youth ministries
Grace Youth Ministry (G.Y.M)
God-Centered, Youth Oriented, Mission-Focused
At Grace UMC, we don't just consider our youth a part of the church of the future, we believe they are the church NOW. All youth, grades 6th-12th are welcome at Grace Youth Ministry (G.Y.M.) to explore what it means to be a follower of Christ. Through study, mission opportunities, serving opportunities, and fellowship gatherings, youth are introduced to a deeper meaning of a Christ-centered life and how a life of faith brings the promise of hope, help, and unconditional love for a lifetime. Friends and neighbors are welcome at all G.Y.M. events!
Please contact Gaye Lynn Loufek, Youth Ministries Director, at gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org or 630-355-1748, ext. 3234 with questions or for more information.
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Youth Faith Formation
Faith Formation on Sunday Mornings
Grace Youth Ministry (G.Y.M.) is a place where non-religious and nominally religious pre-teens and teens can come to explore what it means to live a life as a follower of Jesus Christ and have the opportunity to choose to grow and live out their faith. Everyone belongs and is welcome!
Sundays at 9:15AM to 10:15AM for Junior High (6th-8th) & Senior High (9th-12th) in Room 234
Please note: there is no class on 3/30/25, 4/6/25, and 4/20/25 for Family Worship Days.
G.Y.M. (Grace Youth Ministry) on Wednesday Evenings
A time for youth 6th-12th grades to explore what it means to be a follower of Christ. Through study, mission opportunities, serving opportunities, and fellowship gatherings, youth are introduced to a deeper meaning of a Christ-centered life and how a life of faith brings the promise of hope, help, and unconditional love for a lifetime. Friends and neighbors are welcome at all G.Y.M. events!
Midweek Recharge on Wednesday evenings in Room 234 at 6:00PM to 7:30PM
-
Simple dinner provided at 6:00PM to 6:30PM
-
Life Application Devotion, Fun/Silly Games, Fellowship at 6:30PM to 7:30PM
Wacky Wednesday
Food, Fun, Fellowship—great time to invite friends! Stay tuned for upcoming events!
Off-Campus Activities
Occasional off-campus activities occur. Parents are notified in advance.
Confirmation on Sunday Evenings
Confirmation is our response to baptism. In baptism, we recognize and celebrate God’s gifts of grace, forgiveness, and love as we are welcomed into Christ’s universal Church. During Confirmation we respond to God’s gifts, learning more about God, Jesus, the Spirit, the Bible, and the Church but also exploring how to follow Jesus and how to actually be the church as God intends.
Sunday evenings at 6:00PM to 7:00PM in Room 234 for all youth in 7th, 8th, and 9th grades.
Includes Study, Field Trips, Fellowship, Retreat.
Confirmation Sunday will be on Sunday, February 22, 2025.
-
Please note: there is no class on 1/5/25, 1/19/25, 2/9/25, 3/2/25.
G.Y.M. (Grace Youth Ministry) Upcoming Calendar
January 12 - Confirmation Resumes 6:00PM to 7:00PM in Room 234
January 15 - G.Y.M. Resumes 6:00PM to 7:30PM in Room 234, beginning with dinner
January 24 - Confirmation Field Trip to Congregation Beth Shalom
February 7 - Youth Summer Missions Fundraiser: Galentine's Tea
February 9 - Soup-er Bowl of Caring (wear your jersey, t-shirt, sweatshirt_
February 9 - NO Confirmation
February 15 - Confirmation Weekend of Decision Day Retreat
February 16 - Confirmation Rehearsal & Class
February 23 - Family Worship (Confirmation Sunday)
March 2 - Side x Side Kick-off 12:00PM
March 5 - Ash Wednesday Experience 5:00PM (NO G.Y.M.)
April 2 - No G.Y.M. - Spring Break
April 27 - Holy Smokes
All dates are subject to change. Please check back frequently for updates.
Upcoming Events
Calling ALL College Aged Students
We want to keep in touch while you are away at school, attending school locally, or entering the military or workforce. Even if we had your address last year, we want to make sure our mailing list is updated.
You never know when a package or fun piece of mail might arrive! Please visit peopleofgrace.org/college to update your information.
Galentines Tea with Jane Austen To Benefit Youth Summer Missions
Register at peopleofgrace.org/galentines
Friday, February 7, 2025 at 1:00PM to 2:30PM
Women of Grace, friends, and neighbors are invited to enjoy an afternoon of tea, treats, and a step back in time to 1815 with a visit with Jane Austen as portrayed by Debra Ann Miller. Tickets are required and will be available beginning December 1. All tickets are $30.00 each and space is limited to 100 seats. Tickets may be purchased with registration at peopleofgrace.org/galentines. Please contact Gaye Lynn Loufek gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org with questions or for more information.
Soup-er Bowl of Caring
Help Grace Youth tackle hunger on Sunday, February 9! Please join us and show your support by wearing your favorite team jersey, sweatshirt, homemade t-shirt--any sport, any team--to worship. A special offering will be taken following each worship service and donated to one of our local mission partners. Questions may be directed to Gaye Lynn Loufek at gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org.
Growing in Faith Together: Lent
Register at peopleofgrace.org/gift
Sunday, February 16 at 9:15AM to 10:15AM
The best way to grow in faith is together with family. It is truly a G.I.F.T. Growing in Faith Together (GIFT) days are opportunities for parents and grandparents to come to the children and youth Sunday morning Faith Formation hour where we will all learn and grow in faith together. Come learn and have fun together as we learn about LENT and how to prepare for Easter through the Lenten Season.
Confirmation
Grace UMC is excited to offer our full Confirmation Program Sunday evenings at 6:00PM in Room 234. All 7th, 8th, and 9th grade youth are invited and encouraged to consider traveling the journey of Confirmation.
Sunday evenings at 6:00PM to 7:00PM in Room 234 for all youth in 7th, 8th, and 9th grades.
Includes Study, Field Trips, Fellowship, Retreat.
Confirmation Sunday will be on Sunday, February 22, 2025.
-
Please note: there is no class on 1/5/25, 1/19/25, 2/9/25, 3/2/25.
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is our response to baptism. In baptism, we recognize and celebrate God’s gifts of grace, forgiveness, and love as we are welcomed into Christ’s universal Church. During Confirmation we respond to God’s gifts, learning more about God, Jesus, the Spirit, the Bible, and the Church but also exploring how to follow Jesus and how to actually be the church as God intends.
The Confirmation Program at Grace UMC provides our youth with an opportunity to build new relationships within the church, engage in mission opportunities, study the scriptures, and explore their beliefs and doubts. Confirmation is not the end of our faith journey but just the beginning; confirmands will be introduced to resources within the church and beyond that will assist them in the lifelong journey of discipleship.
Questions may be directed to Pastor Eric at eric.blachford@peopleofgrace.org and Gaye Lynn Loufek at gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org.
