Children, Youth & Young Adults

Children, Youth & Young Adults

Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. -I Timothy 4:12

Our Youth & Young Adult Ministry is shaped in the following:

  • Nursery, second floor (Room 21): childcare providers are present nearly every Sunday during the service.
  • Sacred Circle (Room 22): this class is for ages 3-8 during the worship service. Children will hear a story, then visit hands-on centers to further experience the story through music, play, drama and art.
  • Junior Church: children in grades K-5 have their own worship service after the first offering. Students can leave then and go to the library across the hall from the main sanctuary entrance.
  • Youth Programming — our best effort is to have one event per month, outside of worship space, to form community.
  • In-Care/Discernment Committee — as part of our covenant to assist in the development of future church leaders, we have a Discernment committee of clergy and lay — we have over 20 ordained folk here (!!!) — to help seminarians move closer towards ordination. Discernment can be a time ripe with anxiety: we’ve got your back! If you are interested in ordination, let us know!

LABS (Living A Better Story) Project, 2020

Fuller Youth Institute (FYI), a research institution affiliated with Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, invited us to apply for their Living A Better Story (LABS) Project. The LABS Project is a cohort of 15 local churches in the Chicagoland area engaged in a 2-year experiment ―given steps and tools by FYI ― to re-imagine discipling and ministering to youth that will develop into youth programming for our church context. University Church has been accepted into the project, and our church team has completed the first summit for the LABS Project. Read a detailed description of the project here.

Youth Committee

The Youth Committee is made up of a leadership team, students, and their caretakers who  are passionate about programming for different age groups within the church. Contact Youth Director Ramona Bamgbose if you’re interested in being on this committee. We welcome parents and volunteers!

Advisory Leadership Team

Ramona Gant Bamgbose, Director of Youth & Young Adults
Latavia Woods, Childcare provider (infants to Kindergarten)
Joy Richardson Moon, Sacred Circle (ages 3-8)

Latest Youth & Young Adult News & Activities

27Nov 2011

UChurch Hires New Youth Minister!

November 27, 2011 Youth & Young Adults

We are excited to welcome Michele Ellis to our staff as the new Youth Minister. Michele (pronounced “Michael”) is from Chicago and has been in the United Church of Christ her entire life (her home church is Trinity UCC). She has a wealth of experience working across all age categories with youth, but most importantly […]

16Nov 2011

Imagine the Unimaginable (Poem)

November 16, 2011 Youth & Young Adults

By Colleen Patikas Can you imagine? Can you speak the words that have not yet been spoken? Can you keep a bond that can never be broken? Like handcuffs that could never be opened Imagine the possible The possibility that Reality Holds the key 2 fantasy And fantasy holds the key to Reality Cuz if […]

16Nov 2011

New Youth Class with Pastor Julian!

November 16, 2011 Youth & Young Adults

Calling all youth and their parents!!  A special class, led by Pastor Julian DeShazier, will be forming soon.  The content will prepare young people to make a decision about choosing baptism or confirmation for themselves.  The class will be open to all youth in grades 7 and older. Those who have already been in such […]

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