Youth Staff
Jennifer Burke
Youth Director
Cameron Wetzel
Associate Youth Pastor
Paradise in Picayune | June 28
9am-4pm | Cost $30
Open to grades 6-12. Relax and retreat with kayaking, paddle boating, swimming, and lunch, along with some worship and the Word! We will meet at the Highway at 9am and liad up in 15 passenger vans. Located at 25945 Hwy. 43, Picayune, MS 39466. We will arrive back at the Highway at 4pm.
Touchpoints
Last Wed. of Month | 6:30 pm
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Dear Parents, we would love to meet you, to hear your stories, your questions, and your feedback. We also hope to share vision, partner with you, and keep you updated!
The Highway
Sunday Mornings | 9:45am | Junior & Senior High
High school and junior high students are invited to come be part of a service geared for teenagers. Our staff understands students are at various places along their spiritual journey. With messages that are relevant and engaging, along with music that is heartfelt and inspiring, The Highway helps “prepare the way” for students today by offering a space that is not only inviting, but also challenging, as we encourage students to move deeper into an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ.
In The Know
Would you like to know what is going on from week to week–mission opportunities, updates, reminders?! Ask to be put on our parent email!
Life Groups
Various Times | Junior & Senior High
Life Groups really are the heartbeat of our ministry. We believe that authentic transformation and connections are made in these smaller groups. Life groups are a safe context in which students can get face to face with peers and trusted adults to ask the real-life questions they have about themselves, the world and, ultimately, about God–not to mention, sharing tons of laughs along the way. A life group exists for each grade and gender. Contact us, and we will get you connected to your student’s adult leader.
Praise Band & Tech
Wednesdays | 5:30PM
Student vocalists and musicians meet every week to offer their talents in worship. Each Wednesday they come together to practice for Sunday morning worship while building community along the way. The tech crew is also an essential part of the team, running lyrics, lights, and sound to create an intimate and engaging experience! Let us know if you play an instrument, sing, or would like to learn to run tech!
Voices Youth Choir
Jr.& Sr. High
If you love to sing, Voices is a great way to come meet new friends and sing all sorts of music from contemporary Christian to folk! Voices provides opportunities for students to showcase their talents at various adult services, as well as getting to participate as a worship leader in the youth praise band!
For more information email Ari Assaf: [email protected] or Kenya L. Jackson: [email protected]
Parental Consent Form
Each year, we need you to fill out a new parental consent form for your student. You can download one to fill out for 2020 by clicking HERE.
Safe Sanctuaries – Key Reference September 2018
Students and ministry are our top priority. These key procedures are needed to maintain safe and healthy boundaries:
Screening: Everyone serving in the children or youth area – volunteers and staff – must have a background check, interview, and references in order to interact with them, as well as Safe Sanctuary training with an annual review.
The Rule of Two: Those serving with children or youth are not to be alone in private with them.
Transportation: It is never appropriate for a student to be driven anywhere without parent/guardian permission and two adults in the vehicle. Preferably with more than one student.
Counseling – In instances necessitating a one-on-one basis:
• Written approval of parent/guardian
• Written notice to other youth pastors or staff
• Presence in building of other adults
• During operational hours where other adults are in proximity
• Preferred location: Youth Office or Highway Breakout rooms
Electronic Communications:
• Neither Snapchat nor other forms of private communications are to be used.
• Text or other electronic communications by STUMC employees with children or youth will only be done by approved methods to include archiving and administrative review.
• Text or other electronic communications by Volunteers with children and youth will only be done within a group context with the parent/guardian or screened adult included.
We encourage you to report any perceived violation of these safeguards to the Senior Pastor, Executive Pastor or SPR Chairperson.