Encouraging Youth Ministry
At FCC, youth worship isn’t just for little kids. We offer exciting programs for our middle and high school students as well. In addition to middle school and high school youth groups, our students can participate in confirmation classes and our senior high service trip.
If you plan to join us on Sunday mornings, please complete our FCC Kidz registration form for 2022-2023. Questions? For additional information regarding our programming for children and youth of all ages, contact Rev. Lily Tinker Fortel or Marina Baker.
FCC Kidz Zone: FCC Kidz Zone is located on the lower level of the building. If you are new to the building, please ask anyone for directions.
**Please note that FCC – and especially Kidz Zone – is a nut-free zone due to nut allergies.**
Select a box below to see the details of each program.
Students in 6th-8th grades are invited to join us for FCC Kidz each Sunday morning. As with other students, they begin 10am Worship in the Sanctuary. Following Children’s Circle, they go downstairs to meet as a group with our staff and/or volunteer youth leaders. Through scripture and stories, discussion and questions, and games and activities, we encourage a welcoming community and deepening of faith. Here, our Junior High students come into their own understanding of faith and build relationships with one another.
Most first Sundays, Middle and High School Youth gather for Brunch Bunch following 10am worship. This is an opportunity for discussion and community building with one another, our youth volunteers, and our staff. While youth are meeting with volunteer leaders and Lily Tinker Fortel, parents are invited for brunch and conversation with Darcy Crain.
Outside of Sunday mornings, our Junior High Youth Group meets for social gatherings and/or opportunities for service in our community.
Confirmation takes place when students are in eighth grade. Confirmation at FCC is a program that encourages spiritual growth, Biblical exploration, and personal journey. Students may go through confirmation without getting confirmed if they choose. Sessions are taught by Lily Tinker Fortel.
We meet for 8-10 sessions beginning in mid-January and into the spring. Both students and adults are enriched by FCC’s confirmation mentors program. Each confirmand is paired with an adult mentor. Mentors and students attend a confirmation retreat and meet regularly throughout the confirmation process. Once confirmed, students are considered full members at FCC.
Most first Sundays, Middle and High School Youth gather for Brunch Bunch following 10am worship. This is an opportunity for discussion and community building with one another, our youth volunteers, and our staff. While youth are meeting with volunteer leaders and Lily Tinker Fortel, parents are invited for brunch and conversation with Darcy Crain.
High School Youth also gather for special service and fellowship events. Past events include movie nights, corn mazes, Neighborhood Senior Services, and Cass Community Center in Detroit.
Each summer, our senior high youth go on a weeklong service trip. Past trips have included Costa Rica, Manhattan, Milwaukee, and Detroit. Our youth have served in urban and rural and domestic and international locations.
Our service trips provide youth with a well-rounded experience. We deepen our understanding of various needs in our world. We explore how our faith calls us to respond with compassion to those needs both with service and societal change. Adult volunteers provide support, supervision, and encouragement during these student-led experiences.