Aldersgate United Methodist Church has a Youth Ministry Team, which has four non-staff adult leaders nominated by the lay leadership committee and approved by Parish Council, and four youth members elected by the youth group.

The adult leaders for 2009 are Cindy Acree (chair, member of Parish Council), Laura Batson (vice-chair), Genie James (secretary) and Tom Franko (treasurer).

Youth Member Officers include Rebecca Gonzales (President), Hannah James (Vice President), Megan Lon (Jr. High rep 1), and Coby Anderson (Jr. High rep 2)

Activate — Activate is the name for our youth program. It is not only the name of the youth group, but also the goal… to activate ourselves and others in service to God. The youth of Aldersgate are active in the community, doing local mission work and community outreach, as well as traveling as far as Arizona and New Mexico to serve the Native American communities there. Activate maintains a busy calendar of fellowship, service and worship activities throughout the year by attending numerous youth conferences, seminars, concerts, summer and winter camps, weekend retreats and youth rallies. Activate supports the mission and activities of Aldersgate UMC by participating in congregational events and by leading worship every 5^th Sunday (known as Youth Sunday). Check out our calendar here. We are excited about being active in the name of God and we encourage you to become activated too!!!

Worship Services — Not only do the youth members (those in grades 7-12) attend worship services, but on every fifth Sunday, they lead the service for the congregation. Youth read the scriptures, lead the prayers, usher, greet, provide the children's sermon, the music, as well as preach the sermon.

Education — On Sunday mornings, we meet for Sunday School in the Youth Building and again on Wednesday nights for Bible Study. Also, we enjoy short-term studies designed for specific topics.

Activities — We plan activities that enrich our relationship with God and with each other. They range from traditional outings such as bowling, rock climbing, and ice skating to weekend retreats at the beach, lock-ins, and shared events with local churches, along with United Methodist district and conference events. Also, the youth take an active role in the community by sponsoring a youth rally, volunteering at the HIS Ministry Food Pantry and Resale Shop, and helping at local charity events. They join with others from the church on local mission projects throughout the year, helping with yard work and minor house repairs.

UMARMY — Every summer, a group of high school age youth and adult sponsors leave home to experience a week of working with UMARMY (United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth). Teams come together in a community to help those unable to help themselves. They provide home repair and maintenance, friendship and fellowship, and leave lasting impressions. Since 1996, Aldersgate UMC has sponsored a team and plans to continue.

Fundraisers — Youth activities are supported by youth-raised funds and from generous donations. During the year, the youth sponsor a car wash, sandwich sale, and dinner to raise money used for van rentals, supplies, and paying for retreat and camp registration costs for sponsors and students. The youth tithe 10% of all money earned, giving this money to the church's general fund.

Youth Ministry Team/Youth Council — Teams of youth members and adults work together with the youth director to plan youth ministry activities. Parental involvement is encouraged and parent meetings are held regularly to communicate and coordinate the information.

For all those over the age of 12^th grade, here's how you can Get Involved! — On a regular basis, we need adults to volunteer on Sunday afternoon, serve as sponsors on weekend retreats, to be chaperones for activities at and away from the church, to help teach classes, for transportation to and from activities, to be food providers for the times we meet, and most importantly, non-ceasing prayers for our safety, spiritual enrichment, and continual growth in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

There is a planned Youth/Church-Wide Ski Trip to Sunlight Mountain, Colorado for December 27, 2009 through January 1, 2010. Fundraisers are planned each month between now and November 30 to help defray costs.

For further information, please contact Cindy Acree at 713-254-5834 or via email Cindy (work) or Cindy (home)