Youth Ministries
 
Belong, Believe, Serve: Youth Ministry
We are excited to welcome all students back to our youth ministry!
We can’t wait to reconnect, make new friends, and build a supportive community
where everyone feels they truly belong.
 
Sundays from 4:00-5:30 pm at St. Paul’s UMC. 
Who: 6th-12th grade welcome.
 
 
 
Upcoming Events
 
April 30 (on Wednesday)
Our second family gathering (informal) for youth, parents, and volunteers will occur on Wednesday, April 30, at 6:00 PM at Desert Skies UMC (Pickleball and bonfire area).  
 
May 4: Outing
We are going to Jumping Cholla Trampoline Park for a fun afternoon of
jumping, dodgeball, basketball, and ninja-style challenges.
It will be a great time to play, laugh, and enjoy time together as a group! 
 
May 11: Echo the Story Large Group Discussion
Youth will explore Bible stories through creative reflection and group discussions.
 
May 18: Service Project
Visiting Fellowship Square (Adopt a Grandparent)
 
May 25: End-of-year Cooking Party at Desert Skies
To celebrate the end of the school year, we will gather for a fun evening of cooking,
sharing food, playing optional games, and enjoying time together
 
May 30–June 1: Camping 101 (Tent) at Mt. Lemmon – Rose Canyon
We plan a 24-hour camping experience with two options:
Friday night (May 30) or Saturday night (May 31).
We have reserved two campsites, with space for up to 8 people each
—so the total capacity is 16 people per night.
 
 
Other upcoming events to keep on your radar: 
Mission Trip 
4 days (including driving there and back) in June in Flagstaff, AZ. 
Tentative dates: June 19-22 or 26-29. 
More details will come soon, along with a registration form. 
If you and your teenager do not have summer traveling plans yet, 
this would be a great opportunity/experience. 
 
 
Sunday School Curriculum
The curriculum we got is called Echo 36: The Story. The sessions will be taught in Sunday School and once a month during the youth group gatherings for better discussions. Also, at Desert Skies, it is being discussed (Pastor Brooke, Fred, Connie, and other leaders) that we have Sunday School twice a month, either during worship or at a different time. At St. Paul’s, we will have Sunday School during the 9:30 service.
 
Parents, encourage your teenagers to join us for Sunday School! We have great material, and each student will have their sketch journal. At Christ Church, we are still looking for volunteers, but Luis is planning to lead Sunday School there once a month.
 
Would you like to participate in Sunday School classes as a parent, guardian, or grandparent? Perspective and expertise are critical. You are needed—our youth need your wisdom and teaching skills! The commitment is just once every six weeks.
 
 
 
 
Other Youth Events
 
We’re excited to offer a Confirmation Class for youth in grades 8-12, starting in January 2025! This will include 3-4 retreats on select Saturdays from January through May,

where we’ll cover essential topics such as: 

  • The Bible and our roots
  • What it means to be a Christian
  • United Methodist history and values
  • Committing to faith
  • Understanding prayer and worship
  • Jesus’ teachings
  • The role of the church in the community
  • Living out faith in everyday life
 
Confirmation Sunday: May 11 and 18, 2025
Youth will be confirmed at their home church
 
 
 Contact Information/Questions

If you’d like to receive short text notifications and reminders about youth events in addition to emails, please register for our class on Remind by clicking this link:
 
We always encourage parents and grandparents to
invite their teenagers to attend these events
and be part of the Shared Youth Ministry—
a space where students can belong, believe, and serve.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me, Luis Ortiz,
at youthdirector@tucsonumcyouth.com or (815) 202-2000
 

Are you ready to reconnect? 
For more information on any of these programs
please call the church office at (520) 327-1116
or email youth@ccumtucson.org