Plymouth's youth ministry is a safe, nurturing Christian community where youth can learn and grow in faith, fellowship and service.
Plymouth Youth offers students in grades 7 through 12 a host of ways to find a place to belong at Plymouth:
COMMUNICATION
Want to find out what's happening for Plymouth Youth? Check out the Contact and Sunday's Current Happenings. Also, make sure and check out the Plymouth Facebook page.
Click here if you would like to view the current Youth Ministries Handbook in its entirety.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is the time that 7th and 8th graders wrestle with what it means to be a Christian, what it means to be a member of Plymouth, what it means to discover and use their own gifts and talents, what it means to serve others. To learn more, click Confirmation program.
Confirmation is the time that 7th and 8th graders wrestle with what it means to be a Christian, what it means to be a member of Plymouth, what it means to discover and use their own gifts and talents, what it means to serve others. To learn more, click Confirmation program.
FELLOWSHIP: WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNERS
All 9 - 12 grade youth are invited to the Youth Room on Wednesday nights from 6 -7 p.m. for food, fun, and fellowship. Dinners are provided and supervised by parents. Schedule is posted on the Youth Room door.
FUNDRAISING
Plymouth Youth fundraising means more than raising funds. It’s a way to have a lot of fun. Our four fundraisers are Leaf Rake, Pizza sales, and Garage Sale. For more details, click on Youth Handbook.
MISSION TRIPS
Our youth take at least one mission trip every summer, when high school students leave Des Moines and grow in faith by working with and for other people. Sometimes our trip is within the United States, such as our mission trips to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and New York City. Sometimes we venture outside our own country, such as trips to Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa, Mexico. For more information, click on Youth Handbook.
MUSIC
Red robes in 9 a.m. Sunday worship make Matins Choir the most visible opportunity for youth involvement. "Soul Singers" is the choir for middle-school students. But it doesn't end there. High school students also play instruments in Sunday morning worship and add to the Saturday night worship band.
ROOM OF YOUR OWN
The Youth Room, located on the third floor (west side of the building), is a place for our 9th – 12th graders to congregate for:
Fellowship: A great space for sharing, talking, laughing, and reflecting.
Games / Entertainment: Recreational activities, such as pool and fooseball are available, as is music and videos.
Meetings: Perfect for church youth gatherings, Matins Leadership Team meetings, or small get-togethers.
Scheduled Service Project: An ideal site for graduate care package note writing, Project Memories and Christmas Eve luminary assembly.
Meals: Come join youth on Wednesday evening at 6pm for dinner. Parents donate their time, cooking and serving Plymouth Youth. Also, light breakfast foods are available on Sunday mornings prior to the 9am service.
Quiet Sanctuary: Keep it a secret, but this is a great place for privacy. Don’t tell anyone, but youth have actually been sighted doing their homework here.
SERVICE PROJECTS
Plymouth youth have many opportunities to become involved in service to others. Annual service projects include our car wash, care packages for first-year college students, and Reggie's Sleepout. Youth are also invited to participate in church-wide service opportunities. Read about other service opportunities in the Youth Handbook.
SKI TRIPS
The ski trip (offered on rotating years) is an opportunity for fun and fellowship for all 7th - 12th graders, their friends, and their families. We leave early in the morning and travel by chartered bus to Afton Alps, Minnesota where we enjoy a full day of skiing or snowboarding. We return to Plymouth late that same night. This trip is a great chance for middle school youth to "try out" a youth activity. Estimated cost -- $80-100, depending on age and rental needs.
UCC ACTIVITIES
Youth always are welcome and encouraged to attend activities of our denomination, the United Church of Christ. This includes the Iowa Conference spring and fall retreats, as well as the Regional Youth Event and the National Youth Event.
VARIETY SHOW
Calling all singers, instrumentalists, actors, poets, performers...What's your talent? All 9 - 12 graders are invited to be a part of this Plymouth tradition led by the Matins ensemble.
VARIETY SHOW
Calling all singers, instrumentalists, actors, poets, performers...What's your talent? All 9 - 12 graders are invited to be a part of this Plymouth tradition led by the Matins ensemble.
YOUTH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Youth and adults work together to plan and implement a range of programs for high school students at Plymouth. It requires dedication, leadership and vision. It can be a lot of work, but it is always a lot of fun. See the Youth Handbook for a list is the current Youth Executive Committee members.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PLYMOUTH YOUTH
Click here to view FAQs in the Youth Handbook.
Youth and adults work together to plan and implement a range of programs for high school students at Plymouth. It requires dedication, leadership and vision. It can be a lot of work, but it is always a lot of fun. See the Youth Handbook for a list is the current Youth Executive Committee members.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PLYMOUTH YOUTH
Click here to view FAQs in the Youth Handbook.
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