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.
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
Erin Kelly is a native South Carolinian who grew up in Spartanburg, SC. She attended the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga, and moved back to the Low Country in 2019 from Brooklyn, NY after accepting a Graphic Design position with a consulting firm.
Erin spent her first year in Charleston deepening her faith by becoming a member of First (Scots) and serving as a Mentor for the worshiping community “Journey” at the College of Charleston. In her free time, she loves to run, play with her golden retriever Buddy, is a co-leader of a Daisy Girl Scout Troop, and is currently trying every type of Oreo Cookie released (she is currently up to 49).
She can not wait to meet all of the students as she begins her role as a High School Youth Advisor this Fall!
Haylea Shuman is from Moncks Corner, SC and is studying Music Performance on Cello and Business Administration at the College of Charleston. She typically spends her free time with close friends and family. She is super excited to work with the Middle School Youth because she didn’t have a youth group growing up. Her favorite hymns are: “Softly and Tenderly”, “I’ll Fly Away”, “Song of the Wanderer”, and “Forsaken”.
Worship is at 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary (53 Meeting Street).
Kirk Café is from 9:30-10am in the Kirk House Courtyard (behind 62 King Street).
Sunday School is from 10:00-11:00 a.m. in the Kirk House (62 King Street).
Confirmation is an eight-month process that prepares youth to publicly profess faith in Jesus Christ and become adult members of the church. Confirmation typically occurs during the eighth-grade year, however older students who have not completed the program are able to participate as well. This class is conducted by Dr. James Rogers and Confirmation Class Assistant Leaders 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 2021-2022
From September until May the high school and middle school youth typically meet on Sunday nights from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. for fellowship, service, congregational care, 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 High School Youth Group Schedule 2021-2022 or the Middle School Youth Group Schedule 2021-2022.
Kirk Club for high school and middle school youth meets from 5-6pm in the Kirk House Courtyard (rain location: Kirk House, 62 King Street), before attending the Church Family Dinner at 6pm. (RSVP for dinner by noon on Monday to Susan Cocallas). To register for Kirk Club, please complete the Kirk Club Registration Form. If you have any questions, please contact: Ian Giancursio, Youth Ministry Coordinator.
Youth Ministry Weekly Email Update
Youth Ministry Instagram
High School Youth Group Schedule 2021-2022
Middle School Youth Group Schedule 2021-2022
Youth Permission Form
Youth Trips Online Registration