Glenn Youth

Glenn Youth is a community of 6th-12th graders who support and grow with one another in their personal and spiritual lives. We strive to make all youth feel welcomed, valued, and respected, and to provide a safe, nurturing church home that allows them to grow closer to God and one another. Our youth are encouraged to ask questions, take risks, and have fun as they forge their identities and relationships with one another.

We meet regularly on Sunday nights from 6:00-8:00, as well as select afternoons and evenings during the week.

For more information about Glenn Youth and how you can get involved, email our Youth Director, Ben Ladner, at bladner@glennumc.org.

We use the following communications to stay connected:

      • View and/or subscribe to the weekly “Youth at Glenn” E-Newsletter.

      • Follow us on Instagram - @GlennYouth!

      • Reach out to Ben Ladner for questions and to be added to the Youth or Youth Parents GroupMe text chats.

Upcoming Events

High School Bible Study

May 14, 6-7:30pm | Parlor

All high schoolers are invited to join us for an evening of diving into the Word together. Contact Ben Ladner with questions.

Graduate Recognition

Sunday, May 17, 8:30 & 11am Worship Services

Join us for worship as we recognize graduates at all levels (from preschool to PhD programs!).

Bite Nite

Friday, May 29 | YAAB

All high school youth are invited to join us for a night of scavenger hunting in Atlanta followed by a lock-in at the YAAB. Contact Ben Ladner with questions.

Family Vacation Bible School & Youth Intown Mission Week

June 1st-5th, 1:00pm-4:00pm | Nonprofits around Atlanta

5:00-6:30pm | Church School Building.

Intown Mission Week: 6th-12th Graders: Join us for afternoon service projects in town all over Atlanta. See details at the link below.

Family VBS: All ages are invited to join the fun of Vacation Bible School in the evenings for toddlers through teen helpers with their grownups for family fun together learning Bible stories through crafts, singing & dancing, games, science experiments, crafts, & more. This year’s theme is Snowball Mountain Challenge! Register children, youth, and adult volunteers here. Donate snacks for VBS here.

VBS Mission Fundraiser & Summer Service Projects

For our church-wide Summer Sunday Service Projects in August, we have set high goals to gather donations for 5 partner organizations.  If the VBS kids can achieve the 5 goals of Snowball Mountain Challenge, we believe we can collect the items needed throughout the summer and/or the financial donations to meet these challenges.  Give online here for bulk purchases or check out the wish lists below.  Donations will be collected in the Care Closet of the Church School Building. 

50 backpacks full of school supplies   

30 welcome kits for refugee neighbors 

50 hygiene kits for unhoused neighbors (supplies provided - suggested $10 per person donation) 

20 care packages for young adults transitioning out of foster care 

250 to-go meals for hungry neighbors

Glenn Youth Voices of Grace: Southern Harmony Tour

Week of July 11 - July 17

Sing, explore, learn, and serve at exciting and interesting locations and venues in the Southeast United States:

Birmingham - Sing in worship. 
          - Visit Civil Rights Institute, 16th St. Baptist Church. 
Memphis - Birthplace of much soul, R&R, gospel music.  
         - Elvis Presley Graceland home.  
          - Racial justice missional service.
Nashville - Experience Ryman Auditorium.  
          - Tours of Vanderbilt, Belmont, Fisk Universities.  
          - Visit Opryland. Lots of music-scene opportunities.  
          - New gospel music museum.
         - Missional service. 


All interested youth are welcome to participate in the trip, regardless of their ability to pay the full price. Scholarships will be available! Register & pay online here. For more information, contact Youth Choir Director Wes Griffin or Director of Youth Ministries, Ben Ladner.

United Methodist Youth Fellowship

Our United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF) takes place most Sunday nights from 6:00-8:30pm in the Youth and Activities Building. A typical night includes sharing a meal, having students practice for choir, and having sessions for Middle and High Schoolers to have fun, enjoy fellowship with one another, and learn more about loving God and neighbor. Subscribe to our Youth at Glenn E-newsletter for updates.

Confirmation

Sundays, January-March, 9:45am, Youth and Activities Building

Confirmation focuses on exploring and understanding basic Christian theology and the call to discipleship, as well as our specific United Methodist heritage and understanding. By choosing to be a part of Confirmation, youth will have the chance to learn, ask questions, make friends, and have fun. Participation does not mean that youth will have to commit to join the church- our faith journeys are lifelong and we encourage youth to explore God, faith, and the church with openness. 7th Graders and Friends in Faith volunteers begin the journey of confirmation - learning, exploring, and growing together to confirm our faith and become professing members of the Church. This year, we are offering a parallel class for older youth and adults who may have missed Confirmation as a middle schooler or simply want to explore and grow together in the Christian journey.

Service & Mission

A large part of the identity of Glenn Youth is service. We are committed to expanding the kingdom of God through loving our neighbors, and we serve both locally and internationally, with an emphasis on local partnerships.

Youth Choir

Sundays | 4:00-5:00pm

The Youth Choir consists of 6th-12th graders who sing great sacred music together.  The Choir sings regularly in worship, as well as for Little Chapel programs, senior living facilities, spring concerts, and bi-annual choir tours and mission trips.  Rehearsals are Sundays, 5:00 – 6:00 pm in room 208 of the Glenn Church School Building.  *Free!* No singing experience needed!  For more information, contact Wes Griffin.

Retreats

Our Glenn Youth Retreats are an intentional time for our youth members, youth staff, and adult volunteers to grow in our faith, worship together, and enjoy fellowship! We typically have three retreats per academic year, each being a weekend long. These retreats are an awesome opportunity for new faces to become introduced to our group, and also for Glenn Youth veterans to grow spiritually and in our love for one another.

Learn More

Want to learn more or have any questions about Glenn Youth? Contact Youth Director Ben Ladner.

Learn about our Child/Youth Protection Policies & Safe Sanctuaries here.