YOUTH MINISTRY
BJUMC YOUTH GROUP
The youth ministry at Bishop Janes UMC provides a space for youth in grades 6-12 to experience community within the church. Our program seeks to give youth the opportunity to experience social, spiritual, and service activities throughout the year. In a world where there is so much pressure on youth, we provide a space for them to learn and grow into their identity as beloved children of God. All youth in our community are welcome to attend, you do not need to be a member of this church, or any church, to participate in youth group. We do ask all participants to abide by our behavioral expectations, to ensure a healthy, nurturing, open, judgment free, bully free, environment that will allow all students to grow in their own identity with Christ.
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP (Grades 6-8): We welcome any middle schoolers to join us for youth group Sunday evenings at 4:30 PM. Youth group generally consists of a period of fun and games, a lesson, and prayer. A fellowship meal with our Senior High School Youth Group is after the structured time from 6:00-6:30, and pick up at 6:30. Lessons are designed to be life-centric, focusing on the biblical approach to current life situations of our youth. We will have the occasional guest speaker throughout the year to address particular issues that are particularly important to the development of our youth.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP (Grades 9-12): We Welcome any High Schoolers to join us to youth group at 6:00 PM. Senior High Youth Group begins with a fellowship meal, along with our Middle School Students, a time to connect with one another and with the youth counsellors on an informal basis. Structured time begins at 6:30 with a series of games and recreation, followed by a lesson and prayer time. Lessons are designed to be life-centric, focusing on the biblical approach to the current life situations of our youth. We will have guest speakers from time to time to address particular issues that are important to the development of our youth.
SPECIAL YOUTH EVENTS:
IGNITE YOUTH CONFERENCE: October 4-6, 2019
THANKSGIVING EVENT: November 24, Combined youth group
GUEST SPEAKER: Ryan Clements, GNJ Next Generation Camping Ministry, December 8
CHRISTMAS CAROLING AND END OF YEAR PARTY: December 15, 5pm
Congratulations to all the Ridge High School graduating seniors — but a special congratulations goes to Melissa Johnson, Stanley Chou, and Gagan Singh. All three of them have been hardworking, dedicated members of Ridge Against Alcohol & Drugs (RAAD) for the past 4 years. All three have achieved the role of Youth Advisory Council member at the Lindsey Meyer Teen Institute and served as role models for students all over New Jersey. Under their leadership RAAD received the Motivation Award and the Knowledge Award twice! All three were also very involved with helping create the annual "Empowerment Day" at William Annin Middle School (with Melissa naming "Empowerment Day"!).
Melissa is also our first ever RAAD Secretary and spent the past year organizing and keeping the group in tip top shape. Stanley served this year as co-President. All three members were integral in RAAD’s mission this year to increase knowledge of vaping devices and to destigmatize mental health. Melissa led the mental health initiative working closely with the RHS Guidance Department and by helping to implement an important video on mental health into school curriculum. Gagan and Stanley helped create the program “The Nicoteen Generation” and presented vaping information to a group of parents back in April.
We also would like to take a moment to acknowledge Kyra O’Dwyer who would have been a member of the class of 2019. Kyra passed away in 2016 but still remains a vibrant memory in the hearts of all RAAD members.
It’s not “good bye” it’s “see you soon!” to all of our graduating seniors. Good luck to wherever life takes you and remember we’ll be here for you if you ever need it!