Youth

Welcome. Celebrate. Serve. All.

The youth program at Asbury First is open to all 6th–12th graders. We are the United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF). Our mission is to welcome all youth to celebrate a growing relationship with God and each other, while joyfully serving in the example of Christ. We are built on the foundations of Christianity and we take our United Methodist Church slogan seriously:

Open Hearts 

  • We want all youth to feel loved and accepted in our group regardless of age, gender, race, school district, sexual orientation, religion, etc.

Open Minds

  • We want our youth programming to be a safe place where all youth feel comfortable with sharing what is in their hearts without being judged.

Open Doors

  • We want all youth to know they are welcome—members and non-members alike— to participate in our programming. 

Youth Groups Music for Youth ConfirmationSunday Mornings Service Opportunities Youth Events

Youth Groups

Sundays, September–May

We offer 6th–8th grade and 9th–12th grade youth programming on Sunday Nights throughout the school year. 
Our schedule is as follows:

GRADES TIME LOCATION
6th–8th 1-2 pm Fellowship Hall, Gathering Center, Youth Room
9th–12th 1-2 pm Fellowship Hall, Gathering Center, Youth Room

 

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Confirmation

We traditionally celebrate confirmation with our 8th graders. We spend time throughout the 8th grade year learning more about The United Methodist Church and how it compares and contrasts with other denominations and religions. In May, the youth have the option to decide for themselves whether they wish to be confirmed into The United Methodist Church and to become full members of Asbury First United Methodist Church. 

This is a wonderful and unique opportunity for our youth to learn more about their faith and to decide whether this is something that they want to claim for themselves. Whatever they choose, all youth will continue to have a place at Asbury First.
During the pandemic, our confirmation schedule is as follows:
2nd and 4th Sundays of the Month — 5:30–6 pm, Youth Room

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Sunday Mornings

Our Youth are encouraged to join in the full life of the church. Many youth participate in worship as acolytes, crucifers, lay readers, sound and video technicians, and more. Some youth also volunteer with child care and children’s Sunday School. We have also offered various Sunday School opportunities for youth including breakfast-making, playing board games, and a guitar and ukulele club. 

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Wednesday Evenings

  GRADES TIME LOCATION
Community Dinner All 5:30-6 pm Gathering Center
Musical Rehearsal 6th-12th Grade 6-8 pm Wesley Hall and Fellowship Hall (Fall only)
Vocal Choir 6th-12th Grade 6-6:30 pm Room 205 (beginning mid-November)
Bell Choir 6th-12th Grade 6:30-7 pm Room 205 (beginning mid-November)

Fun, Faithful, Youth Events

As we kick off a new year of Youth Ministry, we are embracing our theme of New Creation. Ministry is foundationally relational, and we have missed out on myriad opportunities to be together over the past year and a half. As we work to build a new creation in our youth programming, we are asking for your help to ensure our success. For the most updated listing of times, please check the events calendar. If you are looking for educational, faith-based fun, then check out the following tentatively scheduled events:

DATE ACTIVITY
September 10, 2023 Kick-off Sunday with Youth Field Games | 1-2 pm
September 17, 2023 Youth and Parent Meeting 
| 12:30-2 pm
October 8, 2023 Wickham Farms Outing | 2:30-5 pm
October 28, 2023 Godspell Stage Build | 9 am-12 pm
October 29, 2023 Youth Group Halloween Parties | 12:30-2 pm
November 10-12, 2023 Godspell Youth Musical Performances
November 18, 2023 Tentative Miniature-Golf Outing Fundraiser
December 10, 2023 Youth Caroling—12:30-2 pm
December 17, 2023 Youth Group Chistmas Parties—12:30-2 pm
January 7, 2024 Spring Kick-Off Youth and Parent Meeting | 12:30-2 pm
February 9, 2024 Bowling at L&M Lanes | 5-7 pm
February 10, 2024 Soup Making | 9 am-12 pm 
February 11, 2024 Souper Bowl Fundraiser | 9 am-1 pm
March 3, 2024 Pie for Pi Making | 10 am-5 pm
March 10, 2024 Pie for Pi Fundraiser | 9 am-1 pm
April 14, 2024 Grill the Pastors | 12:30-2 pm
May 19, 2024 Confirmation Sunday | 11 am-12 pm
May 19, 2024 Move-Up Sunday | 12:30-2 pm
June 2, 2024 Youth Sunday
June 23, 2023 Final High School Mission Trip Meeting | 7:00-8:00 pm
July 7-13, 2024 High School Mission Trip
August 5-10, 2024 Middle School Mission Trip

 

Service Opportunities

At least once each month, our youth group partners with a local service agency to learn more about their ministries and to lend a helping hand as we are able. This helps our youth to experience the myriad opportunities that surround us in the Greater Rochester area. Agencies have included The Gandhi Institute, FoodLink, Cameron Community Missions, House of Mercy, and more.

Service Trip

In addition, our 6th–8th grade and 9th–12th grade youth are invited to partake in a week-long service trip each summer. 

  • 6th-8th graders begin their week in August by volunteering with our VBS program in the morning and local agencies in the afternoon, before embarking on an overnight to culminate the week.
  • 9th–12th graders spend a week in early July partnering with an agency around the country and the globe focusing on construction and/or immersive experiences. Partners have included Appalachia Service Project, Reach Beyond Missions, and Project Chacocente
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For more information about our youth programs, classes, or service opportunities, please contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org or by calling 585-271-1050 x105.