There are many opportunities at Burke UMC for youth in 7th-12th grade to participate in worship, Sunday School, Confirmation, fellowship, music ministries, as well as local, domestic, and international mission opportunities!

Worship

Once a year our youth lead our worship service. Also throughout the year, our youth give testimony to experiences they’ve had on our mission trips and activities.

Sunday School

Sunday School for youth is available at the 9:30 am Sunday service. Youth often volunteer as teacher’s helpers at the 11:00 am Sunday School and LifeSign Church School. Maps to Sunday School classrooms are posted throughout the church, and you can always call or email the church to find out your child’s classroom. During the summer, youth attend worship services with their family.
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Confirmation

Confirmation classes are available to any student in 8th grade or higher. Classes for 8th graders begin in September and end in June. Classes will be offered in Spring 2009 for high school students who have not been confirmed if numbers warrant. Watch the bulletin and newsletters for details.

Topics include History of Christianity and the United Methodist Church, Bible study, the sacraments, basic doctrines, and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Field trips, a Spring Retreat, and mentors are also features of our program.   For information about Confirmation, please contact Rev. Judy Fender.
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Youth Group

The Burke United Methodist Youth Fellowship, lovingly called “BUM Youth,” is open to all students from 7th-12th grade. Unless changes are noted, all activities follow the regular Sunday schedule:

4:30 pm In His Name Youth Choir Rehearsal in the choir room
5:30-7:30 pm BUM Youth dinner and meeting ($2 for dinner)

Our program includes games, fellowship, study, mission, food, and worship. While most events are located at the church, we do travel to concerts, retreats, and other activities. The program ends at 7:30pm unless otherwise noted in the bulletin.

320 Senior High Bible Study

Meets Monday Night from 6-8 pm. Contact the church at 703-250-6100 for further information.

365 Middle School Bible Study

365 Middle School Bible Study for 7th and 8th graders meets on Wednesdays, 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the home of  Tom and Rhonda Wells.

Music

“In His Name” Youth Choir is composed of students in 7th-12th grade. They rehearse on Sunday afternoons from 4:30-5:30 pm, directed by Tammy Zerbo. In His Name sings once a month at the 11:00 am worship service, and on Christmas Eve at the 6:00 pm service. In His Name has performed for local nursing homes, and at Kings Dominion. We have a lot of fun, and we’re always finished in time for the Youth Group dinner! For more information or the current schedule, please browse the Music Ministries pages. For information on In His Name, please contact Tammy Zerbo.

"The Joyful Ringers" youth handbell choir is composed of students in 7th-12th grade. They rehearse on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary, directed by Ingrid Bowers. The Joyful Ringers play once a month during the 11:00 am worship service and on Christmas Eve at the 6:00 pm service. For more information, please contact Ingrid Bowers and browse the Music Ministries pages.
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Local Missions

Camp Rising Hope:

Camp Rising Hope is a special summer mission opportunity for youth and adults. During July, BUMC hosts approximately 25 disadvantaged children from Rising Hope United Methodist Church for a week-long day camp. Youth work one-on-one with children as counselors, leading crafts, games, songs, and recreation. Adult volunteers provide transportation, prepare meals, serve as first-aid consultants, and guide our youth volunteers.

Camp Rising Hope is open to all junior and senior high students. Stay tuned each winter/spring for specific dates and sign-up information.
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Vacation Bible School:

Youth volunteers are always needed to help staff and support our Vacation Bible School each summer. Stay tuned each winter/spring for specific dates and sign-up information.
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Domestic Missions

Jeremiah Project (JP):

Jeremiah Project is a summer mission opportunity for junior high students. JP participants spend a week in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia performing home repair for people in need. Projects might include porch construction, house painting, wheelchair ramp construction, and yard work. A strong emphasis is also placed on interacting with the persons for whom the work is done.

Work teams are made up of 5-6 students and 1-2 adults. Youth are encouraged to do as much of the work as they are able to do safely. In addition to service work, each day includes group recreation, exciting and meaningful worship and plenty of opportunity for sharing and fellowship.

JP participants are rising 8th and 9th graders. There are typically two trips, each a week long, to JP each summer, and adult volunteers are always needed.

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Carolina Cross Connection (CCC):

Carolina Cross Connection is an interdenominational Christian outreach mission for senior high youth and adults. Participants travel to Western North Carolina to spend a week performing home repair projects for needy families in rural communities. The work is performed in teams of 6-7 youth and 1-2 adult volunteer leaders. In addition to home repair, participants are encouraged to spend time in conversation with those whom they serve, and often it is these times that have the greatest impact on both the camper and the homeowner.

During the week, youth participants, adult volunteers, and young adult CCC staff members form a close community through work, worship and fellowship. Youth participants in CCC from Burke UMC are rising 10th graders through recent high school graduates. There are typically two or three weeks of CCC offered each summer, and adult volunteers are always needed.

International Missions

Our youth traveled to the Dominican Republic for the first time in 2004 and again in 2006, performing much needed maintenance work on a 900-student school in Barahona. Burke United Methodist students and adults also spent time with the people in the community, sharing meals, worship and fun time with the children.

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