YOUTH MINISTRY

Grades 6-12 

Our youth ministry is multi-dimensional, supporting youth, 6th–12th grade from both the Buffalo Grove and Deerfield campuses, as they grow in mind, body, and spirit. We are committed to being inclusive and welcoming all youth. Our program provides a variety of ways for youth to stay connected so that they can grow in their love for God,  live their faith in service, and build sacred community with other youth and adults.
All events, activities, and information shared is for youth at both campuses as well as the community! All are welcome!
Jump to the section you would like to learn more about by selecting one of the following buttons.

Children & Youth Registration

Feedback Form

IMPORTANT: Please register all children and youth (birth through grade 12) for the 2025-2026 school year! The form should only take a few minutes to complete.
Our goal is to provide a safe and nurturing space for all children and youth, which begins with gathering important information so we can best serve your family.
Your voice matters! If you have a prayer request, suggestion, question, or feedback for Kate, she is always here for you. Feel free to share in person or through this form.
Thank you for taking the time to connect and share!

Sunday School for Students Grades 6-12

Details about Youth Sunday School at Buffalo Grove:
  • Meets from 9:00-10:00 am every Sunday
  • During this time, we will study scripture, activate learning with hands on tasks, and discuss faith in our daily lives
  • The first Sunday of every month, youth will help lead the service and participate in Communion with the rest of the church

Buffalo Grove Campus

  • November 9: Plot Twists, please stay after a few minutes to hand out Food Pantry bags
  • November 16: Food Pantry Sunday
  • November 23: Service Sunday (PADS support, Food Pantry, and cooking breakfast)
  • November 30: Write Your Story
  • December 7: Youth help lead the service, No Youth Sunday School, Hanging of the Greens Interactive Service
  • December 14: An Unlikely Advent Series: A Curious People
  • December 21: An Unlikely Advent Series: When God Shows Up (Note the one service time: 10:00am)
  • December 24: Christmas Eve Children and Youth-led Service (4:00pm), No Sunday School
  • December 28: No Youth Sunday School

Deerfield Campus

While there is no official Youth Sunday School at the Deerfield campus, you are encouraged to connect with Rev. Clayton to find out ways to get involved during the 10:00 am service (A/V, reading, greeting, serving, and more).

Upcoming Events

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Sunday, November 23 from 3-5pm
St. Gregory's Episcopal Church


Join us for an interfaith service and learning event. All youth are invited to meet us there. If you need a ride, please let Kate know.

Please RSVP for this event to Kate.

Hanging of the Greens at BG

Sunday, December 7
We will begin our new sermon series, An Unlikely Advent!

9:00 AM Service @ BG
Join us for an unlikely activity-based service with stations and contemporary Christmas hymns—there will be no Sunday school so everyone can participate as we prepare both our hearts and our space for the season.

10:30 AM Service @ BG
A traditional service with familiar hymns and rituals will continue this preparation, offering another meaningful way to enter the Advent season.

Carols & Cookies
Family Event at BG

Sunday, December 7 from 5-7pm
Join us for a whole family Sunday Night Live special event at Buffalo Grove! Wear your festive holiday gear and invite your friends!
5:00-6:00pm= BYOD (Bring your own dinner)
Pick up from your favorite restaurant or make dinner at home to bring to the Activity Center to enjoy while sitting with others
There will be no dinner provided or dishwashing team this night
6:00-7:00pm= Carols and Cookies 
Join the whole church in singing Christmas carols in the Sanctuary and enjoying some cookie treats in the Fireside Room provided by our Welcoming and Connecting Team

Christmas Eve Family Service

December 24
4:00pm

Join us for a children and youth-led  family service on Christmas Eve!
All kids and youth are invited to sign up to help lead this family-friendly service as we celebrate the JOY of Jesus's birth!

Sunday Night Live (SNL) Youth Group

Who Comes to SNL
  • Kingswood Children and Youth from both campuses
    • Third Grade God Squad (3rd graders)
    • Club 45 (4th and 5th graders)
    • Youth Group (6th through 12th graders)
  • Friends are ALWAYS welcome! ALL are welcome!
What to Expect @ Each SNL
  • Drop-off & Pick-up: You can drop off and pick up your middle/high schooler at the front doors of the Buffalo Grove campus—you do not need to come into the building unless you have a younger child in grades 3-5 who will need to be dropped off/picked up in person.
  • Dinner (5:00–5:40pm): Everyone gathers in the Activity Center for food, games, and time to connect. If the menu isn’t a favorite, students are welcome to bring their own meal. We will all work together to clean up the space once dinner is over.
  • Worship (5:40–6:00pm): We’ll move into the Sanctuary for a short interactive lesson and worship time.
  • Fun & Fellowship (6:00–6:45pm): Youth split off for their own games and activities.
  • Small Group Reflections (6:45–7:00pm): Small groups will close out the night with guided reflection and conversation along with enjoying some dessert.
What to Bring to Each SNL
  • $3 for dinner (scholarships are always available if needed)—an envelope will be in the Activity Center for cash donations, or you can donate online at our Kingswood Give site and note that it is for SNL.
  • Gym shoes – we’ll be moving around, so comfortable shoes make it easier to join in.
  • An open spirit and an open mind– SNL nights are always more fun when you’re willing to try new things and jump in without worrying about embarrassment. Participation makes the night that much more rewarding!

2025-2026 SNL Dates

September 7 -- God is with You (Kick-off, Noodle Wars)
September 21 -- Rooted in Faith (Kickball, Park)
October 5 -- Grateful Heart (Kickball, Park)
October 19 -- God's Harvest (Pumpkin Party)
November 2 -- Shine Your Light (Campfire, S'mores)
November 16 -- Friends and Kindness (Friendsgiving)
December 7 -- Gift of Jesus (Carol Sing-Along)
December 21 -- God is with Us (Christmas party, Christmas Eve Rehearsal)
January 4  -- Follow the Light (Activity TBA)
January 18  
-- Justice and Mercy (Activity TBA)
February 1  
-- Feeding Others (Cereal Bowl)
February 15  
-- God's Love is Real (Activity TBA)
March 1  
-- Called & Brave (Activity TBA)
March 15  
-- God is our Shepherd (Activity TBA)
April 19 -- Move Up Celebration and Family Potluck
IMPORTANT NOTE: SNL on 11/16 is at the Deerfield Campus!
Up Next: Friends and Kindness
When: Sunday, November 16 from 5-7pm
Theme Verse: Colossians 3:12
Dinner: Menu and prep by the 3rd-5th graders
Activity: Service project and dinner together
Leaders: Kate L., Rebecca H.

Upcoming Service Opportunities

Please reach out to Kate if you need service hours or have suggestions for service projects!

World Kindness Day Open House

Thursday, November 13
Any time between 6-8pm
Kingswood BG Activity Center

Save the date and join us to participate in a variety of kindness-focused projects! Friends, family, neighbors welcome! Kindness is for everyone, from everyone!

Please bring a non-perishable food item for donation!

Feed My Starving Children
Packing Event

Saturday, November 15
5:00-6:30pm
Libertyville Feed My Starving Children Center


Join Kingswood as we pack meals to help fight world hunger and bring hope to children in need. FMSC provides nutritious, hand-packed meals that are sent to partners around the globe to feed the most vulnerable.

REGISTRATION IS FULL--please contact Kate to join the waitlist.

Culver's Fundraiser

Saturday, November 15
Culver's Northbrook or Buffalo Grove
Eat at Culver's in Northbrook or Buffalo Grove any time and show them our fundraiser flier, to give our 2026 Kingswood Youth Summer Mission Trip some support!  They have to see the flier for us to get the credit, but you can show them this on your phone. Share with friends and family!
And if you're able, after FMSC, we will all head to Culver's for dinner together!

Youth Mission Trips

Important information about dates, details, and more can be found by selecting the three green buttons below.

Summer 2026 - Youth Mission Trip

July 12-18, 2026
Altoona, PA with 
TEAMeffort

All youth — from incoming 6th graders to recently graduated 12th graders and their friends— are invited to join us for an unforgettable week of service! We’ll be staying in Penn State campus housing and partner with established local ministries on meaningful construction projects.

It may seem early, but spots fill fast — complete the following forms and payments by selecting the three blue buttons below to reserve your spot!
2023
Detroit, MI with CASS
2024
Kentucky with ASP
2025
Milwaukee, WI with YouthWorks
How can you support our trip?

Pray for the volunteers
Pray for the staff
Pray for the recipients of the trip
Donate to help support the trip financially

Ongoing Service Opportunities

PADS

Kingswood welcomes guests every Tuesday night from October through April. Youth under the age of 18 can support this important ministry every Tuesday from 6:15-8:30 pm or Wednesday from 7:00-8:00 am. Youth may not interact with the guests, but can help in many ways during set up! Volunteers ages 18 or older can work any time throughout the night!

Gratitude Generation

Housed in our Deerfield site campus at 815 Rosemary Terrace in Deerfield, IL,  they do a tremendous amount of compassionate work in our community, for others, and teaches the next generation of children and families how to serve.  We've been thrilled to partner with them at events we've held, and we support their mission to  support neighbors in need while building a new generation of service-minded leaders.  Check out the many opportunities they have for kids and teens. 

Pop Tab Collection

Join Kilmer School in District 21 and the Village of Wheeling to help families of children receiving treatment/services within the Lurie Children's Hospital. We are collecting all types of tabs in Sunday School to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities!
One of our Youth Sunday School leaders, Dr. Rebecca Reynolds has a wonderful charity called Reynolds' Provisions. See how you can support this great organization that is doing good works to help fill individualized needs of educational programs for communities around the world.
Please reach out to Kate if you are in need of service hours, have a heart to serve others, or have ideas of other service-focused projects we can participate in!

Get Involved

Confirmation

Congratulations to the 2025 Confirmation Class! 
We celebrated two baptisms and five confirmands on May 18, 2025! God is so good!

Confirmation 2026 will be May 17, 2026 and is for students 8th grade or above.  
Contact Kate Lapetino for more information.

Youth Praise Band

Youth Praise Band is for ANY and ALL performers from 5th-12th grade! No matter your instrument of choice or your experience level, we have a place for you here!

Questions, one-on-one voice, guitar, or other lessons: Contact Felicia Patton, Director of Music Ministries
One-on-one piano lessons: Contact our Organist, Dr. Michael Fritsch

Check out the calendar of tentative practice and performance dates!

Get Connected

KUMCYM Insta

Check out all of our updates and events on our Kingswood Youth Instagram page!
Connect with our Kingswood youth and share with your friends!
@kumcym

Apps, Devos, and Podcasts

Looking for a way to stay connected? Download one of these recommended apps or daily devotionals! Share any others that you enjoy with Kate to keep this list updated!
YouVersion Bible App
Big Life Devotional
Daily Bible Inspirations
Sunday Sermon: Kingswood Podcast
Ridiculous Grace: Miss Jenn and Kate's Podcast

NEW PODCAST!!!!!!!

Worship Through Music

Worship always gets elevated with music. Whether we can sing in tune or not, we can all benefit immensely from singing to God with enthusiasm.
Connect through music by listening to our Spotify playlists!
Are there songs missing?
Share your suggestions with Kate to add to our lists!
Join Miss Jenn and Kate, our Coordinator of Youth and Serving Ministries, as they tackle the weekly scripture for the upcoming Sunday.  
God's working here, but sometimes it's in ridiculous ways...both hilarious ridiculous and grace beyond amazing ridiculous.  

New Ridiculous Grace episodes every Wednesday!

Mental Health is More than a Month!

More than ever, mental health is so important in ALL of our lives.  We face each day with more input and information than ever before and it can feel overwhelming without even realizing that it's overwhelming.  You don't really know any other way, so this constant bombardment of distractions and information is "normal".  We must all find time to take a break, unplug, and seek peace.

Prayer and time with God can be a HUGE gift to our mental health, but it doesn't stop there.  God is an amazing provider and gives us many supports and resources to better our mental health.  Check out the following resources for information, support, and ways to get involved.

Looking for some parent 
tips, tricks, and resources? 
Check out our Parents page!

Ready to share your time volunteering or check your current volunteer schedule?
Check out our Volunteer page!

Our youth always welcomes snack donations or other items for our space! 
Thank you for your support and generosity!
Kate Lapetino

We are committed to being inclusive and welcoming towards all youth.

Kate Lapetino, Coordinator of Youth and Serving Ministries