Meridian Street United Methodist Church sees its youth as a vital part of the church and makes them a priority.  One of the most active groups in our church is the United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF).  The group is devoted to having fun in a Christian environment through recreation, devotions, discussions, community service projects, and worship.

The vision of the Children’s and Youth Ministries is that by the time our youth reach age 18, they will have had the spiritual education and experiences to enable them to make faith a priority in their lives as they enter adulthood.  The complete text of our vision statement can be downloaded by clicking here.

Sunday night UMYF meetings include discussions of current issues of concern to youth, along with a variety of fun activities. Teens also participate in local service projects; they help serve at Roberts Park UMC’s soup kitchen, work at Fletcher Place, and support the Interfaith Hospitality Network whenever possible.

One of the most memorable events for both groups are the annual junior and senior high mission trips.  Funds are raised for the trips by various projects all year long, like the Pumpkin Patch in October and Mother’s Day Car Wash in May.

Within the past few years, we’ve sent some of our senior high youth, along with 19 Meridian Street adults, on a mission work trip to Africa University, Zimbabwe, and recently, the junior high group worked in West Virginia doing home repair and rebuilding.

In June of 2006, our youth group students made a joint mission trip to Hazard, Kentucky to work on housing for local residents.  The groups traveled together, but worked on separate projects. 

Throughout the school year, the youth get together for fun.  Hayrides, bowling, ice skating, and eating dinner together are just some of the activities.

People in the neighborhood and city have come to look for the plentiful piles of pumpkins on our lawn during October.  We get pumpkins from the Navajo Indians of the Four Corners, New Mexico area, so we benefit a mission project while also raising money for our youth’s mission trips. 

A youth handbell choir for junior and senior high school students rehearses at 5:30 pm on Sundays.  Contact Miriam Wells-Metelko, Handbell Director, for more information.

Youth are also invited to participate in the Chancel Choir, the group that sings in worship services on Sunday mornings.  The Chancel Choir practices on Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm.  Contact Peggy Macke, Director of Music Ministries, for more information.

The junior high Sunday School class explores contemporary issues affecting them and seeks answers to problems in light of biblical teachings.  The class meets at 10:30 am on the third floor.

As a part of its ministry to youth, Meridian Street United Methodist Church offers confirmation classes to 6th graders.  The course includes study of the Bible, the history of Christianity, United Methodist history, missions and service to the church.  As part of this membership preparation, Meridian Street students have discussions with the pastors, participate in service projects, travel to Camp Otto for a week-end retreat, and worship together.