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
-
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.
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.
Taste of Side x Side
Have you ever thought about joining the Side x Side Youth Summer Mission trip? On Friday, November 14 (6:00PM to 8:30PM) and Saturday, November 15 (8:00AM to 7:00PM) all who are currently in 8th grade to adults are invited to join us for a "taste" of Side x Side. Come serve with us, be in fellowship with us, and worship with us in this mini version of Side x Side that will offer similar serving partners as those we encounter on our summer trip. Whether you are just curious, you are unsure if you can commit to a week in the summer, or you've traveled with us multiple times, please know we have a place for you in November. No experience necessary. All 8th graders through adults are welcome--friends & neighbors too!
Visit peopleofgrace.org/tasteofsidexside to register by October 19. A minimal fee of $25.00/person is required to help cover costs but scholarships are available. Questions may be directed to Gaye Lynn at gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org.
Grace Youth Go To FMSC!
All Grace Youth are invited to join us on Wednesday, November 19 at Feed My Starving Children from 7:15PM to 8:45PM. Please contact Gaye Lynn Loufek at gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org to reserve your spot! We will meet at FMSC at 555 Exchange Court, Aurora, IL 60504 at 7:00PM. There will be no regular G.Y.M. midweek youth group that week.
Holiday Late Night Celebration
All youth, 6th-12th grade (and adult volunteers) are invited to Youth Late Night on Friday, December 12. An evening of food, fellowship, and fun from 6:00PM to 10:30PM. Come dressed in layers, be sure to bring outdoor “gear,” and a wrapped white elephant gift. Please register at peopleofgrace.org/youthretreat so we may plan appropriately. Volunteers needed. Please contact Gaye Lynn for more information or to volunteer.
Save the Date - Galentine’s Tea with Lucille Ball
Benefits Youth Summer Missions
Friday, February 13, 2026 at 1:00PM to 2:30PM at Grace Church
Women of Grace, and friends and neighbors are invited to enjoy an afternoon of tea, treats, and Lucille Ball. Leslie Goddard, an historic story teller will share the life and laughter of Lucille Ball and offer a historical look into her amazing life. Tickets are required and will be available beginning January 1. All tickets are $30.00 each and there are 100 seats available. Tables of 8 reservations are available with each individual ticket remaining at $30.00/person. Each individual’s name must be listed on the registration. The menu for the tea is a set menu. We will make every effort to accommodate medically indicated dietary restrictions if we are made aware prior to the event. Tickets may be purchased with registration at peopleofgrace.org/galentines. Please contact Gaye Lynn Loufek at gayelynn.loufek@peopleofgrace.org with questions or for more information.
All dates are subject to change. Please check back frequently for updates.
Grace Youth Ministry 2025/2026 Calendar
November
2, 9, 16, 23 - Sunday School
16 - Growing in Faith Together
5 - G.Y.M.
12 - NO G.Y.M.
14 - Taste of Side x Side Retreat
19 - Feed My Starving Children at 7:00PM
26 - NO G.Y.M.
30 - Family Worship
December
3,10,17, 24, 31 - NO G.Y.M.
7,14 - Sunday School
12 - Youth Late Night
21 - Sunday Funday
28 - Family Worship
January
4 - Family Worship
11, 25 - Sunday School
14, 21 - G.Y.M.
18 - Sunday Funday
28 - Wacky Wednesday
February
1,8,15,22 - Sunday School
15 - Growing in Faith Together
4,11, 25 - G.Y.M.
8 - Soup-er Bowl of Caring
15 - Sunday Funday
18 - Ash Wednesday Experience
22 - Side x Side Kick-off
March
1,8,15,22 - Sunday School
15 - Sunday Funday
4,11,18 - G.Y.M.
25 - Holy Week Experience
29 - Family Worship
April
1 - NO G.Y.M. (Spring Break)
5 - Family Worship—Happy Easter!
8, 15, 22, 29 - G.Y.M.
19 - Sunday Funday
26 - Youth Summer Missions Fundraiser Sunday School Assists
May
3, 10, 17 - Sunday School
17 - Sunday Funday
6 - G.Y.M on Spring Break
24 - Family Worship
31 - Youth Summer Missions Car Wash - Sunday School Assists
June
6-14 - Side x Side Youth Summer Mission Trip
7 - Sunday School Summer Break
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.
