Youth Programming
All 6th Through 12th Graders are Welcome!
Invite your friends for faith, food, and fun/fellowship!
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 6th through 12th-grade youth.
Join us for lunch and youth group every Sunday after worship.
Upcoming Events for Children and Youth
Our children (1st grade and up) and youth have already begun rehearsing to tell the story of Pentecost through song during worship on May 24, Pentecost Sunday.
All children and youth will also be singing on Celebration Sunday, June 14. When our youth will also share a dramatic reading of The Errant Knight by Ann Tompert, with illustrations by Doug Keith.
Intergenerational Choir
Our Intergenerational Choir will be leading worship again on June 14!
Practice will take place during Kids of the Kingdom (grades 1 & 2), Joyful Noise (grades 2-5), Youth Arts (grades 6-12), and Sanctuary Choir rehearsals. We will combine all the groups in rehearsal following worship on May 31 and June 7, and this is also a time when adults who do not sing in the Sanctuary Choir can come to learn the two-part song “Like the Gentle Rain” by Mary Lynn Lightfoot. Let’s overflow the choir loft as we lift our voices in song. Singing with all ages together is a blessing to everyone.
New members are always welcome! Please contact Stephanie, our Director of Youth and Children’s Music and the Arts, for more information. smmiller@kentmethodist.com
Ash Wednesday for Families Led by Our Youth
Regular Sunday Schedule
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First Sunday of each month: families are encouraged to worship and receive Holy Communion together.
2nd, 3rd, 4th, (and 5th) Sundays: youth remain in worship until after the Time with Young Disciples and then meet in the youth room for a time of discussion and study.
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Find Out More About How and Why Youth Are Encouraged to Participate in Worship
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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 12:30 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!
11:00 am — Lunch in the Youth Room
11:30 am to 12:30 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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Senior High Youth Confirmation
Confirmation is an 8-month small-group exploration of the Christian faith with Pastor Jim and a group of Young Adult leaders, which 8 Senior High Youth of our church have undertaken this year. We meet from 11:30 – 12:30 on Sundays, with three special weekend retreats along the way, as we do a deep dive into the following Jesus. Please pray for the youth and their leaders this year that God would bless us all with a growing faith to meet the challenges and opportunities of our time!
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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, 12:30-1:15.
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.
Christmas Institute 2025
CI 2025: Balikbayan
Message from Kuya EJ: I just wanted to thank the Youth for taking that leap of faith in coming to CI 2025. It’s a season where most of us are used to being home for winter break. But taking the jump to connect with God, through social holiness, scripture, and overall friends, really puts tears (of joy) in my eyes. Being not only a Youth Director here at Kent but also the Operations Coordinator for Christmas Institute has been a true blessing to my life. Thank you for coming, and get ready for CI 2026!—Kuya EJ.
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 kentmethodist.com/safe.
Parents—Volunteer with Us
Please prayerfully consider whether you can volunteer your time and skills to serve Kent UMC youth.
If you are interested, please contact us. We need 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 Our Youth Programs?
Please reach contact the church office.
Don’t forget to fill out a Youth Consent form for each youth! (See below.)
Mini-golf with Pastor Jim, 2023