Youth Ministries
We exist to Show students Christ's love so they may Know Him and Grow as disciples.
Click on the links at left to find out more about our ministries for youth. Contact Nick Giannasi, Director of Youth Ministries, for more information.
You may also be interested in our children's ministries.
Community UMC is currently on our summer schedule. No Sunday School classes for children or adults are offered at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, nor Children's Chapel at 11:00 a.m. Sunday. Childcare for children 3 and under is available in the nursery during services.
SHYFt (Senior High Youth Fellowship Time)
All high school students are welcome to join us for SHYFt. SHYFt meets every Sunday except the 5th Sunday of the month, from 7:00-8:30 p.m., to have fun and meet new people. It's a great place to be if you just want to connect with other high school students.
- SHYFt Home Groups first Sunday of the Month
- SHYFt Coffee House, Second and Third Sunday of the Month
- SHYFt Outings fourth Sunday of the Month
- No SHYFt fifth Sunday of the Month
For those who want to go deeper, SHYFt SS (Sunday School) meets every Sunday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the youth room. At SHYFt SS we worship together, and talk about things that are relevant to your life and your relationship with Christ.
Contact Nick Giannasi, Director of Youth Ministries, for more information.
You may also be interested in our children's programs.
JHYF (Junior High Youth Fellowship)
JHYF is for Junior High students in 6-8 grade! Any Jr. High student is welcome to join us from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Sunday nights.
- JHYF first, second, and third Sundays of the Month in the youth room at CUMC
- JHYF Events fourth Sunday of the Month
- No JHYF fifth Sunday of the Month
Contact Nick Giannasi, Director of Youth Ministries, for more information.
Sunday School
Senior High Sunday School for those who want to go deeper in their Christian exploration meets every Sunday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the youth room. In these classes we worship together, and talk about things that are relevant to your life and your relationship with Christ. Contact Nick Giannasi, Director of Youth Ministries, for more information.
Junior High students meet Sundays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in room 301. Students grow in their faith and relationship with God and one another as they hear specific Scripture passages, discuss them, and then apply these passages to individual faith challenges. This class uses "Claim the Life," a comprehensive United Methodist curriculum for youth that helps youth in this age group grow in their spiritual formation, discipleship, Christian community, and faith knowledge. Contact Beth Elders, Minister of Christian Education, for more information.
Confirmation
Confirmation, an extensive program in which youth in 8th grade are offered the opportunity to grow in their faith in relationship with God and one another, is an essential component of the youth Christian Education ministries at Community UMC. During their weekly classes together, youth meet to understand the foundations of the Christian faith and The United Methodist Church (denomination as well as the local church) while also gaining a deeper understanding of their own relationship with God and their call to service in the world. Students are provided adult mentors to help guide them along their spiritual journey, assisting them in navigating the waters of faith formation. This class meets from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings (during the Sunday school hour) and at other times during the week, and utilizes "Claim the Name", the United Methodist Confirmation curricular resource, as well as other materials.
Contact Beth Elders, Minister of Christian Education, for more information.
IGNITE
IGNITE is a social and service group for fourth and fifth graders. Youth in IGNITE participate in worship as acolytes (main Sanctuary services) and as greeter/ushers (OnCenter contemporary service). We meet the second and third Sundays of each month, from 1:00-2:30 p.m.
- IGNITE Outings Second Sunday of the Month
- IGNITE lunch third Sunday of the Month
Rejoice Dancers
Who –
This caring ensemble consists of Youth and Adults and is led by Donna Pries.
What –
The Rejoice Dancers express their faith and worship through movement.
When –
Rejoice Dancers meet on Saturday mornings from 10:00-11:00AM in the main Sanctuary.
Where –
This ensemble dances in worship once a month in our main Sanctuary Services.
For more information on this ensemble, contact Stephen Edwards.
Tower Bells
Who –
This enthusiastic group of youth in sixth to twelfth grade,
led by Kevin Markwell, praise and worship through playing hand bells.
What –
Tower Bells plays exciting and meaningful music in a variety of styles
that speak to the heart of youth.
When –
Tower Bells rehearses Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Where –
Tower Bells plays in our main Sanctuary service once a month.
For more information on this ensemble, contact Stephen Edwards.
Youth Band (Not Yet Named!)
Who –
Led by Stephen Edwards and Cindy Lytle, this exciting, fun and high-energy
ensemble expresses their praise by singing and playing in a praise band.
Youth from sixth to twelfth grade are invited to be part of this new group!
What –
The youth band worships through styles of music that meet students
where they are on their faith journey.
When –
Sundays at 1:00 p.m. in the music room. The first rehearsal is September 27.
Where –
Youth Band leads in special music once a month in our 11:00AM main Sanctuary Service
and leads the OnCenter service 3-4 times a year.
For more information on this ensemble, contact Stephen Edwards or Cindy Lytle.
College Outreach
C3, the Community College Connection, maintains ties with local college students and Community UMC youth away at college. Persons interested in supporting this ministry should contact the office.
During the school year, C3 provides monthly lunches for students at local colleges, including nearby North Central College. These lunches are held on the third Sunday of each month after 11:00 worship, and include lots of home-cooked meals made by Community UMC members. Bring a friend!
C3 also keeps up the connection with Community UMC students away at college. Members are invited to "buddy" with a college student and send them regular letters or e-mails, birthday and Christmas cards, and the occasional care package, to let them know someone back home is thinking of them.