Our children’s ministry coordinator (Preschool through 4th grade) is Amy Dickinson-Smith. Amy also serves as the director of Wednesday Night Live. Marc Middleton is the Youth Director (5th – 12th grades). Bible study and activities are coordinated for children and youth ranging in ages from toddlers to teens. Just some of the programs we offer to the youth in our area.
Sunday School – September to May. Held before church from 9am to 10am. Activities include bible study, music and crafts as well as occasionally preparing for participation in worship service (skits, musicals, etc). Classes covering all school age children & teens – kindergarten through high school. Come as you are. There are also adult bible studies at the same time for parents.
Core – 5th thru 12th grades – Wednesday from 2:45pm – 5:00pm (Start of Wednesday Night Live). Just for the pre-teens and teens. January of 2017, CORE will also be happening on Mondays from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Double the fun for January! If we get enough volunteers, we can continue CORE twice a week. See Marc if you are interested in helping. Summer Schedule varies, contact the office.
Parents – Get information on CORE here.
Wednesday Night Live – All Ages (Kids through Adults) – Wednesdays from October thru April – 5:00pm – 7pm Includes Family Dinner. Bible Studies for all ages, including an adult class. Kids have bible study, recreation and crafts. Everyone has family dinner together. Open to all in our community. Free will offering.
Youth Music – Many of the Bethany UMC youth are involved in hand bell choir and also the Bethany band. Sunday school and Wednesday Night Live (WNL) both have music components. Speak with staff about music opportunities for all ages. Our church also has Happy Bells from time to time during service which is a fun way for the youth (and the adults!) to get involved with music.
United Methodist Summer Camp – Speak with youth coordinators about camp opportunities. We are a church that likes to camp together! The United Methodist Church has church camps across the state and many of our youth participate and attend together. The youth have various fundraising opportunities throughout the year to help offset the costs of camp. You can have a lifetime of memories at summer camp.
Youth Missions – The Bethany UMC youth participate in several missions projects including Operation Christmas Child, Takin’ It To the Streets, and other projects. On the last Sunday of every month, the youth collect a noisy offering (loose change) during church. If you want to help with that, contact Amy.
Other Activities – The children’s and youth coordinators plan several outings for the kids throughout the year. Some of the highlights include a pizza and Christian comedy show, Laffa-Laffa Pizza-Pizza with all of the youth from the Crossroads District, U-Nite lock-in with the district youth, Christian concerts, an annual gnome hunt in Frankenmuth, and other activities as they come up with opportunities for the kids. In addition, the kids often put on luncheons or breakfasts for fundraising for mission projects like Operation Christmas Child as well as camp scholarships.
Check out some photos of recent activity for the youth of Bethany United Methodist Church
