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Youth & Young Adult Resource Roundup, APR 2024

Posted on by James Deaton
Logo for youth resources
~ logo created by Mark Doyal/Michigan Conference Communications

This spring issue summarizes upcoming events, scholarships, and resources for youth and young adults that churches can promote in their publications.

Do you have questions about any of these resources or need further information? Contact Rev. Elizabeth Hurd, chair of the Board of Young People’s Ministries, at [email protected] or Lisa Batten, Connectional Ministries Team staff member, at [email protected]. They would be glad to help you.

Events and Experiences

Member of a United Methodist general agency or board

    • What and where? The United Methodist Church’s boards and agencies need young people’s voices so the church can advocate for the needs of new generations coming into adulthood. The boards and agencies seek youth and young adults interested in being added to a “free agent” pool of young people willing to serve the denomination in a new way.
    • Who? Youth and young adults, 12-30. Must be an active member of a local United Methodist church. Other requirements are found on this page.
    • When? If chosen, youth and young adults would serve in a volunteer capacity for the next four years, attending board or agency meetings and traveling some throughout the year.
    • More info? Interested youth and young adults should complete this contact form by April 15, 2024. Completing this form does not guarantee selection. Click this link for more information.

Connexion young adult summer intern program

    • What and where? This brand-new offering from the Michigan Conference gives young adults a relevant ministry experience learning and serving in a local United Methodist congregation, nonprofit, or campus ministry. It’s an excellent opportunity for intergenerational ministry as a church lifts up the gifts of young people in their congregation. Weekly small peer group meetings will give them connection as they discern their call as laity, deacon, elder, or another form of professional ministry.
    • Who? Post-high school young adults, 18-27.
    • When? 8 weeks in the summer, with a three-day leadership development training in late May. Intern applications for this summer are due May 1, 2024.
    • More info? Young adults interested in being an intern can apply by completing this form.

Circuit Ride 2024 charity bike ride

    • What and where? Circuit Ride 2024 is a charity bike ride at multiple locations around the state, supporting the young people of our United Methodist campus ministries. Find a local ride on this web page or host one yourself. Supporters are invited to join the team of their favorite campus ministry in a friendly challenge to see who can raise the most money. Following the ride, that campus ministry will receive 100% of donations made to it. The Circuit Ride name is borrowed from our Methodist founders, who rode everywhere to share the good news.
    • Who? People of all ages and abilities are welcome, plus all bikes, scooters, roller skates, or other creative modes of movement. Families are encouraged to participate together.
    • When? Throughout May, at different times. Join friends of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan on May 11 for a scenic ride from Bandemore Park and back. Ride with Motor City Wesley along the Detroit Greenway on May 18.
    • More info? Click this link to RSVP for a ride, host your own ride, and donate or fundraise for your team. You can also let others know you’re going by responding to the Facebook event.

Discover … Mission journey to Peru

    • What and where? A Discover … Mission journey, led by Jody Pratt from the Michigan Conference and Steve Blake from the Wisconsin Conference, is planned for Lima, Peru. Young adults will experience project work with Peruvian youth and young adults, grow leadership skills, and develop cross-cultural relationships. Discover … Mission is the young adult short-term mission program of United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM), a grassroots movement of United Methodists seeking to put their Christian love into action worldwide. Click this link to learn about other upcoming Discover … Mission journeys worldwide.
    • Who? Young adults, 18-35.
    • When? From December 28, 2024, to January 9, 2025. Deadline for applications and deposits is August 15, 2024.
    • More info? Click this link for more information, including estimated costs and other important dates. Register by contacting Jody Pratt at [email protected] or 616-292-4908. Scholarships from the Michigan Conference are available for young adults from a Michigan United Methodist congregation going on a Discover … Mission journey for the first time. Click this link for scholarship criteria. UMVIM scholarships are also available, including the Rollins Scholarship, which is specifically for young adults of color. Click this link to learn more.

Summer camping options at our United Methodist camps

Scholarships and Grants

    • United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) awards $2+ million yearly to students attending United Methodist-related schools. Applications are open through April 15, 2024. Click this link to learn more.
    • Metropolitan UMC in Detroit offers Centennial Scholarships to help full-time students attend college, university, or graduate school. The scholarship amount varies yearly, but recent recipients received $2,000 each. All students who are active members of a United Methodist church are eligible to apply. Students can reapply each year if they continue a full-time schedule. Deadline for applications is May 3, 2024. Click this link to learn more.
    • United Women in Faith is accepting applications for the Theressa Hoover Community Service and Global Citizenship Award. The grant is awarded to a laywoman aged 21-35 who wishes to travel to explore and study in a country or region other than the applicant’s own. Priority will be given to projects that explore climate or racial justice. The deadline for applications is July 9, 2024. Click this link to learn more.
    • The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan annually supports several scholarship programs for college, university, and seminary students. Click this link to learn more.

Resources for Congregations

Visit this web page for an updated list of articles, books, and other resources related to youth and young adult ministry, especially outreach to Gen Z.

Grants for ministry with young people

    • The United Methodist Youth Service Fund and Grants for Ministries with Young People programs are accepting applications until April 15, 2024. Funding for selected projects would occur in 2025. Several grants are available to support creative and innovative approaches to ministries for, with, and by young people. Click this link to learn more.

CRAFT: The Future of Youth Ministry conference

    • The 2024 Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry will be held from April 30 to May 3, 2024, on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey. Join other leaders for 3.5 days of worship, workshops, and small groups in an effort to provide space for productive conversations that give voice to our collective hopes, dreams, and ideas for the future of youth ministry. Click this link to learn more and register. Register by April 26, 2024. Travel scholarships are available from the Michigan Conference Board of Young People’s Ministries. Contact Rev. Elizabeth Hurd, chair of the Board of Young People’s Ministries, at [email protected] or Lisa Batten, Connectional Ministries Team staff member, at [email protected] for scholarship details.

Connexion ministry site

    • Churches wanting to host a young adult summer intern through the Michigan Conference’s new Connexion program should identify a young person in their congregation who has the gifts and graces for ministry and then complete this application. Site applications are for summer 2025 (summer 2024 is closed). Young adults interested in being an intern can apply by completing this form. Intern applications for summer 2024 are due May 1, 2024.

Last Updated on April 18, 2024

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The Michigan Conference