Holston View offers Sunday School classes for youth of all ages, through
college and young adult. Dedicated teachers work diligently to provide
lessons that are interesting, relevant and spiritually uplifting.
Older youth and young adults are encouraged to participate in the Adult
Chancel Choir, dramas, volunteer service and church governance. Youth have
their own representatives to the Administrative Council. They sometimes
serve as acolytes and often assist in the church nursery.
Vacation Bible School is offered for all ages. The program includes Bible
Study, music, crafts, recreation and refreshments. Older youth assist with
crafts and recreation as well as attending classes of their own. A pool
party at Yuma Ruritan and participation in Morning Worship round out
this event.
Confirmation classes are usually provided in the spring. A new approach,
tried very successfully in recent years, pairs each child or youth with an
adult member who serves as mentor. At the end of the classes, those who
are ready to take that step are baptized or confirmed (if they were
christened as infants) on Pentecost Sunday.
All youth of the church and community are encouraged to take part in
United Methodist Youth Fellowship. UMYF provides wholesome group
activities for them as they learn and grow in the faith.
UMYF is fortunate in having two young adult couples as its dedicated
counselors. The group meets each Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. for fellowship,
recreation, and inspiritual programs.
Several dinners and other fund-raisers are held throughout the year to help
finance the two main youth trips: a winter trip to Resurrection Youth Rally
in Gatlinburg and a summer retreat which varies in destination. Sometimes
the summer retreat is also a mission work experience as it was the year the
group went to Cherokee.
Other fun activities include attending student day at Emory and Henry
College, lock-in at church, pool party, and day trips to Gatlinburg and
Pigeon Forge.
Through UMYF our youth are also taught the value of service. They give a
percentage of all funds raised to the Youth Service Fund, go trick or
treating for UNICEF, assist with younger children, and participate in worship
services.