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, via email 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 Summer Happenings
Summer is a time for reconnecting with family, nature, God, friends, and for finding joy in slower and less busy schedules. Grace Youth ministry offers an adapted schedule for summer to encourage that reconnection, for both our youth families and our leaders. We highly encourage families to worship together in the summer, perhaps visiting a worship service you don’t typically attend during the school year.
Youth Summer Faith Formation
Drop-in Sunday School is a less formal, non-scripted time for youth to hang out in the youth room. This is faith centered and life applicable conversation among our youth. Please check the calendar below for Drop-In Dates.
Youth Summer G.Y.M. (Grace Youth Ministry) on Wednesday Evenings
Summer G.Y.M. meets in a concise schedule to accommodate vacations, summer sports, VBC, and the Youth Summer Mission Trip(s). Please check the calendar for dates and visit the registration form at peopleofgrace.org/summergym.
Special Sundays and Ways to Serve
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Sunday Funday (Youth are teen helpers)
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Faith, Food, & Fun (Fun for the whole family)
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Growing in Faith Together (Invite your favorite grown-up to Sunday School with you)
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Vacation Bible Camp (All who have completed 5th grade to 12th grade may serve as teens and apprentices.)
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Backpack Blessing (during worship)
Youth School Year Happenings
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
G.Y.M. (Grace Youth Ministry) on Wednesday Evenings
From September to April, G.Y.M. is 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 during the school year in Room 234 at 6:00PM to 7:30PM
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Simple dinner provided at 6:00PM to 6:30PM
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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.
All-in-One Registration Form for Children, Youth, and Music
Register at peopleofgrace.org/register
Fall is upon us soon. Registration for the new school year is up and open. Please register your child/youth for all children and youth programming. This includes Sunday Fundays, KinderTot, Confirmation, Sunday mornings, and all of the music options for children and youth.
College Care Packages
With school just around the corner, many of our young adults will be heading off to college or entering the military, workforce, etc. We LOVE to stay in touch! Please visit peopleofgrace.org/carepackage to share your contact info for the fall. No matter your plans, we look forward to keeping in touch. Who knows, you just might find a surprise in your mailbox from time to time.
Grace Youth Ministry 2026 Calendar
All dates are subject to change. Please check back frequently for updates.
May
24 - Memorial Day Weekend - Family Worship
31 - Youth Summer Missions Car Wash - Sunday School Assists
June
7 & 14 - Side x Side trip (No SS)
21 - Sunday Funday at 9:15AM in Fellowship Hall)
24 - SUMMER G.Y.M. at 7:00PM Wilderness Falls Mini Golf
28 - Drop-in, Youth Room Open
28 - Side x Side Slide Show at 7:00PM
July
1 - SUMMER G.Y.M. 7:00 @ Grace
5 - Outdoor Worship at 10:00AM, Faith, Food, & Fun at 11:00AM, and we welcome Pastor Sophia
8 - SUMMER G.Y.M. ***6:30PM Teens/Apprentices VBC Prep
12 - Drop-in, Youth Room Open
13-17 - VBC (Teens/Apprentices serve)
15 - SUMMER G.Y.M. 7:00PM to 8:45PM at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora
19 - Growing in Faith Together (bring your favorite Grown-up to Sunday School)
August
16 - Sunday Fun Day at 9:15AM & Backpack Blessing at all services
September
13 - Kick-off for Fall
Confirmation
Grace UMC is excited to offer our full Confirmation Program Sunday, beginning in the fall of 2026. All 7th, 8th, and 9th grade youth are invited and encouraged to consider traveling the journey of Confirmation.
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 via email and Gaye Lynn Loufek via email.
