Ryan Bergh Thies of Scotch Plains is a lifelong FCC member and a 2021 graduate of Oratory Prep School in Summit. He has participated in FCC's Church School, Vacation Bible School, Children's Choir, annual Christmas Pageants, numerous Youth Fellowship activities and service projects, and achieved his Confirmation in 2018. As a Youth Fellowship leader, Ryan spearheaded efforts to assemble cleaning supply buckets and hygiene kits for distribution to those in need following Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Ryan was involved in a variety of other church activities, including the annual Advent Festival, Bridges Outreach Ministries to the homeless in Newark and New York City, Waysharers Outreach program for adults with developmental disabilities, and spring cleanup of the church grounds. He was also an active participant in multiple fundraising efforts for the church and its outreach programs, such as Tag Sales, the annual Cake Auction to support Heifer International, the spring Spaghetti Supper and Talent Show to support the annual Youth Fellowship Summer Mission Trip, “October Surprise” cabaret show and gift basket auction to support the church’s Pastor’s Fund, and “Souper Sunday” educational programming, where he helped to host the event.
Ryan served as the youth representative on the FCC Board of Outreach Ministries for two years and helped organize and maintain the church’s community food closet and the annual bottled water collection drive for Bridges Outreach. Further, he served as a lay reader during select worship services.