Phyouth and Midyouth Families,

As we are wrapping up fall soon and heading into the Christmas season, here are all the special events going on in the youth department that you won't want to miss!

Here are the special UPCOMING EVENTS you won't want to miss:

Thanksgiving Feast (11/24)

All youth (5th-12th) enjoy a fun Thanksgiving meal together coming up THIS SUNDAY EVENING! (5:30-7:15pm)

Midyouth (5th-7th) please bring cans of soda or juice boxes to share. Phyouth (8th-12th) please bring a dessert to share. No registration required.

Shop and Wrap (12/8)

All Youth and Midyouth (5th-12th) are invited to participate in this mission activity. We purchase and wrap Christmas gifts for Wakefield Elementary students we are sponsoring this year. (12:00-3:00pm)

**youth calendar says 2:00pm and is wrong. We will work until 3:00pm**

*No signup needed to attend

*Online registration is for donations and drivers.

Shop and Wrap Info, donation and drivers

Ferncliff Christmas Volunteers (12/13)

This is a new opportunity for midyouth (5th-7th) and youth (8th-12th) to volunteer as actors or helpers at "A Ferncliff Christmas", an interactive nativity. Check out more about the event here.

PHUMC youth is signed up to help Friday, 12/13, 3:45pm - 8:15pm. Interested individuals, please sign up by the end of November.

Actors will play various roles along the nativity trail. This role is most appropriate for 8th-12th, but midyouth may signup if you have experience acting! General Helpers can be any age and will assist with parking, crafts, hot cocoa, etc.

More information and sign-up here: Volunteer at "A Ferncliff Christmas"

Here are the UPCOMING WINTER RETREATS with registrations open now:

Confirmation Retreat (1/24-1/25)

Open to midyouth (5th-7th grade), this overnight retreat at Camp Tanako is confirmation themed but the content will also be accessible and helpful for students that are not going through the confirmation process at this time. We'll be taking an in depth look at topics of Prayer and Spiritual Practices in a fun and engaging way. Sign-up here for a weekend of fun, time with God, opportunities for spiritual growth, and building connections. Register for Confirmation Retreat

Veritas (2/21-2/23)

Veritas (for phyouth 8th-12th) is the largest event of the ACCYM year with over 1,500 youth and adults in attendance. The event concentrates on offering an incredible worship experience with nationally renowned speakers, bands, and specialized artists. Cost includes event registration, transportation, lodging (hotel rooms), t-shirt, and meals throughout the weekend. Early-bird pricing through Dec. 31. Register for Veritas

Here are the UPCOMING SUMMER DATES you won't want to miss:

Ozark Mission Project (OMP) (6/8 - 6/13)

Youth (incoming 7th - 12th) are invited to join us for a week of service in Jonesboro, AR. Registration is full - join the waitlist below.

Vacation Bible Camp (6/23 - 6/26)

ALL youth (incoming 5th-12th) are invited to volunteer for VBC. Expect more details and registration after Christmas.

Midyouth Learning and Service Week (7/7 - 7/9)

Midyouth (incoming 5th - incoming 7th) are invited to 3 days of learning, service and fun together. (8:00 - 2:30pm each day). Registration link below, opens Oct. 15.

Guatemala Medical Mission Trip (Dates TBD in July)

We will be selecting between 3-5 youth to attend the mission trip in Guatemala medical team. Dr. Laura Sanders will be the adult responsible for youth on the trip. The role of youth on the trip is to learn from the medical team, and support their work in the form of physical set up, and working with children and families receiving care. 

Students wanting to attend the trip must be: 

--A rising junior, rising senior, or senior graduate

--An active participant in youth ministry at PHUMC

Register and More Info for Guatemala Mission Trip

Assembly (7/14 - 7/18)

Youth (incoming 7th-12th) are invited to Hendrix College for a week of growth, worship, connection and fun with other United Methodist Youth from across the state. Registration link below, opens Oct. 15.

School Kick-off Youth Retreat (8/1 - 8/4)

You won't want to miss brand new event for Phyouth (incoming 7th-incoming 12th). This will be a weekend full of fun activities, connection with each other, and spiritual development. Save the date, more details coming soon.

To see the entire school-year calendar, click the buttons below. You can always find the youth calendars posted at https://phumc.com/youth

As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Heather Doherty, hdoherty@phumc.com

Ellen Rowland, erowland@phumc.com

All Youth and Midyouth (5th-12th) are invited to participate in this mission activity, 12:00-3:00pm on Sunday, Dec. 8th. We purchase and wrap Christmas gifts for Wakefield Elementary students we are sponsoring this year.

We meet in the youth room at noon for lunch, split into shopping teams to purchase items at Target, then return to the youth room to wrap presents.

No signup needed to attend, online registration is for donations and drivers.

More information and sign-up here: Volunteer at "A Ferncliff Christmas"

Midyouth (5th-7th grade) are invited to this overnight retreat at Camp Tanako.

Phyouth 8th-12th are invited to Veritas, is the largest event of the ACCYM year!! Early-bird pricing through Dec. 31.

Assembly (July 14-18) is the our longest standing, and most beloved Arkansas Conference Youth Ministry event. Jr High (completed 6th-8th) and Senior High (9th-graduates) are separate groups who stay the same week at Hendrix College. Assembly allows students to be in small groups with United Methodist Youth from across the state, worship together, and participate in fun activities—making memories for a lifetime!



Come enjoy the beautiful campus of Hendrix college, and get the full experience of living in their historic dorms, eating in the award winning cafeteria, and worshipping together in the auditorium with nationally renowned speakers and band. This is an experience you won't want to miss!

Midyouth Learning and Service Days (for incoming 5th - incoming 7th grade) is one of the best events we offer for midyouth! We purposefully develop service opportunities where our students can experience the joy of serving others while learning about and experiencing some of the inequities that exist in our world.

Spots are limited, reserve yours before they are gone! Each day includes a service and learning activity, lunch and a fun activity. Specific activities will be announced closer to summer.

Ozark Mission Project will be June 8-13 in Jonesboro. This year we are taking 7th-graduated 12th graders. This is a physically challenging but rewarding week where our mission teams will serve individuals in the Jonesboro community by helping with construction projects.



Remember, all students must register based on their grade as of fall, 2025. The cost of Ozark Mission Project is $285 due at registration (new 2-payment option this year). This registration fee is non-refundable. Partial and full scholarships are available, email Ellen for more details. Mandatory participant and parent meeting is June 5th, 6:30pm in the Sanctuary.

OMP is now full, but you can join the waitlist below!