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 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
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 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.
Summer G.Y.M.
Summer Fun! Youth grades 6-12 (in fall 2025) are invited and encouraged to attend Summer G.Y.M. July 9, July 16, and July 23!
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July 9 - Mini Golf
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July 16 - Kickball
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July 23 - Summer Surprise Games
Please RSVP at peopleofgrace.org/summergym
Summer Sunday School Schedule
Summer is such a great time for recharging as a family: having quality time together, having opportunity to see God in new and countless ways, and experiencing worship together. We have provided summer Sunday school dates here, giving families the opportunity to plan special ways to grow in faith together.
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June 1 - ALL Youth are invited to help with the Suds on Sunday car wash during Sunday School
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June 8 - Family Worship
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June 15 - Sunday Funday—combined Sunday School with Children’s Ministry
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June 22 - Regular Sunday School
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June 29 - Regular Sunday School
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July 6 - Family Worship at Outdoor Worship
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July 13 - VBC Kick-off—Family Worship
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July 20 - Growing in Faith Together—Combined Sunday School with Children’s Ministry
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July 27 - Hope @ Home—No Sunday School
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August 17 - Sunday Funday—Combined Sunday School with Children’s Ministry
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August 17 - Backpack Blessing
August Sundays - In an effort to give our leaders a chance to attend the worship of their choice, have some time to rest and recharge, and allow staff and lay leaders to plan for fall, we encourage your family to worship together in August and enjoy the last days of summer. Sunday School will resume on Sunday, September 14.
All dates are subject to change. Please check back frequently for updates.
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.
