What We Do

SERVICE

Front Street youth are not only active within the church, but within the community of Burlington and Alamance County as well. Here are some of the recent service and outreach activities the UMYF have been a part of:

The pictures above provide just a small sampling of how the youth of Front Street reach out to others. Whether it's hosting a Trunk or Treat event for the community, serving hot meals at the homeless shelter, shopping for Christmas presents for needy families, raking yards for elderly church members, packing shoeboxes of Christmas goodies for impoverished children, or raising money for local charities, service continues to be one of the strongest aspects of the youth ministry at Front Street.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday school is organized for both the Junior High and Senior High youth at Front Street UMC. These classes meet each Sunday morning. Youth coordinators work with church staff to provide structured teaching by well-prepared instructors. For the fall of 2011, the Sr. High curriculum will be the "Essential Passages for Youth" study, and the Jr. Highs will be using "Believe-It-Or-Not Bible Studies".

CONFIRMATION CLASS

Confirmation class at Front Street is a year-long endeavor for youth in the 6th grade. The classes join the UMYF for snack supper at 5:30, and then have their class from 6:00 - 7:00 on Sunday evenings. This year, Confirmands will be given more opportunities to integrate with the UMYF, rather than waiting until after Confirmation before participating in the youth ministry.

UNITED METHODIST YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

An important part of the youth ministry at Front Street is the United Methodist Youth Fellowship, known as UMYF. The UMYF provides youth opportunities for:

• developing personal faith and a commitment to Christ.
• experiencing Christian fellowship in a peer-group situation.
• developing leadership skills through planning and leading United Methodist Youth programs.
• giving support to and sharing concerns with one another and with adults in a caring Christian community.
• developing personal relationships with adults who show characteristics of Christian maturity.
• participating in service, outreach and study activities, such as serving at holiday soup kitchens, Loaves & Fishes, mission trips, and other volunteer opportunities.

The Front Street UMYF is divided into two age groups on Sunday evenings: The Junior High UMYF for those in grades 7 and 8 and the Senior High UMYF for those in grades 9-12. Both groups meet at 5:30 p.m. for a snack supper and then meet separately for the program, which is based on either Bible Study/discussion, service, worship, or recreation from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Our youth are also actively involved in the connectional opportunities that being part of the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church offers. Every year, we have had youth represent our church as delegates to the Youth Annual Conference Session at Methodist University in Fayetteville, and we also currently have youth who are members of the Conference and District Youth Councils.

SMALL GROUPS (SGs)

Youth are assigned a group depending on their grade (7th/8th grade, 9th/10th, or 11th/12th). Together with their leaders, they meet twice a month and plan a variety of fellowship and service projects. After a successful implementation during the 2006-2007 year, the UMYF will be continuing with the Small Group ministry. Group meetings are on a flexible schedule, and meet outside of church, be it at a leader's home or for a fellowship meeting at a local restaurant/coffee shop.

THE MUSIC PROGRAM

Music and worship opportunities for youth include the Youth Handbells, who play regularly in worship. No prior musical training is necessary, although some experience is helpful. Under the leadership of Front Street's music director David Ratchford, the group practices on Sunday afternoons. Informal short-term music groups form from time to time for special occasions, and a youth choir also sings for special occasions. The Youth Praise Band One Foundation also practices on a regular basis and have played at worship services as well as special church events.

Please contact the Youth Director Derek Tang if you would like more information.