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
 
March 23
Echo the Story – Large Group Discussion (Faith Formation and Belonging).
We will gather at St. Paul’s UMC and discuss one story from the curriculum we are using for Sunday School. Before and after the lesson, we will also have fun with
optional games in the Gym and Loft. Time: 4:00–5:30 PM.
 
March 30
A hike/walk to Sabino Canyon is being confirmed (after confirmation class).
It will be led by Phillip Bentley, a volunteer and local expert guide. More details soon.
 
April 6
Lenten reflection & prayer night
As we get closer to Easter, youth will gather for prayer and reflection on
Jesus’ journey to the cross. We will think about what Holy Week means for us
today through scripture, discussion, and a simple activity.
 
April 13
We will be attending St Marks UMC event called “CLUE IRL,” which is a live-action mystery game where youth work together to solve a whodunit challenge, uncovering who did it,
where, and with what—bringing the classic Clue board game to life.
We will meet at 1:15 pm to leave together. The event starts at 2 pm there. 
 
April 20
We invite youth from all three churches to join the Desert Skies praise band for the April 20th Easter Sunday service at 9:00 a.m. (with rehearsals on April 12th and 19th at 2:30 p.m.).
If your teenager may be interested, please reach out for more information! 
 
April 18th (Good Friday)
Potential Service Project, working on plans and confirmations with Gospel Rescue Mission.
We have volunteer credentials already.
 
April 27th
Pool gathering at Highland Vista Park from 4-6 PM for youth to swim, relax,
and have fun together. A Christ Church member has invited us to use
this community pool with a volleyball court for extra activities.
 
 
Other upcoming events to keep on your radar: 
Camping 101 (24 hours) at the end of May and a 
Mission trip in June (3-4 days) in Flagstaff, AZ.  
More details to come
 
 
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 Classes (roster closed, update only):

 
Session 3 (March 30, 2025): What is a Christian? Faith and Identity.
Session 4 (April 27, 2025): Live Your Commitment – The Vows of Membership.
Confirmation Sunday: May 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