At St. Paul’s we believe students (6th-12th grade) should experience a safe place where they can gather with others their own age, be formed in faith and sent into the world to be Difference Makers because of the love of Jesus. We do this through the study of scripture, music, worship, fellowship and mission work in service to our church, community and across the nation.
Take a look at what we offer for youth in the announcments below.
One of the blessings of our St. Paul’s UMC Foundation is that many people have given gifts so that we have scholarships to offer church members and others. This year, like last year, we have $18,500 available. Applications should be completed by April 15.
In addition, a variety of scholarships and loans for students attending United Methodist and other accredited colleges and universities are available to our church members. Check these resources:
The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission has launched its 8th Annual Fair Housing Art and Poetry Contests! Check out the link to the flyers below for more information. Submissions due by April 7, 2023. They are looking forward to seeing your submissions!
April 2: Divine Helper: The Holy Spirit as a Guide
April 9: - No Class Easter
April 16: Two Natures, One Man, Who is Jesus?
April 23: What is Salvation?
April 30: From Whence We Came - Creeds
Youth Co-op
April 2: Czech Museum Visit – 2:30 - 4:00pm
April 16: Youth Co-Op Hangout, board games and movie. 3:00 - 6:00pm
Books & Bites
An opportunity for parents to chat about books and share in a bite to eat this Spring! ANYONE who hasn’t read a good book lately and wants to try is welcome! Contact Nancy AntonJensen if you are interested so we can prepare, 319-360-4144 or (nantonjensen@gmail.com).
Have you ever wanted to be a part of something bigger than the local church? Have you ever wanted to serve your church brothers and sisters in Christ? This opportunity might be for you!
The Diakonos (Greek for a servant) Leadership Development program application is open for 15 high schoolers (entering 9th grade in 2023 – 12th grade graduates) from around the state to assist during the Iowa Annual Conference 2023 session from June 1-4 at the RecPlex in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Diakonos will help deliver communications, directions, aide and assist those attending, learn about the United Methodist Church and its processes, have fun, and do lots of other activities.
The application, letter of reference, health form, and housing deposit check must be mailed and postmarked by Monday, May 1, 2023. Candidate selection will be announced after May 6.
Please mail all forms to Pastor Steve Braudt, P.O. Box 57, Wilton, IA 52778. The original documents with signatures are needed. Essays can be emailed to Pastorstevebraudt@gmail.com.
Youth Music rehearsal is moving on Sunday mornings to the education time (10:10-11:10 am). Currently, students have spent most of the time playing handbells to participate in worship. Have you not played bells before? That is OK. Do you have little musical experience? That is OK. There is a place for anyone who wants to participate, no matter what skill level you have.
The Spirit of God will lead the way and other experiences, such as drumming, drama, etc., may become a part of Youth Music. This is a time to come and fellowship with other students and invest yourself in the worship life of the congregation. Worship is the part of the Christian experience that has been with us since the beginning of Christianity. Come and try it out! We cannot do it without you!! Contact Mark Baumann for more information.
Youth Mission Trip 2023
Every four years, youth from throughout The United Methodist Church have gathered for four days of discipleship, fun, and fellowship at the YOUTH event. The event is filled with interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service opportunities, and fellowship time. YOUTH 2023 is a chance for your church to again experience cutting-edge speakers, amazing artists, and broaden youth’s understanding of what they and their church are capable of! We will also be working alongside the North Central Jurisdiction in service work on our way to Daytona. More information about Youth 2023 can be found at here.
At St. Paul’s, we believe missions are a powerful step in our youths’ faith journeys. We encourage youth to begin these experiences in 6th grade and continue them through 12th grade. Mission trips allow students to get out of their comfort zones to be the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus Christ in the world. Our mission trips have included recovery missions in response to Hurricane Katrina and the tornadoes in Oklahoma and Joplin Missouri; and a service learning trip to Memphis, Tennesssee. Trips traditionally take place during the summer months.
See information about upcoming Mission Trips in Youth Announcements.
Confirmation is a great responsibility, and it can be challenging. It is such an important time in the faith development of young people.
Too often, confirmation has been downgraded to the role of a checkpoint along the faith journey. We want to provide students with an experience to help them on a journey toward a mature faith.
At your child’s baptism, we recognized God’s grace at work in your child, you promised to raise your child in the way that leads to life everlasting, and the faith community agreed to stand beside you and your child in faith development.
Confirmation is a continuation of what God started in baptism; for that matter, confirmation is a continuation of what God started in the community of faith in your child’s baptism. While confirmation is the moment your teenager confirms the vows taken on his or her behalf in the baptism, it remains a communal experience, whereby the church sees the faithfulness of God at work in and through your teenager. At confirmation, your teen publicly professes personal faith in Christ and commits to faithful stewardship of time, talent, treasure, witness, and service in the body of Christ and the world. In baptism, we are initiated into the family of God, and in confirmation we publicly declare our allegiance to Christ and Christ’s church.
Confirmation is traditionally taught during the 8th grade year, however, we invite those who are in High School, to join in as well. Parents do not need to be members of St. Paul’s for a child to participate in the confirmation class.
For more information on Confirmation, Contact Becca Nims, Director of Youth and Family Ministries at rnims@stpaulsumc.org.
My name is Becca Nims, I am the Director of Family Ministries. Thank you for entrusting us with your students! Here at St. Paul’s our goal is to create a safe environment where students gather with other students their own age, be formed in faith and sent into the world to be a Difference Maker. Please feel free to email rnims@stpaulumc.org
Got questions?
If you have further questions about St. Paul's Youth experience, click the button below and connect with us!
