YAA (Youth At Aley)
At Aley UMC our students (grades 6-12) are important to us! We encourage them to discover and develop their faith and understanding of the Bible on a personal and communal level. At Aley we understand that not everyone will agree on everything, and that's OK! We encourage youth to develop and take hold of their faith as their own. Our mission in YAA is to develop a community of sacred, authentic, and shared, love value and belonging.
Weekly Gatherings
During the school year, we gather Wednesday night from 6:00-7:30, youth gather to have fun while deepening relationship with God and each other (during the summer we meet every other Wednesday, click here for a schedule). A typical youth group gathering includes snacks, games, lesson, and application. We focus a lot on serving and justice within our communities. It is a great time to be with other youth in a positive and encouraging environment. We meet in the upstairs youth area across from the sanctuary (enter door 2 on Wednesday's).
We also gather for YAA on Sunday mornings, 9:40-10:20am in the youth area across from the sanctuary (enter from the narthex). We gather to look a little deeper dive into Scripture through themes that connect to what the kids and parent classes are learning about too!
Special Events
Click here for a calendar of events for YAA Summer 2025
We like to spend time together having lots of fun! We've gone bowling, had campfires, tried our hand at Escape Rooms, packed hygiene kits, gone to Young's Dairy, watched movies, and enjoyed several other fun group activities! We believe that it's important to have some fun while surrounded with good friends.
Summer Camp
REGISTRATION CLOSED: July 14-19, 2025
We have two campers and two adults who will be attending Tar Hollow Summer Camp July 14-19. One of the highlights of camp is getting encouraging mail from home! Unfortunately, there is a lot of major construction happening at the park this year, so timely mail might be more of an issue. Rather than mailing, please get cards to Pastor Abby by noon July 13 and she’ll be sure they get delivered throughout the week. Another option to send notes is to use this link during the week of camp (your note will be printed out and delivered while at camp). If you’ve got a few moments, please take some time to send some love to camp!
Students:
Harper Hays
Ian McKibben
Radha Starr
Staff:
Jennifer Klontz (Counselor)
Pastor Abby (Clergy & Instructor)
For more information about Tar Hollow, click here.
Youth Serving in Kids' Ministry
Youth serving in Kids' ministry is awesome to see and we're grateful for every youth that signs up to help serve the kids of Aley UMC! To allow opportunity for all youth to serve, please only sign up for one nursery and/or one kids' church spot per month. If we are in need of additional serving, Susan or Pastor Abby will reach out to see if you're available for additional week(s). Please make every effort to be here on the weeks you sign up for; we're counting on you! If something comes up and you're not able to make it, please let Susan and/or Pastor Abby know as soon as possible so we can find other coverage. Youth servants will need to be safe sanctuary trained as well.
Click here to sign up (This sign up is only for youth who are signing up to serve, adults should contact Susan Grinkemeyer)
