Every February, the Community Church of Greenwood hosts its annual “One Winter Weekend.” This weekend is a lock in for middle school and high school students including activities, worship, games, and much more.
Just 10 minutes away from GHS, the Community Church of Greenwood attracts many GHS students every year. For $95, students get the chance to stay in the church for the weekend with hundreds of other high school students to have fun while also learning more about faith.
“My favorite part of One Winter Weekend is spending time with my friends in the church. All the guys in my grade share a big room, and we stay up late and play games and have fun. It gives me a chance to get closer to them,” junior Quintin Cain said.
Other students enjoy the time they get to deepen their relationship with God.
“For me, the best part of One Winter Weekend is the worship. I feel like it’s a time when everyone feels like they belong, and it’s a time we can connect to God on a deeper level,” sophomore Ellie Hockersmith said.
The weekend also includes taking students outside of the church for various activities.
“During the weekend, we go out to eat in our small groups which are separated by gender and grade. After that, we go do another activity that changes each year. Last year, one of our activities was duckpin bowling downtown, which was really fun,” sophomore Kara Ennis said.
The activities keep the students excited about what each year will hold.
“Last year, we went downtown to The Garage and ate lunch together and hung out there for a while. Later that night, the whole church rented out a roller skating rink, and we stayed there late into the night, which was pretty cool. Two years ago, the church rented a go-karting place, and I raced all of my friends, which was super fun and probably my favorite activity we’ve done,” Cain said.
Even through all the fun games and activities, the main reason the students attend is to get closer to each other and God.
“One Winter Weekend always strengthens my faith. The messages we hear and the songs we sing are great reminders of who Jesus is and who He says I am,” Ennis said.
Other students agree with the importance.
“One Winter Weekend always has a big impact on me. It’s a safe place where I know I can open up and get closer to God. I know I won’t get judged for what I believe. Sometimes, it can be hard to be consistent in my faith, but One Winter Weekend reminds me that we grow every day and no one is perfect. It reminds me that God loves us no matter what and he will always be waiting for you,” Hockersmith said.
