Jr High Youth Ministry at FUMC LaGrange is with 7th & 8th graders. 

All youth, from any background, are welcome to attend our weekly Jr High 180 gatherings. We meet most Wednesdays through the school year, from 7:00-8:30pm, in the Jr High Room (Room 17, on the lower level of the Church).  

At Jr High 180, we hang out, pray together, ask tough questions, have fun, eat, and play games. We try to laugh as much as possible, but we value times when we need to be serious together, too. In the world of many Jr High students, most things are changing, all of the time. Through 180, we'll learn about a dependable God, and how we can form a connection with that God. Jr High 180 is also designed to work in conjunction with the Confirmation Program. 

CONFIRMATION
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The Confirmation Program is designed for 8th grade students, but older youth are welcome to participate. It requires a September-May commitment. Led by Youth Minister Hattie Koher, Pastor Cerna Rand, and Co-Director of Children & Family Ministry Peggy Ellis, the program is designed to offer students opportunity to explore:

• a deeper understanding of the framework of the Christian year
• the history and current make-up of the United Methodist Church
• the rich heritage of our Wesleyan roots and current beliefs of the United Methodist Church
• loving and lasting relationships within our faith community

Attendance at monthly Wednesday night class sessions as well as Sunday School and weekly Junior High 180 is a requirement of the program. Other events in which students will be asked to participate include Jr High Fall Retreat, weekly TGiW, various service projects and field trips, meetings with their Confirmation Mentor, and attendance at a Church Leadership Council meeting. 

RETREAT, SERVICE & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH 

In addition to weekly youth group, there are several ways for junior high youth to explore their faith and help extend Christ's reach in the world around them. These include:

• Sunday School
• Youth Choir​
• Volunteer with the Methodist Attic Rummage Sale
• Volunteer with the Saturday Meals program
• Jr High Fall Retreat
• Walk with our youth team in the CROP walk
• Preparation for summer ASP trip (8th graders)
• 180 Winter Retreat
• 30 Hour Famine 
• Jr High Service/Fun "Retreat"

For more information, or to learn how you can get involved, contact Hattie at youth@fumclg.org or (708)352-1250, ext. 228.