Children’s Ministry

Natalie Adkinson, Director | nadkinson@germantownumc.org

Callie Beaver, Assoc. Director, Elem. | cbeaver@germantownumc.org

Janelle Crist, Assoc. Director, Nursery | jcrist@germantownumc.org

Mission and Movie Monday

June 19 10:00 am- 2:00 pm

Get out of the hot summer heat and join some friends for crafts, lesson, lunch, and a movie. Children have an incredible heart for missions but no way to generate income to financially support them. At MMM, we will learn about a different local, national, or international mission. We then create some high-quality crafts and then sacrificially donate them to be sold in the fall to generate money for a chosen mission. After our hard work, we will enjoy a pizza lunch and flop in the bean-bag chairs for a movie and treat. This is a great way to learn, give, and have fun – out of the summer heat! Cost is $5/child. Please register and pay online (or scan the QR code below from a mobile device.) Our nursery will be open for preschool-age siblings of elementary children who are attending MMM.

Lakeshore Camp

July 23-39, 2023

June 21 2:00 – 4:00 pm

If you are looking for some great fun, summer dodgeball/ gaga ball is for you! Join us at the OLEC to play some dodgeball, gaga ball, basketball, and eat popsicles. This event is free of charge and friends are welcome. Kids entering grades 3-6 only, please. Register online (or scan QR code from a mobile device.)

We are taking a crew from GUMC to Lakeshore for this week of fun and fellowship. This designated week is for elementary (ages 8-12) and middle school (ages 12-14) students. Many of our youth will be serving as camp counselors. If you are interested in attending this week, please register through Lakeshore’s Website (https://lakeshorecamp.org/) and then drop an email to Callie Beaver or Natalie Adkinson. We will try to help coordinate carpooling and answer any questions you may have about sleep-away camp.

Lakeshore has an abundance of opportunities for all campers; there are a variety of camps offered all summer long! There are camps for people with special needs, as well as camps for people who have suffered traumatic experiences. There is a camp for people who love to fish, a camp for people who love aquatics, a camp for the arts, and a camp for those who love living in the wilderness. There is even a camp for people who love board games! There is a camp for everyone, so go to their website and take a peek.

Chloe Granberry, Director of Youth Ministries | cgranberry@germantownumc.org

6th Grade Confirmation Sunday - GUMC welcomes our newest members!

This April, we had twenty-two 6th grade Confirmands join our church. Of these Confirmands, three were also baptized. Our youth director, Chloe Granberry, also joined the church with these Confirmands!

These students have worked very hard to grow in their understanding of their faith. Every Sunday morning, they met to discuss the teachings of John Wesley, the Methodist church, and the Old and New Testament. They have also been extremely involved in our Wednesday night middle school discussion group as well as our Sunday night Element youth group.

As a final culmination of all of these lessons, the students met for a weekend-long retreat. On Friday night, we visited Temple Israel to learn more about the Jewish faith and worship practices. We spent Saturday at GUMC to prepare the students for the process of Confirmation, and Reverend Tim also gave a lesson on the importance of the Sacrament of Baptism and Confirmation. Finally, on Sunday we visited Immaculate Conception to partake in Catholic Mass. With a greater understanding of their place in the church, these youth finally joined the church on Sunday, April 2nd. We look forward to continuing the faith journeys of these new members of our church!

Holy Week Activities

Easter is always a busy time in the church. During Holy Week, our youth helped lead the Holy Thursday service by reading scripture and participating in the Stripping of the Altar. Our youth also volunteered at the annual GUMC Easter Egg Hunt. They scattered the eggs, and assisted with various activities to include face painting, petting zoo, train ride, and Easter Bunny photos. Finally, our youth led the Easter Sunrise Service, which is held at McVay Gardens at 6:30 AM. Samantha Coblentz gave an impactful sermon on the struggles she’s faced and the hope that the church has given her. It was truly a beautiful morning to celebrate our risen Savior!