Youth of Union is a ministry where ALL are welcome. We strive to reach and welcome all students in 6th – 12th grades with the love of Jesus by meeting them where they are, loving them for who they are, and guiding them on their own faith journey. We believe that the community or “tribe” that is the church has a calling to come alongside parents/guardians and their students to help navigate both life and faith.
For more information contact Union’s Youth Director, Mr. Thomas Walsh.
Thomas Walsh
Director of Youth Ministries
Please feel free to reach out at any time for any reason.
Email: Thomas@UnionIrmo.org
Thomas's cell phone number: 803-212-5285
Student Leadership Team:
Youth of Union's Student Leadership team acts as an advisory committee to Thomas Walsh, Director of Youth Ministries. This team is an official committee of the Church and serves in leadership roles within the Youth Ministries and throughout the Church.
Faith Formation (Sunday School):
Sunday mornings are a time where students are spit into groups based on grade to study, learn, and grow in their faith through lessons that look at what Scripture is saying and how we can apply those messages to our lives in a practical manner. There is also a component of Biblical study that aids in learning the different stories and texts from Scripture to help in creating more well-rounded and educated followers of Christ. We meet at 10am in the Underground (bottom level of Education Building next to the prayer garden).
Common Ground:
Sunday nights are a time where our focus is on one main thing: the common ground we share that is found through our identity in Christ. We strive to make sure everyone who attends our events feels welcome, seen, and loved for who they are and where they are in both their life and faith journey. We play whole-group games, share fellowship over dinner, have a brief lesson, and then go to discuss what we've heard further in small groups based on grade and gender. This is a place and space where all are truly and wholly welcomed. We begin at 5pm in the FMC Gym and wrap up at 7:15pm in the Chapel (next to the cemetery).
Youth of Union Small Group leaders are amazing adults who are committed to pouring into the lives of our students and being part of their daily and spiritual lives.
Confirmation:
Students typically begin Confirmation classes in the 6th grade but are welcome to join anytime thereafter as the Spirit guides them!
Confirmation classes run September thru April, with Rev. Faye Jones, and run in conjunction with Sunday Morning Youth Discipleship. Confirmands are encouraged to participate in all other Youth of Union activities.
Leaps of Faith Dance Team:
Leaps of Faith is a liturgical dance team that performs in worship services and is open to all 6th - 12th grade students with or without prior dance experience. Rehearsals are held weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30 pm in the Sanctuary. Led by Linda Caldwell and Gloria Stansell, Leaps of Faith is a beautiful way to contribute to worship services for those who feel led to worship through movement.
Youth Basketball:
Basketball season begins in October each year and runs through February of the following year. Youth of Union Basketball offers teams for both boys and girls, grades 4th-12th. The fee to play is $25, but financial assistance is available to any who need it. No prior basketball experience is required to play. Basketball at Union is an outreach and a ministry that we value highly as a means to help young athletes grow in both their spiritual disciplines as well as their basketball skills.
This form needs to be updated each school year for every student!
All information is sent out
through this platform!
Please make sure you text to join, then complete the registration process to receive all of our communications!
Text JOIN to 803-291-5687. You will get a response with a registration link that you will click to complete the registration process.
Join us on Sunday, August 2nd from 3-5:30pm as we end summer by officially welcoming our 6th graders into the youth family!
Address: 216 Collins Court
Columbia SC 29212
Come for tubing, paddle boarding, swimming, food and fun!
This app is synched with the content that we are teaching your Students here at Youth of Union! As a bonus, Parent Cue gives amazing tips on parenting your child through each stage, as well as crucial tidbits on enhancing their Spiritual journey!
Join us for a day trip to Carowinds! We will meet at Union at 8am and return by 6pm.
Cost is $40. The cost includes your ticket for the day, but does not include lunch or anything you may want to buy at the park. We will have waters for the ride up and back, but you are allowed to bring in an empty reusable water bottle to refill throughout the day
We will not stop for dinner on the way home. Contact Thomas with any questions. Click picture to sign up today!
Join us as we head to Washington Street UMC's Soup Kitchen to prepare and serve a meal to those who need it.
We will meet at the buses at 9am and return by 1pm.
Registration is limited due to the size of the kitchen and the amount of work to help do, so secure your spot in time.
Click picture above to sign up today!
