Middle School at Athens First is open to all students in grades 6-8. The programming opportunities below, from Wednesday night Bible study to retreats and everything in between, are designed with your Middle Schooler in mind!
Middle School at AFUMC
Student Service Week
We invite students in grades 6-12 to join us from June 22-26 for Student Service Week where we spend the week serving in Athens. We will spend the night at the church each night, serve with various ministries throughout Athens, and have a lot of fun doing it! Registration is now open. The cost for the week will be $125 and this will cover meals, mission projects, a t-shirt, and activities throughout the week.
Below you will find some of the organizations that we will be serving with a few more to be added:
North Georgia Food Bank
UMCOR Mission Hub at the North Georgia Annual Conference Office
UMCOR Hygiene Kits
Below you will find some of the fun activities that we will be doing the week with more to be added:
Funopolis and Dinner in Commerce
Top Golf and lunch in Buford
Movie Night w/ Popcorn Bar
True North VBS | June 2-5
True North VBS is going to be the ultimate Alaskan adventure where kids will explore the tundra learning how Jesus is a friend we can trust. Don’t miss the exciting adventure God has in store during this summer’s best week ever!
Our incredible Student Ministry Volunteers are essential to a successful VBS! Rising 7th–12th graders will team up with adult leaders to guide our young explorers, ensuring they have a fun and safe adventure.
Register at the link below by May 11
Spark | August 22-24
It’s time for our annual Middle School Fall Retreat! It is going to be an amazing weekend playing at Camp Glisson in Dahlonega, GA. This retreat is open to all 6th and 8th Grade Students. 7th-grade students will be coming along, but you will register your 7th-grader as a Confirmation student.
This weekend will be full of incredible worship, encouraging and challenging messages, and lots of fun playing in the water at camp, and of course digging into the word Spark and what it means for us and our faith.
The dates for this retreat are Aug. 22-24 and the cost for the weekend will be $185. The cost includes all meals, lodging, activities, and a t-shirt. You will find below a schedule for the weekend:
Friday, Aug. 22
5:00 p.m. – Check-in/Dinner at AFUMC/Load Bus
6:30 p.m. – Depart for Glisson
8:00 p.m. – Arrive at Glisson
8:30 p.m. – Session 1
10:30 p.m. – Everyone in Cabins
11:00 p.m. – Lights Out
Saturday, Aug. 23
7:30 a.m. – Wake Up
8:30 a.m. – Breakfast
9:30 a.m. – Session 2
12:30 p.m. – Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.- Swimming @ the Pool
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Messy Games/Ice Cream Sundae Bar
5:00 p.m.- Free Time (Shower)
6:00 p.m. – Dinner
6:45 p.m. – 8:00 pm- Session 3
8:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. – Glow in the Dark Games
9:30 p.m. – 10:30 – Campfire and S’mores
10:30 p.m. – Back to Cabins
11:00 p.m.- Lights Out
Sunday, Aug. 24
7:00 a.m. – Wake Up/Pack Up/Group Picture/Load Bus
8:30 a.m. – Breakfast
9:15 a.m. – Session 4
10:15 a.m. – Depart for AFUMC
11:45 a.m. – Arrive at AFUMC
The Elijah Project
The Elijah Project is an inter-generational prayer ministry connecting adults and youth in our congregation through consistent, expectant prayer. Students and adults partner together in prayer, rejoicing and giving thanks for the highs, and giving comfort and encouragement during the lows. This ministry blesses youth and adults alike each year.
AGAPE
Created in the Fall of 2021, the goal of AGAPE - All God's Abilities Purposefully Engaged - is to create a safe and comfortable, inclusive Christian environment for children and students of all abilities. AGAPE is continuing to grow and develop and we welcome you to be part of it!
Whether you are a parent of a child with special needs, interested in volunteering, or want to know more about this ministry, we invite you to be part of this unique, growing ministry at Athens First UMC.
