Youth

First UMC believes that the church is open and welcome to persons of all ages.  To help young people learn about United Methodist Christian understandings of faith and create holy relationships between them, their mentors, and Christ Jesus, we offer Confirmation Classes when needed. 

Our next confirmation class will be Fall of 2023.

Young people in 6th – 12th grade gather on Sunday Night  for fellowship and games as part of the “First Youts” youth group.  A team of adult leaders model Christian mentorship (though we learn as much from the Youts as they do from us) throughout the activities.

On a typical Sunday night, our Youts start at 5:30pm when we pull together the long tables in Fellowship Hall and share a meal and our “highs and lows” of the week.  This is followed by games and activities like Human Battleship, Sardines, or Giant Jenga.  A giant jar of questions sometimes makes an appearance giving us a chance to debate very important ( or very silly) topics.  Every Yout gathering ends with a prayer huddle.

Youts serve at FUMC in worship and community projects.  Once a year we plan and lead a Sunday morning worship service.

Want to join us?  If you’re in the grades 6 – 12 we’d love to see you on a Sunday night.  Dress in comfortable clothes.  Come hungry and ready to see God in the people around you.

*Yout (yoot):  A FUMC Jackson young person in grade 6th – 12th who gathers with other similarly aged young people.  A Yout sees God in others and in the world around us.

Michigan Are United Methodist Camping offers beautiful camps were youth can grow in faith and connect with God, have a blast with games, water sports, and outdoor adventures, live in community with trained and caring counselors, unplug from electronics and daily distractions, discover and learn through new experiences, be safe and accepted, build relationships that often last a lifetime.
You can check out the possibilities and register at umcamping.org.  Scholarship funds may be available, so contact the church office if a teen you love wants to go to church camp.

Each summer the Youts travel outside of our community for a week-long mission trip.  Our favorite week of the year includes work projects for individuals and non-profits.  We’ve skill-sawed our way through hundreds of pieces of wood and drywall, pounded countless nails, and drilled our way through decks, walls, and projects big and small – getting to know the people around us as we work.  Evenings are full of free time, group activities, and worship.  We take over the church social media feeds while we are away so that our church family can get a glimpse into what we’re doing and how God is working in us.