Youth Arts is one part of our Sunday youth programming. One of our first activities will be discussing the youth’s areas of interest, which will help determine what activities we focus on throughout the school year. Possibilities include but are not limited to, vocal and instrumental music, puppetry, drama, liturgical dance, graphic arts, and, of course, flying ribbons. This program exposes participants to a wide variety of arts, allowing them to help the congregation engage their senses in new ways as we worship together. Last year, many of our youth told me they wanted to learn how to be more active in nurturing our children’s faith formation. This year, we will continue to build on that idea and discover what new things we may be called to do next.

If you have any questions or want more information, please contact us.

Lake Retreat Camp in Ravensdale

Christmas Institute (CI) is a four-night, five-day camp that has been active for over 25 years in the Pacific Northwest alone (since 1921 in the Philippines!). CI is an ethnically relevant ministry supported through the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church. It is designed to nurture our youth and young adults in their spiritual faith and call to ministry, inspiring great leaders throughout our global church and community.

Since 2010, Youth from Kent UMC have attended CI throughout their Youth. Over time, the number of Youth attending CI has grown. Youth continue to attend CI every year; they continue to learn, grow, love, and experience themselves and their relationship with God and others. CI has developed leaders, Pastors, and ministers within our church. The Ragual brothers (EJ, Leo, Jericho) have attended CI since they first stepped foot in middle school. Now, EJ is the Collective Member of CI, and Leo and Jericho are now Leaders in Training.

The typical Sunday morning schedule for youth programming runs from 10:00 to 1:30 and includes worship, faith formation, lunch, fellowship, and youth arts. Below is the calendar of some of the upcoming events.

Sunday, December 8 – Lunch followed by pageant rehearsal until 1:30

Saturday, December 14 – Pageant dress rehearsal 10:00-12:30

Sunday, December 15 – Breakfast offered. Pageant during worship. Arrival time TBD

December 27-31 - Christmas Institute at Lake Retreat Camp

This is the Faith Part of our Youth Program. It is where we go deeper into the teachings of the Bible, learn Bible stories, and learn more about ourselves and our relationships with God and one another!

Find Out More About How and Why Youth Are Encouraged to Participate in Worship

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!

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.

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.