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!
Contact Gaye Lynn Loufef, Youth Director, at gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org 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
Our Weekly Schedule
Sunday Mornings
9:15AM to 10:15AM Junior High & Senior High Faith Formation
Sunday Evenings
6:00PM to 7:00PM Confirmation (7th and 8th grade)
Wednesday Evenings
7:00PM to 8:00PM G.Y.M. (Bible Study/Youth Fellowship)
March 27 - NO G.Y.M. Enjoy Spring Break
G.Y.M. will resume on Wednesday, April 3 at 7:00PM in Room 234 following Spring Break!
Upcoming Events
Register Now for the Youth Summer Mission Trips!
Registration is now open for our youth summer mission trips. Click here for more information, dates, and requirements. Learn about Hope @ Home, a homebound mission experience in our Chicagoland area for those in junior high-adult (rising 6th graders welcome) and/or Side x Side, a week long away trip for those who have completed 8th grade, plus high school and college students, and adults. Friends and neighbors are welcome too! Questions? Please contact Gaye Lynn Loufek at gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org.
April 28 - HOLY SMOKES! Youth Summer Mission Fundraiser
Join us for our annual HOLY SMOKES drive thru bar-b-q fundraiser featuring 5Bs catering who will be grilling on our premises on Sunday, April 28 from 11:30AM to 1:30PM in the lower parking lot of Grace UMC. Pre-ordered meals are preferred but there will be a minimal number of same day tickets available. Tickets may be purchased online from March 17 to April 21 at peopleofgrace.org/bbq. Meals include two pork chops, 1/2 chicken, or a hot dog, cole slaw, baked beans, applesauce, roll and butter. Meals are $16.00 for the two meat meals, or $8.00 for a hot dog. Questions may be directed to Gaye Lynn at gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org. Invite your friends and neighbors. All proceeds benefit Youth Summer Missions!
Holy Smokes Volunteer Needed
Holy Smokes Drive Through Bar-b-q Fundraiser is in need of volunteers on Sunday, April 28. Please click here and review the available slots. Thank you!
May 19 - Senior Celebration - Save the Date!
Calling ALL High School Graduating Seniors!
You are cordially invited to join us on Sunday, May 19 during the 10:30AM worship! We want to celebrate your accomplishments and send you into your next endeavors with a blessing! No matter your plans for fall: college, vocational school, the workforce, the military, or traveling abroad, we want you to know that Grace and God go with you!
All seniors are invited to wear caps and gowns (and cords) to worship, and friends and extended families are welcome to attend.
Please submit a graduation photo (or other appropriate photo--no larger than 5 x 7 in png. or jpeg format) to gracephotos@peopleofgrace.org no later than May 5. Please include your name, high school attended, and plans for the fall. (Photos will be used for the celebration and on the Grace website.)
RSVP at peopleofgrace.org/seniors by May 5 so we may plan accordingly. Questions may be directed to Gaye Lynn at gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org!
June 2 - Suds on Sunday Car Wash
Come to worship in a dirty vehicle, leave in a clean one--YOURS, Of Course!
Youth Summer Missions will be holding our annual car wash during worship services on Sunday, June 2 from 8:00AM to 12:00PM in the lower lot. So, drive your dirty vehicle to worship, park it in the lower lot, and we'll send you home in one that is sparkling clean (outsides only). Free will donations accepted and will benefit youth summer mission trips: Side x Side and Hope @ Home. **Please note, the lower lot will be closed for general parking that morning. Limited handicap accessible parking will be available.
Youth Summer Missions PHOTOGRAPHER NEEDED
Both Side x Side and Hope at Home are in need of a photographer to travel with us, capturing the testimonies through actions while we do God's work. Can't do both trips (Side x Side June 9-15, Hope @ Home July 10-11)? No worries! We are happy to have more than one person serve in this role! An opportunity for creating the Celebration Slide Show is available as well. Tuition scholarship available for your willingness to serve in this important role! Eager to learn more? Contact Gaye Lynn Loufek at gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org.
June 23 - Side x Side Slide Show
All are invited and welcome to join the Side x Side team in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, June 23 at 7:00PM for a reunion and viewing of a slideshow sharing memorable moments from our trip. Come see what we were up to and hear personal stories. Questions? Contact Gaye Lynn at gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org.
July 21 - Hope @ Home Slide Show
All are invited and welcome to join the Hope @ Home team in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, July 21 at 7:00PM for a reunion and viewing of a slideshow sharing memorable moments from our homebound mission experience. Come see what we were up to in "our own backyard" and hear personal stories. Questions? Contact Gaye Lynn at gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org.
Confirmation
Grace UMC is excited to offer our full Confirmation Program beginning in the fall of 2024. All 7th and 8th 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 at eric.blachford@peopleofgrace.org and Gaye Lynn Loufek at gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org.
