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.

Sunday School

Sundays | 9:40-10:40 AM
High School Room

Each Sunday before worship begins, high school and middle school students break into groups to eat donuts, pray, and have a discussion around current events and through a lens of faith. 

First Sunday Breakfast

On the first Sunday of each month, we put down the curriculum and pick up a frying pan to make breakfast together in the kitchen on the second floor of the Jones building. 

Youth Group

Sundays | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Begin in montgomery hall and end in 325E

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. 

Trips

Nacome: October 7-9

Our youth are invited along with their families, to Idlewild’s family camp, NaCoMe for fall break Oct 7-9.

PINECREst youth Connection (pyc): february 24-25

We’ll head to Pinecrest to join with other Presbyterian youth from across the mid-south for a time of connection and fellowship.

International Partnership Trip: June 11-17

In June, the Youth are heading to the Council of Protestant Churches in Nicaragua (CEPAD). Learn more about CEPAD and details about the trip here.

Montreat Youth Conference: July 16-23

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

Confirmation

January 8 - April 23
After worship: Family lunch with class to follow

Join this year’s confirmation class as we explore our faith together.  Confirmation is suggested for 8th graders and is open to grades 8-11th. Dates to keep in mind:

Confirmation Class: Sundays, 12:15-2:00PM 
Confirmation Retreat: April 15th
Session to Hear Faith Statements: April 19th 
Confirmation Sunday: April 23rd

Service Opportunities for Youth

Sundays

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.  

Slides: Help with tech and assist in producing worship in the sound booth.  

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.  

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!