An Interview with Taylor Hartzel

Many parents and students out there might be feeling a bit overwhelmed at the boatload of possibilities here at Calvary to get involved. But what is the right fit? And how should someone, especially someone new, start getting involved? There may not be one sure-fire formula to it, but there are certainly people out there who can pass on great advice to help someone else feel welcomed.

Taylor Hartzel is an eighth-grader here at Calvary and attends Plumstead Christian School. Much of her time revolves around school and the Delaware Dance Academy, but she also has part of her schedule sectioned off for involvement at the church. Taylor loves helping out on Sunday mornings with skits, attending Sunday and Wednesday services regularly, and going on the youth group retreats. None of this would have been possible unless she got connected.

In one particular memory, Taylor explained how she started regularly attending Thrive, the Wednesday night youth group for junior high, through encouragement from her friends when she was in seventh grade.

“It wasn’t very hard to get connected,” she said. “Once I got involved, I found that it was very fun and it was also exciting to meet new people.” Taylor went on and explained how the leaders helped her get involved.

“The leaders stepped in and really helped me feel comfortable. Now, they sometimes come to me with new students so I can help them, too. Getting involved at Calvary through other people is almost inevitable. That’s what really helps you start actually getting and feeling connected.”

In retrospect, Taylor agrees that getting connected at Calvary was worth it. “Church is like my second home now. I have really close relationships with some of the leaders and have made lots of new friends. Being involved here is where God wants me to be.” Taylor also explained that by stepping out of her comfort zone and getting connected, it has made her feel more comfortable with herself and has made it a lot easier to reach out to other people.

For students who feel out-of-the-loop, Taylor passed on some words of wisdom by saying, “start trying to meet new people, because it’s good if you know someone, and try to start attending either Wednesday or Sunday nights to get involved.”

Getting connected at Calvary may seem daunting, especially to the new student, but people like Taylor Hartzel can tell them that it really isn’t. In fact, it just might be a great growing experience in a student’s life.

For more information about student ministries at Calvary Church, click here