A Loving Community
Where Faith Grows and Families Flourish
Youth Ministry
At Cedar Lake UMC we are dedicated to making youth and their families feel welcomed. Youth are not just the church of tomorrow, they are our church right now! We want all youth at CLUMC to feel like when they come to church they are coming home. Our new youth room is completed, thanks to our wonderful youth ministers and Sunday school teachers. We have a team of talented and committed adults who are expanding our youth ministry every year. Join us Sundays at 9:00 AM for Youth Class. We also meet monthly through our regional cohort, where students from many UMC churches come together for worship and fellowship and mission work. We also have a youth party once a month where youth have a Scripture lesson, fellowship, and super creative and wacky fun. As their gifts and faithfulness grow, our youth are encouraged to serve, and we have many who help us lead on Sundays, and in the mission field. Come as you are. Grades 6th-12th.
Children's Choir
The children’s choir meets Sundays directly after church from 11:15 – around 12:00. We serve kids ages 3 – 9. On Sundays that we have Birthday/Anniversary Celebration or another fellowship opportunity, choir does not meet. Our choir is a ministry, and we like to sing at Greenbriar Nursing Center just down the road. We share God’s love through music and are available to sing at other places. Expect to hear us during worship services occasionally as well. Come help or join us! Meet us at the front of the altar directly after worship on Sundays.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is for children ages 3-12. It’s a fun and free, week-long event held in the summertime. Children learn Scriptures through games, music, crafts, and science experiments.
Confirmation
Confirmation is a season whereby we help our pre-teens build their personal relationship with Christ and with the Body of Christ so that they are ready to confirm their baptism or be baptized as full members of the church. This is a program designed to help emerging young Christians mature their faith and to seek God’s purpose for their lives. This is where pre-teens learn what it means to practice their faith in the Methodist tradition, biblical truth, missional living, and how to pray. They also participate in Confirmation By The Sea each January, a retreat where they gather with other confirmands from around the Conference for spiritual formation and connection. Ages 10-12.
The Forge
The Forge is a youth program for grade K-12. Grades are divided into Elementary School (K-4th), Middle School (5th-8th), and High School (9th-12th). Along with a Bible Study Curriculum, The Forge works on service projects for our community, outings to develop relationships, and Conferences/Camps to foster spiritual health and outreach.
The Forge meets every Sunday at 4pm in the Christian Life Center’s Forge Room.
For more information, to volunteer, or attend, please contact Brandy Hamilton (228) 348-6262 or Brandy.Hamilton11@gmail.com
Our Youth Leaders
Brandy is a mother of 3 boys and a former foster parent for 12 years with her husband, John. She currently homeschools her children and works part time as a bookkeeper. Her professional background is in Interior Design and Civil Construction.
Brandy grew up in the Church of Christ and became a member of Cedar Lake Methodist in 2018.
The High School curriculum this year will be Forged: Faith Refined Vol. 1:Truth.
Joy is a mother of 3 with her late husband, Ray And a grandmother of 6. She has been a member of Cedar Lake Methodist since 2011 and been highly involved in a multitude of groups such as our Chameleons, Ladies Fellowship Circle, Cedar Lake Methodist Women, as well as a Choir member. Joy has recently started the Cedar Lake Classy Closet for youth needing homecoming & prom dresses for free. Along with all of her work with Cedar Lake Methodist, Joy is a volunteer for Pink Hearts Fund.
Joy will be working with Wendy Cleland. The Elementary curriculum will be focusing on The Action Bible workbook as well as Bible storybook options building a solid understanding of The Bible as a whole.
Wendy is married to Dave Cleland and they have an adult daughter with two amazing grandsons Walker 3 and Wyatt 1. She currently works as a facility retail manager for the Exchange serving the military for 35 years. Her hobby is cheering events up with her sty-foam decorating she does with her husband and being a Nonnie to her grandsons.
Wendy grew up as a Christian and became a member of Cedar Lake Methodist in 2004.
Wendy will be working with Joy Walley for the Elementary School group. The curriculum being used is the Action Bible workbook and Storybook Bible for a broad overview of the Bible.
Michelle is a lifelong member of Cedar Lake Methodist. She works diligently as our VBS Director and has been involved in our youth programs since 2016. Michelle has raised her daughter, Ava, in the church throughout her life.
Michelle works with her sister, Melanie, at Community Rehab Physical Therapy for the past 23 years. Michelle holds a Bachelors in Elementary Education and a Masters in Administration. Her background has served our youth programs well with her professionalism and organization.
Michelle will be teaching our middle schoolers (grades 5-8th) with the curriculum, Forged: Faith Refined Vol.2: Identity.