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
SAVE THE DATE: Friday, December 22, 2023 YOUTH LOCK-IN AT UNIVERSITY CHURCH CONTACT INFO & RSVP Tiant Holloway, Youth Pastor: Tiant@universitychurchchicago.org Pastor Julian DeShazier: Julian@universitychurchchicago.org Phone: 773-966-2547 Holiday Greetings! Consider this an INVITATION for the youth at your church to our 9th Annual LOCK-IN being held at UNIVERSITY CHURCH on Friday, December 22, 2023. The […]
From D’Angelo Smith, UChurch Youth Coordinator I attended the “Movement for Black Lives” gathering this past weekend in Cleveland, Ohio. It was a very emotional experience for me and propelled me back to the plight of our ancestors and the struggles they faced. All of those who have gone before us, who had a foundation […]
The mission of Camp Create is to enhance exceptionally well rounded, confident, and fun citizens of the world!! We are excited to spend the summer with you and your camper! To register for the camp, please click here to begin the enrollment process. Question? Please email the camp co-director at campcreateuc@gmail.com. Here’s to an amazing summer! Jarren S. Camp […]
Come out on the FRIDAY after CHRISTMAS for our first youth lock-in! A community-wide event (so invite your friends and youth you know), the intent is to create safe and creative space where our children can experience FUN, FAITH, and FELLOWSHIP, and of course…FOOD. The entire building will be available and events will be happening […]
EVENT PAGE (FACEBOOK) University Church is excited to announce its 1st community open-mic, bringing together artists within our neighborhoods, schools, and city in celebration of our collective gifts. Join us for an evening of poetry and storytelling as we speak spiritual truths to power while cultivating new relationships. Artists are invited to share their work […]
We have needed to bring the youth of our local churches together for a very long time, and now it’s going to happen! SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012 The Chicago Metropolitan Association of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ has announced plans for a regional youth event, to be held […]
