Welcome to Space for Grace!
All 6th-12th Graders are Welcome!
At Kent UMC Youth, we are a safe space where students learn to
love, grow, serve, and share.
Fun, games, and hands-on mission and service are the foundations of our weekly Youth Group for 6-12th grade youth.
Join us for lunch and youth group every Sunday after worship.
Upcoming Youth Activities
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May 5: Youth Group: Competition!
In a two-team minigame, there will be a series of tasks/challenges that you and your team will go through. Which team will win?
May 12: NO YOUTH GROUP (MOTHERS DAY)
No Youth Group due to Mother’s Day! Have a Great Sunday!
May 19: Youth Group: Relying on Each Other
We will be learning about relying on each other. By knowing what each person’s strengths or characteristics are. We will then play a game relating to that!
May 26: NO YOUTH GROUP
(DAY BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY)No Youth Group due to Memorial Day. Enjoy camping or just relaxing!
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Our choir directors, Brian and Stephanie, are putting together an intergenerational choir to share a ministry of music during worship on April 28. This is another awesome opportunity for entire families to serve together and for folks who can’t make a longer-term commitment to a choir to sing with others who love praising God through music! All that is required is the ability to read lyrics (words), a willingness to try something new, and the desire to praise God with the voice that you have been given. Children (pre-K and up) and youth have already learned a lot about the song, and it is very popular! Details about possible rehearsal times will follow, but first, a little about our song, Yesu Kwetu ni Rafiki, by Mark Burrows.
In 2009, composer Mark Burrows started a music academy for children in Kenya. After finding out that What a Friend We Have in Jesus was a popular hymn in Kenya, Mark decided to arrange a version using both English and Swahili. Western and African cultures unite in this piece and enhance each other greatly. As Mr. Mark says, “Every time you sing it, know that sixty smiling children in Kenya are singing with you.”
To get a little practice with the six Swahili words in the song (much easier than you might guess) and see how the two songs fit together, we ask adults to attend two rehearsals, if possible. There are several options, so hopefully, everyone can find a time that works for them. Adults may attend any of the following rehearsals. Please note that there has been one schedule change since the last newsletter, so double-check that your preferred date is still listed.
Please let Stephanie smmiller@kentmethodist.com know if you plan to participate so they can inform you of any unexpected changes to the schedule. Stephanie will be conducting the intergenerational choir this time around.
Copies of the song are available to borrow from Brian or Stephanie. The following link will take you to an audio preview of the song. Just click on the play symbol. Our rendition of the song will be a little less formal, but this is an excellent recording for learning and practicing: choristersguild.org/store/cga1234-yesu-kwetu-ni-rafiki-what-a-friend-1/3655/.
Arrival on April 28 will be at 9:15 in the music room.
Help our young people rejoice through this foundational hymn of our faith, and they’ll help you with the Swahili. Let us praise God together through song!
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July 15 - July 19:
Vacation Bible SchoolJuly 21 - July 26:
Youth Summer Slam
Youth Group – Every Sunday After Church
Our Youth Group is for youth grades 6-12. Join us for food, fun, faith, and fellowship. Lunch is served in the Youth Room right after worship. Youth Group continues until 12:45 PM, when we dive into Youth Music and the Arts with Stephanie McIlwain Miller. We play games, learn something from the Bible, make new friends, serve in the community, and do lock-ins and retreats. Bring your friends!
Regular Sunday Schedule
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Find Out More About How and Why Youth Participate in Worship
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Youth in grades 6 through 12 are welcome to participate in our youth group, where fun, games, hands-on mission, and service are the foundations of our weekly activities. Our normal Sunday schedule for youth looks like this:
11:00 am — Lunch in the Youth Room
11:30 am to 12:45 pm — Youth Group
Our schedule varies from time to time as we plan fun activities throughout the year. Updates are provided on our website and through regular communications with youth and their families. If you have questions about the youth group or its activities, contact the church office at general@kentmethodist.com or (253) 852-3900.
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Our youth arts program nurtures the Christian discipleship of youth by enabling them to share their gifts as leaders in worship. These gifts may include vocal and instrumental music, graphic arts, movement/dance, dramatic arts, etc. We are only limited by our imaginations.
Our arts teams gather immediately following youth fellowship (during which lunch is provided) on Sunday mornings, 12:45-1:30.
This program is led by Stephanie McIlwain Miller, Director of Children and Youth Music & Arts. Contact the church office at general@kentmethodist.com or (253) 852-3900 for more information.
Safety
As followers of Jesus, we must strive to be worthy of a very high standard of trust. We are committed to the physical and emotional safety and spiritual growth of all of our children, youth, vulnerable adults, and those who work with them. Our comprehensive Safe Sanctuaries Policy is available for your review on our church website at https://kentmethodist.com/safe.
Hiring Youth Leader Staff
Do you love Jesus and love youth? Do you like listening to, encouraging, supporting, challenging, and mentoring young people in their faith and everyday life? Contact the church office (253-852-3900 or general@kentmethodist.com) to learn more about the exciting new curriculum plan and activity map we’ve created.
Be a part of the movement to build the most life-changing youth group our church has ever had!
Parents:
Volunteer with Us
Please prayerfully consider whether you might be available to give your time and skills to help serve Kent UMC youth, and if you are interested, please get in touch. Pastor Jim is looking for at least two adult volunteers for every Space for Grace activity. Contact the church office at (253) 852-3900 or general@kentmethodist.com.
Want to learn more about Space for Grace?
Please reach out to Pastor Jim by contacting the church office.
Don’t forget to fill out a Youth Consent form for each youth! (See below.)
Mini-golf with Pastor Jim, 2023