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.  
Sunday School for middle and high schoolers is held during our 9:00 am worship service at the Buffalo Grove campus.

Children, Youth, & Young Adult Survey

We want to hear from you!
As our Kingswood United Methodist Church (UMC) children, youth, and young adult groups continue to grow in faith and fellowship, we would like your feedback and input into elevating this already incredible community! The more information you can share, the better! We will use this information to help guide us as we move forward.

This survey is adaptive, meaning the question sets will change based on some of your initial answers. This survey should take about 5-15 minutes to complete depending on your pathway and how detailed your answers are.

Every survey completed by May 25 will be entered into a raffle to win a prize! Our hope is that every family completes this survey along with all youth and young adults (beyond their family response).

Holy Saturday Easter Eve Youth-led Service

Saturday, March 30, 2024
Service at 5:00 pm
(Youth participating in the service need to arrive at 4:00 pm)
 
We are trying something new and very exciting this year for our Holy Saturday Easter Eve service on March 30. The youth are leading the service and we want you to come and celebrate with us! You are encouraged to take a screenshot of the Easter Eve invitation image  provided and share it with others!

Please reach out to Kate Lapetino (klapetino@kingswoodumc.com) if you would like to participate or if you have any questions!

Summer 2024 Youth Mission Trip

All youth who have graduated 6th grade through 12th grade are invited to join us for our Summer 2024 Youth Mission Trip to West Virginia!
Commitment deadline is fast approaching! Initial sign up is due April 1, 2024!
July 14 - July 20, 2024
Appalachia, West Virginia (exact location is yet to be shared)
Appalachia Service Project (ASP)
Registration Group Code: 15585
Payment: After you register, you can pay on the Kingswood website at "Give" or on the app at "Give Online". Please use the "Youth Mission trip" dropdown choice and write in the Notes section who is attending and if it is the first, second, or final payment for the trip. If you pay via check/cash, please also note who is attending and which payment you are turning in.
***Cost, dates, and other important information can be found by downloading the Youth Mission Trip Summer 2024 Information PDF.

*If you are registering more than one person in your family, you will need to "Create a new user account" for each person. You can use the same phone number and email address for all accounts, but each participant needs their own user account and personal information.

Special Olympics Volunteer Opportunity

Volunteer with the Special Olympics at Prospect Heights HS
Sunday, April 14 
8:00-4:00 pm
We would love for all youth to join us for a day of serving as a part of the Kingswood Youth! You will sign up on your own but we will be working at the same event and will stay together as a group.
How to sign-up: There is a Sign Up Information PDF that gives you step-by-step instructions for signing up! Then select the link "Sign up to volunteer here" to fill out your form and learn more!
Once you have signed up through the link, Kate will be in contact with you with more information for the day of the event.

Youth Dinner & Event Nights

Youth Dinner & Event Nights at the Buffalo Grove Campus
Upcoming Dates: April 7 and April 21
Time: 5:00-7:00 pm
Come for dinner and stay for faith, fellowship, and fun!
Each event is $3 with  scholarship monies available (reach out to Kate).  
All families are welcome to come for dinner from 5:00-6:00 pm and then children, youth, and parents will split up into various activities.
Grades 3-5: Check out your plans on the Children's Ministry page!
Grades 6-12: April 7 will be all about the solar eclipse with a Starlab experience and building our own solar cell phone chargers.
Parents: Join us at the Parent Life Group from 6:00-7:00 pm.

Bring a friend, or ten, we can't wait to see everyone!

Ongoing & Upcoming Service Opportunities

Gratitude Generation is a local nonprofit organization that is making generational waves!
And they are 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, teaching 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.  Seriously...they're amazing!
We are collecting donations to create Food Pantry Summer Fun Care Packages for children who visit Kingswood Food Pantry this summer! Help fill our list!
Kids Pulling for Kids Campaign
We are collecting pop tabs, soup can labels, and pet food can tabs along with Kilmer Elementary in District 21! Collection containers will be out at both the BG and Deerfield campuses!
Save the dates for Sunday, June 23 through Wednesday, June 26.  Rising kindergartners through rising 5th graders are invited to participate in Vacation Bible School from 5pm-7:30pm...with dinner included!   Registration for volunteers (adult and youth) will open May 1st. Registration for Wild Life Explorers (campers!) will open June 1st.

Other Ways to Get Involved!

Confirmation

Youth Praise Band

Confirmation is for students in the 7-8 grades from both the Buffalo Grove and Deerfield campus.  
Contact Kate Lapetino for more information.

Confirmation Sunday is May 19, 2024 at the 10:30 am BG service.
Our Buffalo Grove campus Youth Praise Band (4th-12th grade) has two more performances for the 2023-2024 school year. Join us for some great music on Saturday, March 30 at our 5:00 pm Holy Saturday service and Sunday, May 5 at our Music Ministry service!  

Questions?  Please contact Felicia Patton, Director of Music Ministries.
Looking for one-on-one piano lessons?  Contact our Organist, Dr. Michael Fritsch.
Looking for one-on-one voice, guitar or other lessons?  Contact our Director of Music Ministries, Felicia Patton.
Please know that we care deeply about the safety of children, youth, and vulnerable adults.  Every volunteer working directly with and supervising children, youth, and vulnerable adults are Safe Sanctuaries trained and background checked.
Kate Lapetino

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

Kate Lapetino, Coordinator of Youth and Serving Ministries