YOUTH MINISTRY

Idlewild’s Youth Ministry is fun. Our young folks strive to make all feel at home in our open-minded and welcoming community. We are anchored in our Christ-centered faith as we encourage questions and doubts in a relatable way. We trust that God accepts us wherever we are on our faith journeys as we explore together what it looks like to reflect our Creator’s love and justice in our world.

Mission: Idlewild Presbyterian Church’s ministry with youth and their families invites, includes, and celebrates all who are seeking an open-minded community, so that, through the Spirit, they grow to trust that they belong and are created in the image of God, inspiring them to reflect God’s unconditional love and justice in Jesus Christ.

Open-Minded

We are open to and respect varying interpretations of scripture as well as other faith traditions and world views; we encourage open discussion.

Christ-Centered

We anchor our worship, practices, and service in Christ, God’s eternal Word, whom we have come to know through scripture in the person, values, and way of Jesus.

Relatable

We meet youth where they are, engaging them around their interests and activities, seeking to make the Gospel evident in their daily lives.

Welcoming

We embrace a spirit of hospitality, gladly inviting and receiving all youth within and outside IPC.

Grace Based Freedom

We trust that God accepts us, enabling us to choose the way of Christ’s justice and love with a sense of freedom and joy rather than pressure or coercion.

Embraces Questions & Doubts

We embrace a spirit of openness, welcoming questions and doubts as we critically, playfully, and prayerfully tend to Christian formation.

Summer Youth Meetups

12 - 2 pm | Jones Building Room 323

Meet up at the church to have lunch, catch up, play games, and spend some time together with our youth & children’s ministry summer intern, Jonny Sundermeier! Middle Schoolers will meet on June 18, July 9, and July 30. High Schoolers will meet on June 25 and July 23.

Youth Group & Sunday School

During the School year, we meet together Sunday mornings and evenings. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the know! 

Sunday School

Sundays | 9:40-10:40 AM

6th-8th graders meet together in Room 306 to play games, work on service projects, and examine a scripture of the week. 9th-12th graders can join the Middle School class in room 306, volunteer with Children’s Sunday School, or head to Room 321 for a coffee and hang out with Jeanene.

Youth Group

Sundays | 6:00 - 7:30 PM Youth House (28 S Evergreen)

Sunday nights are for the Youth Group.  We start off with dinner from 6:00- 6:30 PM.  From 6:30-7:30, our middle and high schoolers break into groups to play games, do activities, check in with each other and have group conversations around faith and practice.  Sometimes we jump in the church van for an off-campus trip for fun or community service. 

Upcoming Trips

Domestic Partnership Trip: June 9-15

Get excited for this summer’s partnership trip with Appalachia Service Project!

Each summer, ASP serves 20-30 communities across Central Appalachia. ASP typically leases schools, churches, or community centers to serve as summer centers, where we will stay during our trip. We’ll work together as a work team on a home repair mission trip that combines direct service to a family, cultural immersion into the region, and transformational youth experiences.

Montreat Youth Conference: July 14-20

Come spend some time in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina for a gathering of youth from around the country. 

Confirmation

Youth beginning in 8th grade are eligible for Confirmation at Idlewild, and we offer this faith journey class every other year.

Maybe you have inherited a faith tradition from your family, or are exploring your own journey, or maybe you’ve never even thought about what you believe. Wherever you find yourself- You are invited to sign up for confirmation this year.

Please email Jeanene if you would like to hear more.

Youth Service Opportunities

Children’s Sunday School: Be a host for large group gatherings. Lead in energizers, dance, songs, skits, and memory verses.  

Worship & Wonder: Be a helper for our worship service for littles ages 3-5.  

Nursery: Hold some babies and show some love during worship or Sunday school.  

Serve Up a Party: Help lead monthly Friday Night Kid Parties at the church while parents go out for fellowship or stay in for a time of formation at the church.  

More volunteer opportunities can be found on the Outreach page. 

Jeanene Mutchler

Jeanene is the Director of Children & Youth Ministries. She, and her incredible committee, work to create thoughtful activities, trips, and conversations while building community. If you have any questions about this ministry, contact Jeanene!