This winter issue summarizes events, scholarships, and resources for youth and young adults and their leaders 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
Young Adult Discernment Cohort
What? This monthly cohort of young adults will learn about and practice tools to help them seek clarity about the next faithful steps in life. This cohort practices community belonging, being present with one another, individual and group reflection, and engaging the imagination.
Who? Post-high school young adults, ages 18-29.
When and where? The next meeting is December 17, 2024, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm Eastern, and every third Tuesday (January, February, March, April, and a retreat opportunity in May 2025).
More info? Contact Lisa Batten at [email protected] for the Zoom link.
Seed to Harvest Ministry Incubation Cohort
What? A monthly cohort for individuals or small teams launching a new (or adapting an existing) ministry, program, or event. The cohort will focus on working on creating an effective database, fund development, marketing, systems for success, time management, and launching. Grant funding will be available to cohort members for launching their new or adapted project.
Who? Adults over 18.
When and where? The cohort will meet monthly from January through May 2025.
More info? To join, contact Lisa Batten at [email protected].
Abrahamic Program for Young Adults
What? Chautauqua’s Abrahamic Program for Young Adults (APYA) provides unique opportunities for interfaith dialogue and service to early-career adults interested in pursuing vocations in ministry, chaplaincy, or interfaith work more broadly.
Who? Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree and be at least 21.
When and where? A cohort of coordinators who identify as either Jewish, Christian, or Muslim will attend and help lead various worship services, facilitate interfaith conversations, and provide religious education to the Chautauqua community in New York during their Summer Assembly from June 17 to August 17, 2025. Click this link to learn more and register. Registration deadline is January 13, 2025.
Mission and Service Opportunities
These are listed in order of length of service, from short-term to long-term opportunities.
Youth Mission Journey to Wisconsin
What and where? Michigan youth are invited to join other United Methodist youth from the North Central Jurisdiction in Milwaukee, WI, next summer for an immersion experience. This is sponsored by United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM).
Who? Youth entering sixth grade to graduating seniors and their adult chaperones.
When? June 22-28, 2025.
More info? Read this MIconnect article to hear about a group from Saginaw: First UMC who went on a similar journey last year. Click this link to learn more about the 2025 journey to Wisconsin. Email Tammy Kuntz at [email protected] to inquire further.
Discover … Mission Journeys
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. The program is for young adults, ages 18-35. Click this link to learn about upcoming Discover … Mission journeys worldwide.
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.
EarthKeepers
Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training and incubator program that provides a collaborative space for United Methodists to develop and grow environmental projects in their communities. Topics include eco-theology, antiracism, community organizing, and project planning. All participants plan a project during the training. Youth, ages 13-18, may participate with an adult parent or guardian. Click this link to learn more about this program and the application process.
International Track for Global Mission Fellows
The Global Mission Fellows program of The United Methodist Church places young adults, ages 20-30, in social justice ministries for two years of service in international settings (the US-2 track for domestic settings has been paused at this time). Fellows address deep-rooted systems of injustice, working in a variety of areas, including food insecurity, migration / immigration, education, and poverty. The deadline to register to become a Global Mission Fellow is January 15, 2025. Click this link to learn more and register.
Got questions? A live informational session via Zoom will be held on December 19, 2024, at 8 am Eastern. Learn what a Global Mission Fellow does and ask questions. Click this link to register.
Mission Volunteers
Mission Volunteers are individuals or couples, ages 18 and up, who seek long-term partnerships with communities worldwide and fund themselves. Mission Volunteer opportunities range from working with refugees, children, and youth to serving as a teacher, pastor, camp director, or health care professional. The length of service ranges from two months to more than two years. The next training for Mission Volunteers is March 10-13, 2025, in Toano, Virginia. Click this link to learn more about this program and the application process.
Scholarships and Grants
United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) awards $2+ million yearly to students attending UM-related schools. Applications open January 1, 2025, and close April 1. Click this link to learn more.
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. Applications open January 6, 2025, and close March 31. Click this link to learn more.
The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan supports several scholarship programs for college, university, and seminary students. Click this link to learn more.
Events and Resources for Faith Leaders
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. Also, remember to support our United Methodist campus ministries throughout Michigan. Learn more about each one on this website.
Discernment Lab
What? This is a cohort for those leading ministry with young adults. The cohort meets to explore and practice tools for walking alongside young adults as they discern their next faithful step in life, vocation, and ministry.
Who? This event is for those who work with young people, want to work with young people, and love young people.
When and where? Meets bi-monthly via Zoom on the second Wednesday of the month. The next meeting is Wednesday, January 8, 2025, from 4 to 5:30 pm Eastern.
More info? Contact Lisa Batten at [email protected] for the Zoom link.
Perkins School of Youth and Children’s Ministry
What? Perkins School of Youth and Children’s Ministry is holding its annual conference for faith formation ministry. Since 1987, the school has coordinated training programs exclusively designed for leaders whose ministries focus on children, youth, and young adults.
Who? New and veteran ministry leaders are invited to learn and grow together. Participants will be empowered to share their experiences, contexts, successes, and failures.
When and where? January 6-8, 2025, at First UMC in Richardson, Texas.
More info? Click this link to learn more and register.
Crash Courses: Recruiting & Keeping Volunteers
What? Do you need help finding and retaining the right volunteers for your ministry? Discipleship Ministries offers this on-demand online course to teach you what works (and doesn’t) when building a strong, committed volunteer team. Say goodbye to the frustrations of high turnover and volunteer burnout. We’ll provide practical, easy-to-implement tools to keep your volunteers engaged, motivated, and ready to serve.
Who? Youth and young adult ministry leaders.
When and where? On-demand at your convenience. Registration for this course will end on February 28, 2025. The course content will be archived on March 31, 2025.
More info? Registration is $10. Click this link to learn more and register.
Last Updated on December 16, 2024