Youth Ministries
Welcome to Youth Ministries!
All youth ages 6th through 12th grade are welcome to PUMC's Youth Ministry programs. The Mission of our Youth Ministry is to be a supportive community for all youth, equipping them to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, growing beyond themselves carrying the love of Christ into the world, serving others now and in the future.
We believe in the importance of growing as disciples of Christ through engaging discussions, activities, worship, service, and interpreting scripture, and we have fun while living the disciple’s life. We strive for an open and safe environment that is welcoming to all and appreciate that we all come from diverse backgrounds.
The youth at Plainfield UMC are a family in Christ. Youth and adults strive to hold each other accountable and grow together as followers of Jesus. If you have questions or would like more information about the PUMC Youth Ministries or activities, please contact Rebecca Martinovich at rebecca.martinovich@plainfieldumc.com or by calling the church office at 815-436-9651.
Things We Want Every Youth to Know
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This is a safe zone. All are welcomed, all are loved without regard for: LGBTQ identity, physical or mental ability, ethnic heritage, immigration status or socio-economic standing.
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There is always room for you.
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Come as often as your schedule allows.
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There are no requirements of faith.
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We are here to support you, comfort you, challenge you and accompany you on your life journey.
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This is a judgement free zone – JUST BE YOU!
You're Invited!
Youth Group
September through May, all youth are invited to Youth Group usually held on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month. Doors open at 6:00PM and programming begins at 6:30PM. A typical Sunday night’s Youth Gathering includes food, fun, and fellowship. Each Sunday night provides youth light-hearted occasions to laugh, learn, and grow. Youth play games, hang out, ask questions, have a prayer circle, and enjoy a short Bible study. In addition to Youth Group, we have an additional fun outings and service projects. Check out the weekly enews or the church calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Confirmation
Confirmation Classes will begin on Sunday, September 13 at 9:45AM and are open to all 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students. Important information will be presented on the first day of class, and all parents and youth should plan to attend. We will meet in Room 106. Please read this letter from Pastor Eric for more information.​​​
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2026 Youth Fall Retreat
All junior and senior high youth are invited to the Youth Fall Retreat Weekend on October 23 to 25 at Dickson Valley Retreat Center in Newark, IL. We will depart on Friday afternoon at 4:30PM and return to church Sunday morning by 11:00AM. We’re heading back to Dickson Valley (about 35 min. from the church), a favorite spot for everything — laser tag, archery, all-weather tube slide, a climbing wall, gaga ball, and much, much more. Woven into the fun will be opportunities to connect with God! Friends are welcome! Space is limited so register ASAP to save your spot! If you have questions, please contact Rebecca at rebecca.martinovich@plainfieldumc.com or 815-641-9194.
Doris Stabler Scholarship
Plainfield United Methodist Church is proud to offer a great scholarship opportunity for the continuing education for active PUMC members under the age of 25.
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Doris Stabler was an active member of PUMC. Her love of children and desire to promote continuing education led her to provide an endowment that would offer scholarships to PUMC students of good moral character and academic standing.
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At this time students meeting the criteria will be given an opportunity to earn $3,000 for initial tuition or educational expenses to any accredited, post-secondary educational institution. This may be applied to college, junior college, trade school, apprenticeship, etc. The renewal scholarship of $1,500 may be granted three times after the initial scholarship.
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Applicants must be members of PUMC and participate in a minimum of six church related activities in the year prior to completing an application. Examples of activities include: choir, usher, greeter, coffee hour host, attend worship (sign attendance pad), youth group, Sunday School, volunteer for fundraisers, Food Pantry, Big Serve, Mission Trip, serve communion, read scripture, etc.
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Applications will be reviewed by Youth Ministry Advisory Panel, which will determine scholarship awards.
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Application deadlines:
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June 1 to receive funds by August of the same year
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December 1 to receive funds the following January
If you have any questions please contact PUMC Youth Director, Rebecca Martinovich at rebecca.martinovich@plainfieldumc.com.
Youth Mission Trip 2026
June 6 to June 13, 2026
SPIRIT LAKE MINISTRY CENTER, Sheyenne, ND
Youth and adults traveled to Spirit Lake Ministry Center in Sheyenne, ND from June 6 to June 13!​ Spirit Lake Ministry Center is a year-round ministry site which works with, and in support of, the peoples of the Spirit Lake Nation. Visiting teams served by doing light construction work on their grounds and throughout the reservation. We partnered with area organizations to help provide needed renovations to homes, Tribal buildings, and grounds. You can learn more at spiritlakeministrycenter.org. Here are some highlights from our trip:
Youth Ministries Values Statement
Relate
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Time – We commit to building relationships with our youth by spending both quality and quantity time with them.
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Love – We commit to relating to our youth by loving them unconditionally, cheerfully, and faithfully, and expressing that love in appropriate ways.
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Prayer – We commit to faithfully praying for and with our youth and their families.
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Mentoring – We commit to investing in our youth by mentoring them through their questions of faith and daily experiences in “one-on-one” or small group settings.
​Equip
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Equipping – We commit to equipping our youth to help them grow spiritually and to lead healthy, wise and meaningful lives.
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Modeling – We commit that in order to inspire our youth, we must be passionate followers of Jesus Christ and consistently live healthy, wise, and meaningful lives.
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Challenging – We commit that in order to inspire our youth, we must challenge them to live for Christ with all of their hearts and to join us in taking “faith-filled risks” for Christ.​
Serve
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Mobilizing – We create opportunities for them to participate in worship, serve the Church, and express their faith in specific, tangible acts of service, particularly to those in need.
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Launching – We commit that in order to ignite our youth and properly “launch” them into their future, we must prepare them for service to God, life’s challenges, for healthy relationships, and for leadership.
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Service – We help our youth discover their gifts and talents, exploring how they can apply them in service to others.
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