Youth Group Weekly on Sundays from 5:30-7pm. September 14, 2025 through May 2026. It’s a safe space to be your perfectly imperfect self! Brecksville UMC’s Youth Ministry is the place for friendship, faith and fun for students in grades six through twelve.
Faith, food and fun is on the agenda.
Each week we’ll do our check-in with each other while noshing on pizza. Then we’ll have a conversation about one person who worked for more love, kindness, and justice in the world using the book “Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints” and do an activity or game.
As we navigate a new normal without our beloved youth director, we are trying something new in this season. Dawn Carter, youth group parent and professional educator, has put together a wonderful “curriculum” with ideas for each week of youth group through the new year. It’s a sort of “choose-your-own adventure” resource to empower volunteers to lead each week.
Parents, you are encouraged to sign up to host on specific dates. (Pastor Heidi, Jamie and Jenny will provide the theological content, and the parent(s) provide the activity and get drinks, paper products, and clean up afterwards.) You will be surrounded for support and together we will all make sure the kids know they’re loved!
Friends are always welcome! We meet on the front lawn or in the Youth Room.
Here’s our current schedule – subject to change!
September 14 – Mary Oliver (Shannon Kantorowski host.)
September 21 – Danilo Cortez, Walk in My Shoes or Photo Scavenger Hunt (Jamie Schwendeman & Kim Petro host.)
September 28 – Home Gathering w/ youth & parents (Pastor Heidi leads youth. Jenny Gee leads parents.)
October 5 – Ani Zonneveld, tie-dye shirts (Jamie Schwendeman and Jenny Gee host.)
October 12 – Thich Nhat Hanh, Labyrinth or desktop Zen gardens. (Tracy Adanich will host.)
October 19 – Florence Nightingale, (temporary) tattoos expression of faith. (Jamie Schwendeman & Pastor Heidi host)
October 26 – (5-7pm) Pumpkin Patch Party & “Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (Hilary & Michael Houff and Kim Petro Host.)
November 2 – Brian McLaren, Intergenerational Youth Group, sharing stories (Carly Kubek and Matt & Kathy Auble will host.)
November 9 – Mr. Rogers, appreciation, thanksgiving, being a good neighbor (World Kindness/Cardigan Day is 11/13)
November 16 – Project Feed at Kent UMC – Sunday, November 16 from 3:00-5:00pm (leaving BUMC at 2pm). Pack thousands of meals with youth from all over Ohio! Transportation will be provided. Let Jenny know if you want to attend!
November 23 – Rachel Held Evans, A place at the table/Friendsgiving
November 30 – No Youth Group– Brecksville Holiday parade & square lighting
December 7 – Danya Ruttenberg, light/create luminaries for Christmas or play glow games
December 14 – Youth Christmas Party
December 22– January 2 – winter break
January 4 – No Youth Group?
January 11 – St. Francis, giving to others or pets