YAA (Youth At Aley)
At Aley UMC our students (grades 6-12) are important to us! We encourage them to discover and develop their faith and understanding of the Bible on a personal and communal level. At Aley we understand that not everyone will agree on everything, and that's OK! We encourage youth to develop and take hold of their faith as their own. Our mission in YAA is to develop a community of sacred, authentic, and shared, love value and belonging.
Weekly Gatherings
Each Wednesday night from 6:00-7:30, youth gather to have fun while deepening relationship with God and each other. A typical youth group gathering includes snacks, games, lesson, and application. We focus a lot on serving and justice within our communities. It is a great time to be with other youth in a positive and encouraging environment. We meet in the upstairs youth area behind the sanctuary (enter door 2).
We also gather for YAA on Sunday mornings, 9:40-10:20 in the upstairs youth area behind the sanctuary (enter from the narthex). We gather to look a little deeper dive into Scripture through themes that connect to what the kids and parent classes are learning about too!
Spring Retreat
Join us as we head to Camp Lebanon for a Youth Spring Retreat for students in grades 6-12! Students are encouraged to bring friends and cost is $50 per student, financial assistance available if needed. Our retreat will offer an opportunity to get away, connect with God and each other, be in nature, and have lots of fun! Camp Lebanon offers lots of outdoor space for exploring and playing and several opportunities for activity; we’ll also have some indoor game space.
Our theme for the retreat is "Irreplaceable" - Who is Jesus? We’re called to spend our lives following him and becoming more like him. But do we really know who we’re following? As we dive into Jesus’ “I Am” statements, we will discover who Jesus is and who we’re called to be. Jesus is irreplaceable! Sign up on the ‘Get Involved’ page and place registration payment in the offering plate labelled “Youth Retreat (students name)”.
Click here to register - registration due by March 2.
Special Events
Click here for a calendar of events for YAA Spring 2025
We like to spend time together having lots of fun! We've gone bowling, had campfires, tried our hand at Escape Rooms, packed hygiene kits, gone to Young's Dairy, watched movies, and enjoyed several other fun group activities! We believe that it's important to have some fun while surrounded with good friends.
Summer Camp
SAVE THE DATE: July 14-19, 2025
Each summer youth are invited to attend Tar Hollow Church Camp. This Camp is open to all youth entering grades 7 through those who just graduated high school. College age students and adults are encouraged to volunteer as staff. Tar Hollow is a locally led camp that has been in place for over 60 years and is open to all denominations. The camp was originally founded by a church in Sidney, OH but has grown to include campers and staff from over 40 different churches. We spend a week together in fellowship, worship, learning, growing, sharing, and discovery. It is an excellent opportunity for youth to connect with God & each other.
For more information about Tar Hollow, click here.
Youth Serving in Kids' Ministry
Youth serving in Kids' ministry is awesome to see and we're grateful for every youth that signs up to help serve the kids of Aley UMC! To allow opportunity for all youth to serve, please only sign up for one nursery and/or one kids' church spot per month. If we are in need of additional serving, Susan or Pastor Abby will reach out to see if you're available for additional week(s). Please make every effort to be here on the weeks you sign up for; we're counting on you! If something comes up and you're not able to make it, please let Susan and/or Pastor Abby know as soon as possible so we can find other coverage. Youth servants will need to be safe sanctuary trained as well.
Click here to sign up (This sign up is only for youth who are signing up to serve, adults should contact Susan Grinkemeyer)
