High School Ministry

Growing faith, having fun and making friends.

Explore our 2017 Summer Guide, and find ways to take next steps in faith.

We’ve designed our high school ministries around a student’s specific phase in life. We love high schoolers and we’d love to be a partner for your family in pursuing real-deal discipleship. Learn how we partner with families during each life phase, by downloading our age-specific phase plan for grades: Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth.

What's Coming Up?

Join us with HSM (High School Ministry)!

We've got some crazy cool things planned all year long and you won't want to miss a thing! Just ask Catherine Scurria, cscurria@ualc.org, or Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org for updates.

High School Summer Camp – June 22-27, 2017

Students finishing 9th-12th grades join together for one incredible week in Panama City Beach, Florida. There, we’ll join hundreds of other Christian teens from around the country for a week of passionate worship, amazing teaching, great conversations in our small groups, playing fun games and hanging by the ocean. Find more information about the "Big Stuf" program we are attending here.Our registration deadline was June 4. If you have questions or needs, contact Catherine Scurria, cscurria@ualc.org or Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org.

Student Led HSM

In the summer, we give control of our weekly high school meetings over to high school leaders to plan, lead games, greet and to teach. Last summer we had a great time with students in charge, so we’re bringing it back again this year! Sundays, July 2, 9, 16 and 23, 4:00-6:00 pm at Lytham Road. Contact Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org.

How to Follow Jesus in High School – July 9

Don't miss this workshop is for incoming freshmen students and their parents. Find details and register below. Sunday, July 9, 3:00-6:00 pm at Lytham Road. Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org.

Women of the Word- Teen Girls Welcome

Meet for a video Bible teaching, pray, and discuss with other women as you grow in your understanding of the Christian faith. The Summer Study is “What Makes You Happy,” an Andy Stanley series for women and teens. No fee, homework, or registration. Each video stands alone; come to one, or come to all. Friends, neighbors, and co-workers are invited. Tuesdays, July 11-25, 6:45-8:45 pm at Lytham Road. Contact Christie Masheter, wow@ualc.org.

Ongoing Activities and Programs

Sunday Morning Experience

We believe that when students reach the teen years, they will thrive by being a part of adult worship with their families. On top of worship, students are encouraged to grow their faith by serving in Kids' Church at Mill Run or Lytham Road. While not offered every Sunday, Next Step Workshops (training sessions designed around a teen's developmental phase of life) will be a part of the Sunday experience. Contact ataphorn@ualc.org to volunteer for Kids' Church.

HSM (High School Ministry) Sundays – Connect and Grow

During the school year, join us on Sundays from 4:00-6:00 pm at Mill Run. Students have time to make friends, connect with mentors and student leaders, take part in authentic worship, deep teaching, and real conversations in a small group. Many students stay after till 6:30 to hang out. New students are welcome any week. Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org.

Next Step Workshops – Know and Grow Your Faith

Next Step Workshops are fundamental training sessions designed around a teen's developmental phase of life. They prepare parents and teens to grow and live in the Christian faith. Many are for parents and students to attend together. Parents will be encouraged and equipped as the primary former of faith to take it home and live it out together. Examples include Confirmation Capstone and Apologetics workshops. Offered throughout the year. David White, dwhite@ualc.org. Here are some of the Core:

Confirmation Capstone – Affirm Your Faith

Delve deeper into the foundations of the Christian faith and learn practical ways to be a daily follower of Jesus. Parents and students attend the first session together while the rest are for students only. Students can do Capstone anytime during 9th-12th grades. UALC celebrates this important season where students begin the adult life of following Jesus. Before beginning the Confirmation Capstone, please plan to attend at least one UALC retreat or camp and one UALC mission trip. We provide scholarships so no one has to miss out on these amazing experiences. Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org.

"Can I Ask That?" – Part Two

Do you have questions you'd like to ask about your faith? Join our four-week "Can I Ask That" workshop! We'll work with the "Can I Ask That" curriculum from Fuller Youth Institute, and we'll cover the topics of evolution, marriage and sexuality, violence in the Bible and the imperfection of the Christian church. Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org.

How to Follow Jesus After Graduation

Join other high school graduates to talk and pray through the major changes ahead. You’ll also be trained on thinking about how to serve God through your passions as you head into school or the work force, and how to make a successful transition into a faith community as an adult. Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org.

How to Follow Jesus in High School

This workshop for incoming freshmen students and their parents will include hearing from school administrators about the potential challenges of faith in high school, from current high schoolers about wisdom for following Christ in high school, and open discussion with other new freshmen about this important transition. Sunday, July 9, 3:00-6:00 pm at Lytham Road. Register here. Aaron Thompson, athompson@ualc.org.

Tae Kwon Do

We work on developing self-defense skills and provide regular exercise in an environment that honors Jesus Christ. At Lytham Road. More information. Angie Edmonds, aedmonds@ualc.org.

Vacation Bible School Teens

High school students can apply to be teen helpers or teen teachers during VBS. This is great opportunity to love, serve, and make disciples while having fun and enjoying time singing and dancing with kids! Catherine Scurria, cscurria@ualc.org.

Worship Academy – Raising Up the Next Generation of Worship Leaders

The Academy utilizes private and semi-private lessons, band rehearsals, and Scriptural teachings to train up the next generation of worship leaders from within our congregation. The Academy is for middle and high school students who desire training in tech teams (audio/visual arts), prayer teams, or worship bands. Next worship academy is planned for spring 2018, but we are gauging participation in each season so please express your interest. Contact David White, dwhite@ualc.org. More info about the program.

Reach Out and Serve on Missions

Each year, we try to focus on reaching a need within the community or society at large in order to share Christ’s servant love. Trips will be announced throughout the year. Information to come. Catherine Scurria, cscurria@ualc.org.

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Volunteer on a Team

Join a Family, Youth or Children’s Ministry team and be part of transforming lives. Many opportunities for any skill set, age or schedule. Apply here.

What Do You Do?

We get together, play and learn; we get crazy and we get serious. We meet in small groups and big groups. We go places and do things for others and for ourselves.

Can I Come Anytime?

Of course! We really want to see you. And bring friends. If you've come before but it's been a while, not to worry. Just come back when you can.