PlmYOUTH - that’s what we call our high school youth program. Our youth ministry is a safe, nurturing Christian community where youth can learn and grow in faith, fellowship and service.

 

PlmYOUTH offers students in grades 9 through 12 a host of ways to find a place to belong at Plymouth:

 

These are outdoor trips designed for small groups to grow physically and spiritually.

 

Confirmation Buddies provide leadership and guidance to 7^th and 8^th grade students who are in our Confirmation program. Buddies assist adult guides in leading discussions, work on service projects, and participate in fellowship groups with the younger kids in Confirmation. Buddies usually meet two or three times a month with their groups.

 

These groups form around a topic and usually meet from four to six weeks at a time. Contemporary study groups are based on current affairs and/or television shows (one example: “The Simpsons”). Seasonal study groups focus on the seasons of the church year (examples: Advent and Lent).

 

PlmYOUTH Fellowship meets for planned activities at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings in the Youth Room.

 

PlmYOUTH fundraising means more than raising funds. It’s a way to have a lot of fun. Whether it’s a car wash, the Variety Show, a garage sale, or Leaf Rake…it’s all good.

 

Our youth take at least one mission trip every summer, when high school students leave Des Moines and grow in faith by working with and for other people. Sometimes our trip is within the United States, such as our mission trips to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and New York City. Sometimes we venture outside our own country, such as trips to Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa, Mexico.

 

Every now and then, we go out to the movies or stay in and rent one. Either way, there’s a show, some food and a theological discussion about the movie afterward.

 

Red robes in 9:00 a.m. Sunday worship make Matins Choir the most visible opportunity for youth involvement. But it doesn’t end there. High school students provide music leadership in the Confirmation program, play instruments in Sunday morning worship and add to the Saturday night worship band.

 

The year starts with an opening retreat and usually includes a mid-winter break. It’s a time to get away from everyday things and spend some time having fun, some time in prayer and worship and some time getting to know more about yourself and each other.

 

Located on the third floor of the Education Wing, the Youth Room is a treetop-level place to hang out, play games like foosball, Yahtzee and cards, make a pizza, watch some videos or do some homework.

 

Plymouth youth have many opportunities to become involved in service to others. Past examples include working at the youth shelter, serving food to people at the homeless shelter for adults, mentoring, doing clean-up projects and participating in Project Memories, which provides Christmas gifts for children in need.

 

It’s just what it says—a chance to go skiing together.

 

Youth always are welcome and encouraged to attend activities of our denomination, the United Church of Christ. This includes the Iowa Conference spring and fall retreats, as well as the Regional Youth Event and the National Youth Event.

 

Youth and adults work together to plan and implement a range of programs for high school students at Plymouth. It requires dedication, leadership and vision. It can be a lot of work, but it is always a lot of fun.