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 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
-
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.
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.
Youth Praise Team
Let’s Praise and Shout—musically—together! All who are in 6th-12th grades and love to play instrumental music or sing are invited to come check out our NEW Youth Praise Team. No need to be (or feel like) an accomplished musician vocally or instrumentally, all are welcome. Our FIRST rehearsal will be Sunday, September 13 from 10:30AM to 11:45AM in Room 234. Don’t forget to bring your instrument!
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 2026-2027 Calendar
All dates are subject to change. Please check back frequently for updates.
September 2026
13 - Children/Youth Orientation
13 - All Church Event
20 - Sunday School Resumes
20 - Sunday Funday
27 - Sunday School
October 2026
4 - Sunday School
8 - G.Y.M. Resumes
11 - Sunday School
15 - G.Y.M.
16,17 - Together We Serve: Hope @ Home/Side x Side
18 - Sunday School, Sunday Funday
18 - CROP Walk
21 - Harvest Home—NO G.Y.M.
25 - Sunday School
28 - Trunk-or-Treat
November 2026
1 - Sunday School
4 - G.Y.M.
8 - Sunday School
11- G.Y.M.
15 - Sunday School, Sunday Funday
18 - G.Y.M.
22 - Family Worship
25 - Thanksgiving Week—NO G.Y.M.
29 - Family Worship
December 2026
6 - Sunday School
13 - Sunday School
20 - Sunday Funday
27 - Family Worship (One Service)
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 - G.Y.M. is on Winter Break during December
January 2027
3 -Family Worship
10 - Sunday School
13 - G.Y.M.
17 - Sunday Funday
20 - G.Y.M.
24 - Sunday School
27 - G.Y.M.
31 - Sunday School
February 2027
3 - G.Y.M.
7 - Sunday School, Soup-er Bowl of Caring
10 - Ash Wednesday Experience, NO G.Y.M.
14 - Sunday School
17 - G.Y.M.
21 - Sunday Funday
21 - Side x Side Kick-off ,12:00PM Room 234
24 - G.Y.M.
28 - Sunday School
March 2027
3 - G.Y.M.
7 - Sunday School
10 - G.Y.M.
14 - Sunday School
17 - G.Y.M.
21 - Family Worship, Palm Sunday
24 - Holy Week Experience (Tentative)
28 - Family Worship, Easter
April 2027
4 - Sunday School
7 - G.Y.M.
11 - Sunday School
14 -- G.Y.M.
18 - Sunday Funday
21 - G.Y.M.
25 - Confirmation Sunday, Sunday School
28 - G.Y.M.
May 2027
2 - Sunday School
9 - Mother’s Day, Family Worship
16 - Sunday School
23 - Sunday School
5, 12, 19, 26 - G.Y.M. is on Spring Break during May
June 2027
5-12 or 12-19 - Side x Side Youth Summer Mission Trip
6 - Sunday School goes on Summer Break
20 - Sunday Funday
20 or 27 - Slide Show
July 2027
18 - Sunday Funday
12-16 - Vacation Bible Camp
Confirmation
Confirmation Begins in October
Confirmation is a time for youth in 7th, 8th, and 9th grade to reflect on and learn more about what it means to claim the name Christian. Beginning in October, all youth who are currently in 7th, 8th, or 9th grade (who haven’t completed the Confirmation class) are invited to join Pastor Sophia Carno and explore the United Methodist tradition and what it means to be a Christian, preparing to be baptized or to confirm their baptism.
Class will meet on Sunday morning from 9:15AM to 10:15AM and will begin on Sunday, October 18. Confirmation Sunday will be April 25, 2027 at 10:30AM, and will be a time of celebration and welcoming of our newest members, the Confirmation Class of 2027! Click here to register.
Questions may be directed to Pastor Sophia Carno via email or Gaye Lynn Loufek via email.
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.
