UPC Youth Ministry

UPC Youth Ministry serves our 6th-12th grade students. The focus of Youth Ministry at UPC is to create an affirming and accepting environment where youth can be their authentic selves and grow in relationship with God and each other. We are inclusive to all youth and empower them to be who God created them to be. We encourage students to ask questions and take ownership of their faith journey while walking alongside their peers.

Rather than live as individual disciples following Jesus alone, we believe in living as a community:

  • In order to live as a community, we have to know each other and;
  • In order to know each other, we have to lean into vulnerability, listening to each other’s experiences, learning from each other, serving our community together, worshipping together, and creating environments where students recognize they are loved and known exactly the way God created them.

Weekly Youth Group

Currently, UPC Youth Ministry meets every week on Zoom and once a month in-person at UPC. We meet at 5:00pm and talk about life, play some games, and discuss scripture that is relevant to what is going on in our world and lives today. Join us on Zoom here and check out our calendar here for updates on event times and locations! As we begin to reimagine meeting together again in-person, UPC will keep families updated.

Upcoming Plans

This summer, Mo-Ranch is offering conferences for middle and high schoolers. Middle schoolers can attend Jr. High Jubilee, a fun and interactive weekend of worship and activities at Mo Ranch, while high schoolers can attend Mo-TLC, the Teen Leadership Conference where students will learn leadership skills while making friends, worshipping, and participating in activities. Jr. High Jubilee is 7/4-7/8 and Mo-TLC is 6/13-6/18. Hannah will be present at both conferences and is happy to discuss payment options and plans with anyone who is interested.

For more information about Jr. High Jubilee, click here.

For more information about Mo-TLC, click here.

Confirmation

We will begin a Confirmation class this year with a goal to have Confirmation Sunday in Spring 2022. Confirmation will be for students who will be in 8th grade or above in Fall 2021. The program will include opportunities to learn about who we are as a PCUSA church, who are are as UPC, how the church functions, and the importance of community in our congregation across generations. If you are interested in your child participating, please fill out this form and Hannah will be in contact with you about details.

Throughout the year

UPC Youth Ministry is committed to serving our city, engaging with other congregations as well as interfaith communities, and attending events organized by Mission Presbytery. This includes working with our Mission Outreach & Justice Committee and organizations like the Interfaith Welcome Coalition and House of Neighborly Service. We also attend Midwinters, whether they be virtual or in-person, and encourage our students to attend youth group weekly. As UPC begins to think about how we will worship together again, UPC Youth Ministry will adjust and stay committed to serving our students the best way we can.

Contact Hannah Cooley (hcooley@upcsa.org) for more information.