Youth
Youth
Learning and growing in relationship with God is a lifelong process.
Being in ministry with and for youth is central to who we are at GUC. Young people are spiritual — as much as they are physical, emotional, and intellectual. They have questions and needs that a faith community can help with.
We believe that central to our children’s spiritual and religious development is their experience of belonging — as they are now, not for who they might become — and to know they are a treasured part of this church. All of our programs are welcoming, fun, safe, and open.
We have programs for:
Infant - Kindergarten - We meet during worship
First - Fourth Grade - We meet on Sunday mornings during worship
5-6th Grade (PREPARE)
Jr High and Sr High School (PITCH)
Confirmation (TREK)
Youth Programs
PREPARE (Grades 5-7), TREK (Confirmation) PITCH (Jr High and Sr High)
Youth Programs
PREPARE (Grades 5-7), TREK (Confirmation) PITCH (Jr High and Sr High)
GUC Family Ice Skating & Broomball
Saturday, January 13th, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Weinberg Family Recreation Center
$5 skate rental, $5 rink fee donation
5:30pm-6:30pm: All Ages!
6:30pm-7:30pm: 5th Grade and up
PREPARE: Grades 5-7
Fifth through seventh grade is an exciting time as students transition from childhood to adolescence and begin to think more abstractly. This translates to the way they think about and engage their faith. Therefore the focus in grades 5, 6, and 7 is where students see themselves in God’s story.
This practice PREPARES students for their life journey, as it gives them the tools and experience to always be watching for and asking, “What is God up to in my life?” Just as a hiking trip requires careful and purposeful packing and preparation, so does our faith. We think this type of preparation is best done by engaging the whole self – body, mind and spirit – so expect this time together to be interactive and dynamic.
Monthly Gatherings: 5th through 7th grade students will meet on the first and third Sunday of the month from 4 – 5:30 pm for fellowship, games/activities, community building, and creative conversation.
PITCH: (Jr and Sr High)
Junior and Senior High Youth Group is a safe place where students can PITCH their tent and experience a sense of belonging as they continue to explore and find out who God has made them to be. Our conversations will focus on identity – who God has made us and called us to be – as well as how our Christian faith informs and shapes our lives.
Monthly Gatherings: 8th through 12th grade students will meet on the second and fourth Sunday of the month from 5 – 6:30 pm for fellowship, games/activities, community building, and relevant and engaging conversation.
Confirmation
TREK: Confirmation
Confirmation
TREK: Confirmation
TREK: Confirmation (Grades 7-8)
Do you know the difference between a hike and a trek? A hike is a long energetic walk that follows a trail in a natural environment and is usually a day or an overnight. A trek however, is a vigorous walk for several days or weeks that utilizes trails, paths, dirt roads, or no trail at all.
Confirmation is a year-long TREK where together, we explore our Christian faith and begin to articulate what we believe and what that means for our lives. Our markers along the trail are Scripture, mentors, church history and tradition and one another. However, as with any trek, our journey will take us off-trail as we invite each confirmand to ask questions and reflect on their personal faith. Confirmation is just the beginning and gives students the tools to continue a lifelong trek of Christian faith.
Confirmation consist of three required elements, culminating in a wilderness trek in the summer.
Monthly Gatherings: Confirmation meet once a month after worship, from 11:00 – 1:30 pm.
Monthly Mentor Meetings: Each student will be matched with a mentor from GUC; an adult who can share their own faith experience, help process through questions and be a companion on the trek.
Worship: Worship centers us and reminds us who we are as God’s children, and also connects us to the larger church body. Students should plan to attend worship 10 times during the confirmation process. This may be in person or online.
To provide the most meaningful experience for our youth, TREK will resume with the 2024-25 program year. With questions, or for more information, contact Rev. Ken Crews our Associate Minister, ken@glencoeunionchurch.org.