Children and youth learn about faith first at home, second at church. The purpose of this guide is to paint a broad picture of what children and youth will experience while participating in the life and ministries of Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church. This is not a checklist, but simply a road map for each child’s spiritual journey.

If you have any questions about the Discipleship Plan, please reach out to Steve Garrison at steveg@tmumc.org.

All Children and Youth...

  • Are invited to receive Holy Communion, regardless of age
  • Are invited to attend Sunday school, worship, and small groups
  • Are invited to participate in all programming relating to their current school grade
  • Are protected by the Trietsch Ministry Safe Policy
all kids are invited
how to help your kids grow in faith

Parents can help their youth grow in their faith by...

  • Being caring and responsive to their needs
  • Talking with their youth about God, community, and love at home
  • Supporting the development of their youth’s abilities and understanding of their own identity as a unique child of God
  • Showing their youth that God is important in their daily life and talking about how God works in our lives
  • Teaching their youth to give their best to God through stewardship by caring for their church, all people, and the earth
  • Being open to ways youth experience God and are not sure how to articulate
  • Participating in mission opportunities with your youth to teach the importance of sharing and caring for others
  • Serving as teachers, leaders, and helpers with Children and Youth weekly opportunities and special events to be able to continue the conversation at home
  • Accepting their youth is going to have questions you may or may not be able to answer, but being willing to hear their questions and have open conversations about them
  • Attending a Baptism class to prepare for baptism
  • Participating in a Life Group or other small group
  • Working on your own spiritual growth, which is one of the best gifts you can give your child

As a Youth...

  • I will begin exploring the unique gifts God has given me and have opportunities to develop, express, and use those gifts
  • I will be reminded of God’s unconditional love and how to share that unconditional love with others (Romans 8:28 & Psalms 139:14)
  • I will have the opportunity to learn about stewardship and how to be a good steward of my resources, time, and talents
  • I will have opportunities to serve in local and national Missions
  • I am able to participate in retreats and faith formation events with youth my own age throughout each year

6th Grade

  • I am considered a “youth” at Trietsch beginning in the fall of sixth grade
  • I am invited to participate in Confirmation where I begin the journey of developing my own relationship with Jesus and have an opportunity to make my own declaration of faith, be baptized, and join the church
  • I am invited to participate in Middle School Sunday school, Rejoice Choir, Sunday Night Youth, and Wednesday Night Life
  • I am invited to participate in a Middle School Mission trip
  • I am invited to serve with The Anchor and Faith Voyage small groups
  • I am learning about modeling my life after Jesus
  • I am continuing to develop understanding of how my faith connects to real life issues and situations

Parents are invited to participate in Sunday Night Youth at any time. Parents are also invited to serve as teachers, small group leaders, and helpers at any youth weekly events and special events.

7th Grade

  • I am invited to participate in Middle School Sunday school, Rejoice Choir, Sunday Night Youth, and Wednesday Night Life during the school year
  • I am invited to participate in a Middle School Mission trip
  • I am invited to serve with The Anchor and Faith Voyage small groups on a weekly basis
  • I am invited to participate in summer programming
  • I am invited to serve with children's programs and MAD Camp during the summer
  • I am encouraged to incorporate spiritual disciplines of prayer and study into my daily life
  • I am learning what it means to live a missional life

Middle School parents are invited to participate in Sunday Night Youth at any time. Parents are also invited to serve as teachers, small group leaders, and helpers at any youth weekly events and special events.

8th Grade

  • I am invited to participate in Middle School Sunday school, Rejoice Choir, Sunday Night Youth, and Wednesday Night Life during the school year
  • I am invited to participate in a Middle School Mission trip
  • I am invited to serve with The Anchor and Faith Voyage small groups on a weekly basis
  • I am invited to participate in summer programming
  • I am invited to serve with children's programs and MAD Camp during the summer
  • I am learning more about the history of Methodism

Middle School parents are invited to participate in Sunday Night Youth at any time. Parents are also invited to serve as teachers, small group leaders, and helpers at any youth weekly events and special events.

High School Students

  • I am invited to participate in High School Sunday school, Rejoice Choir, Sunday Night Youth, and Wednesday Night Life during the school year
  • • I am invited to participate in a High School Mission trip
  • I am invited to serve with The Anchor and Faith Voyage small groups on a weekly basis
  • I am invited to participate in Prayer breakfast where I learn more about modeling my life after Jesus and praying for each other on a consistent basis
  • I am invited to participate in summer programming
  • I am invited to serve with children's programs and MAD Camp during the summer
  • I am invited to apply to the Youth Advisory Council in order to take an active role in determining the direction of faith formation topics and study offered
  • I am studying the Bible on my own and continuing to connect lessons in it to my own life
  • I understand the importance of missions and actively participate in mission opportunities throughout the year
  • I am learning more about the Mission, Vision, and Values of Trietsch and how to apply that to my everyday life
  • I am developing an invitational culture within my youth group
  • I am learning how to articulate my faith

High School parents are invited to participate in Sunday Night Youth at any time. Parents are also invited to serve as teachers, small group leaders, and helpers at any youth weekly events and special events.

Meet Youth Staff

youth director

Steve Garrison

Director of Youth Ministry

Steve believes in servant leadership and guiding our youth into leadership, but he knows that he doesn't do it alone. Along with the youth, his work includes spiritual development of volunteers and parents to create a community of support for our students.

Email Steve→

  • 972-539-8547 Ext. 250
amanda evans

Amanda Evans

Youth Choir Director

For Amanda, Rejoice Choir is about so much more than music. On top of making a joyful noise, the choir serves others, studies Scripture, and uses music to feel more connected to God.

Email Amanda→

  • 972-539-8547

Safety Information

Background Checks

There is nothing more important to us than protecting your sweet kids and creating a safe space for spiritual growth. We require that all adults involved in Children or Youth Ministries, including staff, childcare workers, and volunteers, submit themselves for a background check as a safety precaution.

MinistrySafe

MinistrySafe is a safety training program that all volunteers (including teenagers), staff, and childcare workers are required to complete and renew every 2 years. MinistrySafe was created to help ministries meet legal standards of care and reduce the risk of sexual abuse using tools and technology tailored to fit the needs of churches, camps and ministry programs.