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.
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.
Bringing the C.I. Theme to Our Youth
February Theme: Far From Home
A spin-off theme from CI’s Balikbayan (coming home). Why do we need to go home in the first place? Why does God feel so far away? What is God’s plan to bring us home?
February 1:
In the Beginning & The Fall
What was the beginning like with God? What was it like to walk with God? Why did The Fall happen?
February 8:
The Understandment of Sin
What does sin mean? What effect does it have on us? Why does it separate us from God?
February 15:
Our Relationship with God
Does God love us? What is His relationship with us? How does God view us?
February 22:
God’s Plan to Save Us
What is God’s plan for us? What is His gameplan to bring us home? What can we do?
This is a busy season for our Youth Arts teams!
Below is what they will be up to this winter and spring. Regular attendance is vital!
February 18: Leading the Ash Wednesday evening worship service for children and their families before we come together with the rest of the congregation for the burning of the palms and imposition of ashes.
Date TBD during Lent: A small group of youth will be singing to support the Angel Choir (Pre-K-K) when all of the children’s choirs sing in worship.
March 29: Some youth will be leading the Palm Procession as part of the Time with Young Disciples,
April 3: Youth will be leading the Good Friday evening service.
April 5: Some youth will be flying ribbons on Easter Sunday.
Date TBD: Youth will be leading worship with a dramatic reading of The Errant Knight
May 24: Youth will be singing with the Joyful Noise for Pentecost Sunday.
June 14: Youth will be singing as part of the intergenerational choir on Celebration Sunday.
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.
Issaquah Faith UMC Overnighter: Love Is Justice
February 28 through March 1:
Join us for a meaningful night focused on faith, friendships, and exploring what God's justice looks like in our daily lives. Students will experience worship, small groups, games, and late-night conversations that help us understand how love and justice work together in God’s Kingdom.
Time: 1 p.m., Saturday, to Noon, Sunday.
Where: Issaquah Faith UMC, 3924 Issaquah-Pine Lake Rd SE, Issaquah, WA 98029
Cost: $10 to join. The QR Code is what Issaquah First UMC provided for us!
What’s happening:
Dynamic worship & devotions
Small group discussions that go deep
Games, laughter, and late-night hangouts
Morning worship to send us out strong
What to bring: Toiletries, comfy clothes, and a sleeping bag
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