Weekly Youth Ministry Update or the Youth Group Schedule April – May 2021.
Guidelines for Resuming In Person Youth Group ActivitiesWorship is from 5:30-6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary (53 Meeting Street) or via our Live Stream.
Church Supper is at 6:00 p.m.Youth Ministry Weekly Email Update
Youth Ministry Instagram
Youth Group Schedule April – May 2021
Guidelines for Resuming In Person Youth Group Activities
Youth Permission Form
Youth Trips Online Registration
