As I wear two hats in caring for both youth and adult ministry, I apologize for not being as thorough in my communication about youth-related details. Thank you for your patience and I will keep working on finding the right balance in order to give both ministry the attention they deserve. As we approach the end of the school year and the start of summer there are several more youth ministry-related events. I hope that you can join us for them and continue to be a part of our youth community here at First Church. Looking forward to our time together!

-Lisa

Text Communications

Remind no longer works for us, and so we are using a new texting service: Clearstream.

Things that are the same:

I will be able to create distribution lists and send out group texts.
I will use messages to send up-to-date information and reminders.
Replies will come only to me and not to the whole group.

Things that are different:

There is no app.
This works like a marketing text where you opt in and then will receive my texts directly to your phone number as an sms text.
You can not opt to use an email instead of a phone number.

You can still always text or call me directly at my number, 716-510-8948 (and I would encourage you to do so for quicker responses).

To be added to the Youth Ministry text group, please text "fumyouthmin" to 717-722-4800 and opt in to receive texts.

For our 4th and 5th-grade students who participate in the Student Small Group portion of the ministry, there is a separate text group that will only receive messages relevant to your involvement. You are welcome to join the other group, but you will receive more messages than related to your specific involvement. To join the Student Small Group text group, text "2ndSunday" to 717-722-4800 and opt in to receive texts.

What's Happening Sunday?

THIS SUNDAY: Join us at 3:00 PM for Oliver Paris' French horn concert (recent youth grad studying at Messiah University). If you can come by 2:40, we will serve as greeters to help welcome others to the concert. There will be light refreshments afterwards if we have any additional time, we will work on a service project in the youth lounge. Plan for pickup to be at 5:00 P.M.

Sunday Evenings follow* a weekly format:

4G YOUTH GROUPS I 6:00-8:00 I 6th-12th Grade

1st Sunday

Large group Gathering (6th-12th grade) starts in the youth lounge or gym and begins with a casual time to hang out, play games, and eat snacks. Afterwards, we dig into God's word and listen to a lesson. Our time of learning is a space to ask questions, have discussions, and aid in spiritual growth.

3rd Sunday “And Dinner” -- 3rd Sunday of the month we will begin our youth group time with a meal.

STUDENT SMALL GROUPS I 6:00-7:30

2nd Sundays

A chance for small group interaction with Students of similar ages. This space is intended to allow for conversation, questions, and age-appropriate faith topics. Grades 4th - Grade 7th** -- Meets at First Church in the gym. Grades 8th-12th -- Meets in the Youth Lounge at First Church
**This is the one calendar event that is open to students younger than 6th grade

SERVICE PROJECTS I times varies

4th Sundays

We will provide a service- related activity to participate in on the 4th Sunday of the month. This might be an in-house service project or a service opportunity off-site.

SPECIAL EVENTS/SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES - See Calendar for dates and times and read below for event information. *Special events may alter the pattern of Sundays

What is the 4G mean? It is our statement of purpose for the youth ministry. While we want Youth Group to be a fun place where you can spend time with your friends, we want to make sure that we GATHER together to GROW as we GAIN from God's Word and learn to GIVE back to God in how we live and treat others. (It also is handy to have a 2-letter way of referencing Youth Group for when a text message only allows a certain number of characters.)

Upcoming Events:

March 22 - Oliver Paris Concert | 2:40 - 5:00

Future dates to consider:

Summer Mission Trip - while not yet planned, it is usually scheduled near the start of July.

Sunday School I 9:45am - 10:45am

While we don't have a formal Youth Sunday school offering, the youth lounge is meant to be your space. If you're looking for a space to have a conversation with a friend, need a quiet space to read your Bible, or are on the hunt for a SunnyD and a Pop-Tart, then the youth lounge is where you can be. While we do not have adult leaders running this time, we do have some that will pop in from time to time in case there is a need.

“Come have breakfast” - Jesus (John 21:12)

Even Jesus saw the value of connecting casually with his disciples. He called them to the shore not necessarily for a structured lesson, but for a yummy meal. The breakfast on the seashore provided space for Jesus to connect with his disciples and encourage them for the mission that lay ahead.

Upcoming:

Flannel and Flapjacks | November 2 | 6:30-8:00 PM

Where your fall flannel and come get pancakes! We will have a fall-style youth evening. We will be starting 1/2 hour later to accommodate coming from the Rise Against Hunger event.

Rise Against Hunger | November 2

Join us in packing meals for Rise Against Hunger.

When: Nov 2, 2025 | 4-6 pm

(before Church Conferences)

Where: Shepherdstown UMC

If you are signed up to participate and need a ride, please let me know. Also --- any youth and families willing to stay a little longer, your help with clean up would be appreciated.

Growing Together | November 16
When: Sunday November 16
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30PM

Where: Hardwood Café (round tables in green chair side of sanctuary)

Paul writes to the Philippians that he is truly happy when believers are "agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose" (Phil 2:2). We too, value learning and serving together with one heart and one mission. Several times throughout the year, we will have a Growing Together opportunity following the 11:00 AM service. Stick around after service at the round tables in the green chair side of the sanctuary. We will provide lunch and a learning/service activity for any and all ages. Registration is encouraged to help us plan for food and accommodate any dietary restrictions. Reach out to Katie Knorr with questions.

Future Dates: November 16, January 4, March 15, April 19

(Background: we previously offered this during the Sunday school hour but found that the lunch time after 11:00 service is a better option for many).

Let us know if you are coming

Youth Worship

Interested in participating in the youth worship team? If you play an instrument, like to make slides, run sound, or sing, we'd love to help plug you in. Reach out to Allison Ometz to be added to the worship team's text communications. The team prepares for leading at special events, Sunday mornings, and during some youth events.

Church Center - App

We have an awesome organizational and connectional app for our church! With this app you will be able to register for events, pay, and see what you are and are not registered for! It will also be the platform for our church directory (also accessible in paper form and on a desktop).

Have you...

...Downloaded the app?

...Update your profile?

(make sure you aren’t creating a new one — many of you already have profiles attached to your families profile)

...Requested acess to the electronic directory (email the office)

...Registered for upcoming events.

Event Photos

Parents/Adults

Mom Connection

This group connects moms of children (newborns through high school age) with other moms who are seeking friendship, support and encouragement along the parenting journey. The group meets monthly September through May. Meetings begin with dinner followed by a theme-based topic designed to help develop connections and offer support (spiritual, emotional, practical), inspiration, and resources for Christ-centered parenting. Contact Katie Knorr (kidscount@fumchurch.com) with questions.

Local Ministries

Salt n' Light Youth Ministry

Stay connected to Salt 'n Light - a local ministry that offers great events (some of which we participate in together and others which you can do on your own). Follow them on social media and check out their website for more informations.

Visit Salt 'n Light's Website

Zoe Mazi

There is a great community available to those who are beyond high school and wish to have a group of peers to grow together in faith. Look no further than Zoe Mazi! This local group meets on Mondays and allows you a chance to be in community with other young adults from local community churches.

Visit Zoe Mazi's Website

Lost and Found

No unclaimed items....yay!

Email Lisa to claim your item

CONFIRMATION

What is confirmations?

"United Methodists use the term "confirmation" to mark the first time a baptized Christian publicly "confirms" their intention to live the vows of the baptismal and membership covenant and so becomes a professing member of the local congregation and The United Methodist Church."

What does that mean?

It means that when you were baptized someone made vows on your behalf to raise you in the Christian faith. To be confirmed is to acknowledge on your own behalf, and in the presence of others, that you desire to live according to those vows, to profess your faith in Jesus, and desire membership into a community of faith. It's your chance to say "yes" to the faith that you were baptized into.

What if I wasn't baptized?

If you aren't yet baptized both a baptism and confirmation can happen at the same time since you don't need someone to make the vows for you.

I was baptized when I was an older kid:

If you were baptized at an age or in a church where you made a personal proclamation of faith, then that was a baptism and confirmation wrapped up as one (that may be why some of your friends from other Christian churches don't even have a confirmation process). But even still, you could join us in the process of confirmation as a means of becoming a member of the First Church community.

I was confirmed but honestly, it didn't make sense then:

Baptisms and confirmations only need to occur once BUT there are times in our lives when we wish to re-affirm our faith and the commitment we have made.

If you are a student (6th-12th) who has not been confirmed, wishes to become an official member of First Church, or is at a place of making a recommitment of your faith, let Lisa know!

Worship anytime, all the time!

Check out First Church's playlist on Spotify. Sarah, our worship director, is always adding new music and she is great at finding worshipful songs to carry us through the week until we can worship together on Sunday morning.

First Church's Spotify Playlist

Save the Dates

Future Events: