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.
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Children & Youth 2024-2025 School Year Registration

IMPORTANT: Please register all children and youth (birth through grade 12) for the 2024-2025 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.
Our new youth room space at the Buffalo Grove campus is getting close to being done! If you are interested in contributing to this new space, please check out our Kingswood Youth Room Amazon Wish List!  
Thank you for your support and generosity!

Sunday School for Students Grades 6-12

Buffalo Grove Youth Sunday School has two options:
  1. Activate Youth is designed for younger youth, primarily 6th-8th graders, meeting from 9:00-10:00 am. During this time, they will study scripture, activate their learning with hands on tasks, and discuss faith in their daily lives.
  2. Elevate Youth is for older youth, primarily 9th-12th graders. They begin by attending the worship service together at 9:00 and stay through the sermon. Afterward, from 9:45-10:15 am, they will leave the Sanctuary to debrief and elevate their understanding of the message and scripture in their own lives.

Deerfield Youth Sunday School: 
  • The first Sunday of every month in what we call, STARBUCKS SUNDAY from 10:00-11:00 am! We will walk to the Starbucks, grab some drinks or treats, and have our lesson discussion at Starbucks before walking back to the church by 11am. 
  • For the weeks where there is no official Youth Sunday School, 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).

Buffalo Grove Campus

  • October 27: Dream Big About Making a Difference
    • Activate Youth and Elevate Youth will both meet
  • November 3: All Saints Day (Food Sunday is shifted by one week)
    • Youth will be supporting our All Saints service and attending Communion together
    • A short lesson about All Saints Day and giving thanks for those who have gone before us
  • November 10: Food Sunday
    • Youth will help organize and sort the Food Pantry donations
    • Breakfast items will be available for all youth
  • November 17: Our Service Matters
    • Activate Youth and Elevate Youth will both meet
  • November 24: Our Words Matter
    • Activate Youth and Elevate Youth will both meet
  • December 1: Food Sunday
    • Youth will either work in the Food Pantry or help make breakfast for the group
    • Youth will participate in Communion with the rest of the church

Deerfield Campus

  • November 3: Starbucks Sunday: Giving thanks for the saints who have gone before us
  • December 1: Starbucks Sunday: Advent Series--The Heart that Grew Three Sizes (based on The Grinch)
  • January 5: Starbucks Sunday: Topic coming soon
  • February 2: Starbucks Sunday: Topic coming soon

Upcoming Events

Sunday Night Live (SNL) Youth Group

We gather for dinner, fellowship, and fun once or twice a month.  $3 per evening (Scholarship monies available, reach out to Kate for more information).  Specific details of the night will be shared closer to each event date!

Friends are ALWAYS welcome! ALL are welcome!
Remaining 2024-2025 SNL Dates
Sunday night from 5:00 to 7:00 pm:
October 27: Coco with Cocoa (movie night)
November 10
November 24
January 19
February 23
March 16
March 30
SNL nights include:
Third Grade God Squad (3rd graders)
Club 45 (4th and 5th graders)
Youth Group (6th through 12th graders)
Parent Life Group (any parent, on select SNL nights--see the Parent webpage for specific details and dates)

Advent Wreath Workshop

Lighting candles on an Advent wreath is a long cherished Christian tradition.  Bring your family on Sunday December 1 to learn more about what an Advent wreath is and how to use it.   Make your own  and take it home for the Advent season.  Our come-and-go-as-you're-able workshop will be from 10am-noon at our BG campus, and 11am-noon at our DF campus.

There will be a small fee for materials, but please reach out to Kate if your family needs a little help with that...no worries!!!

Ongoing & Upcoming Service Opportunities

Feed My Starving Children

Join us on Saturday, November 2 from 11:30-1:15pm in Libertyville to pack hand-pack rice, soy, dried vegetables and a nutritionally complete blend of vitamins and minerals into bags which are then sealed, boxed, placed on pallets and shipped to their incredible partners working hard to reach the neediest children around the world. Through volunteering at FMSC, you’ll get the chance to impact hundreds of kids in just two hours per packing shift. You’ll experience what it’s like to make a tangible difference today.
Register TODAY!

World Kindness Day Event

This world needs kindness more than ever!  Join us for a fun family event that will be focused on quite the adventure of kindness.
Wednesday, November 13 in the evening with pizza dinner provided.

Stay tuned for details and registration!!

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 6:00-7:00 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! 18 or older can work any time throughout the night!
Email Kate for more information and to sign up  for the 2024-2025 year.

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!
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

Confirmation is for students 8th grade or above from both the Buffalo Grove and Deerfield campus.  
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! Check out the calendar of tentative practice and performance dates!

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

Summer Youth Mission Trip

Congratulations to this year's mission trip participants who traveled with Appalachia Service Project to Magoffin County, Kentucky from July 14-20, 2024! It was a wonderful week of service, fellowship, and friendships! Thank you to all who prayed and supported our trip!

More info about the 2025 Youth Mission Trip will be shared this fall!

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
Kingswood UMC Weekly Sermon 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!

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!

Kate Lapetino

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

Kate Lapetino, Coordinator of Youth and Serving Ministries