The United Methodist Youth Fellowship (U.M.Y.F.) meets to explore the concerns of youth through the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is a faith based service/social organization open to all youth in grades 5-12. The youth help plan their own agenda and service projects. Activities include: faith based discussions on current topics, bowling, swimming, parties, and retreats.

The Youth Group (grades 5-12) meets every Wednesday evening from 7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. September thru May. The group has a lot of fun events planned for the year and encourages all to come out and join the excitement! Come on out and have lots of fun and good fellowship! Bring you friends too! Hope to see all there! God Bless!

For more information about our Youth Group, please contact Pastor Brian or Tina Hegeman.

The Handi-Dandy Youth Group – Still Looking for Things to Do!!!

Do you need help around your house…repairs or clean ups?? The youth group is looking for service projects this year... if you could use this type of help around your house or yard, please see one of the youth leaders (DeeDee cell (856) 924-4580; Sharon cell (609) 417-9581; Tina cell (609) 381-3611. They will take all the information and help as many people as possible. No job is too big or too small for our youth. Soon, you will hear of a fundraiser, and the proceeds will go to our service projects.

As a reminder, our doors are always open if you have a problem, or need to talk about anything. Below is the leaders information so you can contact us. Have a Blessed Day!

2011-2012 Youth Leaders

Sharon Branco

(h) 856-728-2828 (c) 609-417-9581

Tina Hegeman

(h) 856-728-8661 (c) 609-381-3611

Deedee Huffman

(h) 856-740-0635 (c) 856-924-4580

Pastor Brian Greco

(office) 856-728-3342

Every spring the Cross Keys UMYF challenages themselves to raise money for a cause close to our church family. This year the Youth are raising money to support Autism Speaks by participating in a game-a-thon. Please make a donation to support not only our Youth, but to help put the pieces of the puzzle together! You can donate on line to: http://blog.autismspeaks.org/category/fundraising/ or see one of our youth. The game a thon is scheduled for April 11. Our youth wants to thank everyone for their support!

Another Fulfilling “Youth Year” (2010)!!!

Wow…Youth year is almost over! Can you believe it is the end of April already?! Our youth have done so many wonderful things this year. We are finishing up collecting pennies for our mission team to Kentucky so items can be bought for the children. We will let you know the total next month along with who won…the youth or the leaders. We began our year with a mum sale, and we were able to donate $306 to the general mission fund from this. The church looked so colorful for our Harvest Fest.

Unfortunately for us, our Joe Corbi sale had to be postponed due to snowy weather, but the youth bought gifts for one of the Christmas families this year. They always get excited with what is purchased for the families. And let’s not forget our annual Christmas caroling. One week we went to Juniper to spread the Christmas cheer. It’s always nice because the residents join right in and sing with us. The following week we visited members and friends of our church and caroled at their houses. We put together Christmas baskets full of fruit and love. And we can’t forget our own Christmas party, which is always a blast. It was a time of fellowship, laughing and exchanging white elephant gifts.

We started off 2011 with a hoagie sale for Super Bowl weekend and then, soon to follow was our winter retreat. (What happens at camp, stays at camp! Haha) We really had a wonderful time and great food, thanks to Karen, Jay and Bill. Our youth participated in a Jump Rope for Children’s Hospital, CHD Research Division this year. For an hour and half, our youth jumped…and jumped…and jumped, and for a change of pace, jumped some more! The leaders were challenged by Pastor Brian to jump for 5 minutes straight. All three leaders met the challenge, and by the end of the night, the youth raised $1050.12. This money will go far and help babies born with heart problems.

The youth will have their annual Mother’s Day flower sale again this year, and among all the activities throughout the year, we have countless hours of discussions, dodge ball, manhunts, pizza nights and laughed and cried together.

Our youth are something that our church can be very proud of. We thank the church family for supporting them. I would also like to thank each of the leaders and helpers. Without them, none of what we accomplish could be possible. They are always willing to do what it takes for whatever God calls on us to do.

Thanks to everyone!

DeeDee