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
Summer Fun
Summer with Students at Athens First UMC is shaping up to be full and fun! We are excited for our summer and what we have planned for our students and their friends!
MS to Six Flags | June 18
An exhilarating day at Six Flags riding Batman, Goliath, the Scream Machine, and more! This day is open to all current 6th-8th grade students for a full day at the theme park! We will leave at 9:00 am and return at 8:00 pm!
Cost: $55 (includes admission and one meal/beverage)
Register
Student Service Week | June 22-26
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! Registration closes June 8.
Register
Supper Club | Wednesdays in July
Join us on Wednesday nights at 6:00 pm in July for Supper and a devotion. We will gather at a different restaurant each week to enjoy fellowship together and a time in God’s Word. The dates will be July 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30. Be on the lookout for the first restaurant!
HS Lake Day | July 20
HS Students, we are heading to the Steger's Lake House on Sunday, July 20 for an afternoon of fun at the lake! We will leave at 1:00pm from the church to head to Lake Hartwell.
Cost: $5 for food
Register
Students to Gwinnett Stripers Game | August 2
Take me out to the ballgame! This evening is open to all 6th Grade-Graduated Seniors! Come join us as we head to Coolray Field to see the Gwinnett Stripers take on the Durham Bulls! We will leave from the church at 5:00pm.
Cost: $18 + money for dinner at the game
Register
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
Confirmation 2025
Confirmation at Athens First United Methodist Church is a time of concentrated learning and reflection designed for middle schoolers. The purpose of Confirmation is to help these students confirm their faith in God. We are focused on guiding and instructing our Confirmands on the vows they are making to become professing members of the United Methodist Church. Learn more about this experience for sixth and seventh graders at the link below!
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
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.
