Welcome to Youth Ministry
at Church Street!

Youth Ministry at CSUMC loves, serves, and fosters the spiritual development of our youth, their families, their friends, our volunteers, and our community in order that they may grow as disciples of Jesus Christ in fellowship with one another.

Why Youth Ministry?

Choosing to be involved with Youth Ministry helps students pursue a life with Christ while building meaningful relationships with peers, older and younger youth, and our adult volunteers.

Through our educational ministries, weekend retreats, mission work, small group activities, and community building events, middle and high schoolers learn about the Gospel in a safe environment.  We have the distinct opportunity to work in tandem with worship on Sunday mornings, music ministries, and other events in the life of Church Street UMC. This encourages us to be a part of the body of Christ in action.

The students who are part of this program are truly remarkable, and we firmly believe there is a place for every student within these walls. We hope that you will prayerfully consider getting plugged in to our Youth Department!

Join Us!

There are many opportunities for our youth to connect with the Holy Spirit, with each other, with our church and within our community. Read below for more about how our youth connect throughout the year.

Education

NightLife is the cornerstone of CSUMC’s youth ministry. This weekly gathering consists of supper, fun & fellowship, worship, group study sessions, and small group discussions and study. NightLife creates a space for students to grow deeper in their faith through consistent fellowship and intentional study of God’s Word. 

Sunday School allows us to meet together as a whole group each week, using a specific curriculum rotation. Each group is lead by a team of volunteer teachers who work together to minister to our youth. Sunday School meets each Sunday morning between worship services. We begin with fellowship and a brief assembly time starting at 9:40.  We split up for classes from 10:00-10:40. Other than 6th graders, who are in Confirmation (see below), grade levels are paired for Sunday School: 7th & 8th grade, 9th – 12th grade. 

Confirmation class meets during the school year and prepares students for Confirmation in the United Methodist Church. This class teaches students about the history of our Christian heritage, as well as the specific beliefs of our denomination. Confirmation is an opportunity for students to begin claiming their faith as their own and is an important part of spiritual growth.

Youth Activities + Events

Throughout the year, Church Street offers a variety of activities and events just for our youth, including:

• Promotion Sunday: Back-to-School worship in which we prepare our minds and hearts for a new year of learning.
• Youth Lock-In: A time for overnight fellowship as the school year kicks off.
• Fall Festival Potluck: A beloved family afternoon for children ages 0-99!
• Spiritual Life Advance (SLA): Annual fall retreat for youth ministry. This retreat allows us to pause in the midst of our crazy lives to learn, reflect, pray, worship, and study together.
• Thanksgiving Baskets: Members of all ages are invited to join us in the gym to help pack food for our neighbors in need.
• Christmas and Easter Activities: Provided for children and youth throughout these most holy seasons.
• Resurrection (REZ): Annual event of worship and spiritual growth for youth and youth mentors. Each year over 12,000 people come together in Pigeon Forge, TN, to celebrate the God of The Resurrection.
• Confirmation Sunday: A Sunday where we take time to recognize our 6th graders, and welcome them as memebers for the church.
• Senior Sunday:  A Sunday in May where our high school seniors lead all aspects of worship, as well as a select few preaching to our congrigation.
• Operation Backyard: Each summer, the Church Street Youth work together in mission to support local families or projects that better their community. Hands-on building, repair work, and clean up build community and build up the community in which we live.
• Making a Difference (MAD) in the City: Annual local mission project held each summer with our missions partners. This week is a wonderful opportunity to be in fellowship with one another while serving The Lord together!