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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
NOTE: These FAQ's are an attempt to keep communication going. They say that if someone asks a question there are others that are thinking it. This is to help everyone get the info they need. These are current answers that are being modified, changed and updated all the time. Please check regularly for updates, revisions and new questions.
PROGRAMMING
Why is it important for parents to be at the parent meeting?
- To be informed
- Meet other parents
- Learn about safe environment
- Opportunity to Volunteer
- Provide input
When are the parent meetings?
- They are in July and January
Is there an after school program for students on Wednesdays?
- Only for high school, hours are 2:00–6:00 p.m. in the youth café
Is the community life center open for students after school?
- Go to the FUMC web site under Community Life Center to view the latest recreation schedule, membership policies, and programs www.fumcniceville.org.
What are the grades of the student ministry?
- Middle school is 6-8 grades
- High school is 9-12 grades
What if my son or daughter wants to be part of a musical arts group?
We offer a Middle School musical arts group called “Center Stage”. They fall under our music ministry. Contact Larry Lord at llord@fumcniceville.org for more information. Periodically we also have auditions for our Middle School and High School youth bands. More information on these auditions can be found in the Student Ministries office – 678-4411, ext. 151.
How does a student know which Sunday school class to attend?
We offer Sunday School Discipleship groups for all Middle School and High School students at both the 9:40 and 11:00 Sunday School hours. Locations may be found by asking the volunteer at the Community Life Center welcome desk each Sunday morning.
What is "NEXUS"?
NEXUS is the name of our Wednesday night 6th-8th grade program that meets from 6 – 8 p.m.
What is "FUSION"?
FUSION is the name of our Wednesday night 9th-12th grade program that meets from 6 – 8 p.m.
What is your Wednesday night schedule?
High School
Youth Hang Time in Youth Café. 2 – 6 p.m. during the school year and 4 - 6 p.m. during the summer. Students should enter the café through the Community Life Center deck door and sign in with our café volunteers upon arrival. All students should remain in the youth area unless signed out by an adult volunteer. Snacks and drinks available for purchase. Homework room provided.
Fusion. 6 – 8 p.m. Youth Theater. Worship, big group and small group activities, fellowship, talk/testimony, and singing.
Middle School
Nexus. 6 – 8 p.m. Sign in at the Fellowship Hall. Pick up your student at the Community Life Center. Fun, fellowship, big group and small group activities, praise music, prayer, gym time, and talk/testimony
Where and when do students get picked up?
In front of the Community Life Center by the flag pole at 8 p.m.
Can a student leave early?
Not unless there is verbal permission obtained from the student’s parent by one of our adult youth leaders or a Student Ministry staff member. We do not accept notes because we can't prove that it came from a parent. We cannot let a student leave without permission from a parent because until that point we are held liable for what happens with that student.
Are there small groups available for students?
We have Convenant Groups for grades 6-12. These are accountability groups of 4-6 students with an adult leader that meet at various times and days throughout the week. If interested, come to the Student Ministries office.
How far in advance do you plan the youth calendar?
We work a year in advance. For example if it is August 2008 then we are working on July 2009.
Do we do mission projects?
We do local, in-state, and in/out of country mission projects each year. Information on the current mission opportunities can be found on the youth web site.
COMMUNICATION/PUBLICATIONS
Where do we find information on youth programs?
There are multiple ways to get youth information.
- Youth website www.fumcniceville.org/youth/
- Weekly Youth News, placed in info. racks located in three different places. (1) Outside of youth office, (2) in main building foyer and (3) main building hallways. These are also handed out during youth Sunday D-groups
- Monthly youth newsletter Watzabuzz posted on the youth web site and placed in the information rack outside the Student Ministries office
- Bulletin boards in the main hallway of the youth area.
- Announcements in the Sunday church bulletin and monthly church newsletter – First Light.
How does a student/family get on the email list?
Email our staff at landerson@fumcniceville.org with your preferred email address.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
When my student travels with Student Ministries, what does she/he need?
- FUMC Youth Medical Release Form for the current school year
- Completed Registration Form for the event
- Complete payment for the event
- Items listed in the event brochure to bring
Where do I get a medical release (also known as Power of Attorney) form?
- www.fumcniceville.org/youth under forms
- Information rack outside the Student Ministries office, 2nd floor of the Community Life Center
Do we need to have the medical release form notarized?
Yes. This can be done free of charge in our Student Ministries office or the main church office.
When and where do I turn in forms and money?
Anytime through the mail slot in the Student Ministries office door. Be sure to put any payments in a money envelope (found in the information rack outside the Student Ministries door) and complete the information needed on the outside of the money envelope.
Can I give the money to the youth minister or an adult volunteer?
No, unless you are giving them money to take their spouses out to dinner!
Why do I have to fill out a money envelope?
So you can tell us who is giving us the money and where you want it to go, and so we have a physical record of the money you’ve turned in.
Do I have to fill out an envelope if the youth administrative assistant is there?
Yes, so we have a record.
Why do Students have to sign in at youth events?
Because it is how we keep track of student attendance.
What is the adult student ratio for trips?
Generally speaking for Middle School it’s 1 adult for every 6 students, for High School it’s 1 adult for every 10 students.
Do the adult leaders have background checks done?
Yes we do background checks, applications and interviews with each adult leader.
ADULT LEADERS/Parents
What kind of training do the adult leaders have?
- Parent meetings in July and January
- Periodic ongoing adult volunteer training
- Shadowing/Mentoring program
- Resource Library in our office
What if I want to become a student ministry volunteer?
Contact the youth department and express interest. Pick up a volunteer application packet from the student ministries office. Fill out the papers and turn them into the student ministries office and speak to the youth minister.
When are parents allowed to come to see what the youth are doing?
Any time they want. We have an open door policy. We want you to know what we are doing with your students and encourage parents to be involved.
