Youth Ministry

All youth in 6th through 8th grades are invited to join us each Sunday from 5-6:30 p.m. for FUJI. Together we will engage in activities of fellowship, exploration, and self-care that seek to foster connection, nurture meaningful relationships, and provide care in this difficult time. For additional information, contact Pastor Lydia.

All 9th through 12th graders are invited to join us each Sunday evening from 5-6:30 p.m. for FUSH! Together we will engage in activities of fellowship, exploration, and self-care that seek to foster connection, nurture meaningful relationships, and provide care to one another. This youth group also offers opportunities for youth to gain leadership skills. For more information, contact Pastor Lydia.

Quest is an opportunity for 9th and 10th graders to explore their big faith questions, experience different kinds of worship, serve others, be challenged by their peers, and learn the importance of an experiential faith. They will have doubts, they will discern what it means to be a disciple, and they will make the important decision whether they want to be members of this church. Alongside each of our confirmands on this journey is a Friend in Faith, an adult member of the congregation paired with a youth to be a mentor during this process. For information about Quest, the role of a Friend in Faith, to enroll in Quest, or to become a Friend in Faith, contact Pastor Lydia.

Each summer, First United’s youth embark on a trip to learn about and serve in another community. We might be serving at soup kitchens or food pantries, learning about food insecurity, working with folks experiencing homelessness or building homes, or learning about systemic injustices. This is an opportunity that combines fellowship, exploration, and connection through service. Youth who wish to participate in the service trip spend a portion of the program year doing service learning activities tied to the mission trip.

As an Open and Affirming congregation, First United highly values the partnership the units have with Scouts for Equality, a national organization founded to advocate for intentionally inclusive Scouting in all forms, including LGBTQ, faith choice, nationality, or financial resources. We believe in Scouting for all! More information about the troops that we sponsor is available online: Scout Troop 16 (troop16oakpark.com); Scout Troop 308 (https://opbsatroop308.org); and Cub Scout Pack 16 (pack16oakpark.org).)