Student Ministry: 7-12 Grade

Focusing on faith, fellowship and service

The world today for teens is more complex than ever before, and navigating the way and discovering your place can, at times, be challenging. At Shandon, we’ll help you know God and how your journey with Him can equip and empower you for life’s exciting opportunities and difficult challenges. 

In SMS you’ll experience engaging studies and events as well as fun activities where you can grow in your faith, build real friendships and make a difference through service. So if you’re a 7th-12th grader interested in hanging out in a Christian environment with an awesome group of teens and demonstrating faith, not just talking about it, then you belong in SMS. Shandon’s teens come from a variety of neighborhoods and schools, have a wide range of interests, and are at different stages on their faith journeys.

Want more information about SMS? Want to get connected? Contact Andy Morris, Director of Youth Ministries at amorris@shandon-umc.org or(803) 491-5332.

Follow SMS on Facebook and Instagram to see all the exciting things going on!

SAFE SANCTUARY
Shandon is a Safe Sanctuary church committed to providing a safe and caring environment where children can grow in their faith and Christian living.

Student Ministry: 7-12 Grade Events

Dec
11th

MYF (Students Grades 7-12)

MYF (Students Grades 7-12)

Youth Zone

We invite students (rising 7th and older) to join us on Sundays.

MYF December Schedule

December 4: Our students will be helping our children’s ministry with their “Sweet Advent” from 4:00-6:00 p.m. We will assist in setting up, running supplies, and helping families complete their wreaths. 

December 11: Youth Christmas Party! Middle and High School students will celebrate Christmas in the gym! Make sure you wear your Christmas sweaters and bring $5 gifts to exchange! From 5:00-7:00 p.m., we will play games, have Chinese food for dinner, and hear the Christmas story from a special guest!

December 18: Open Gym will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will be followed by MYF from 5:00-6:30 p.m. We will have dinner, games, and a lesson on Advent. 

Help pay for MYF meals & snacks:
shandon-umc.org/give, and choose MYF Meals/Snacks.

More info

Dec
14th

Wednesday Manna

Wednesday Manna

Player Hall – Dunn-Smith | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Manna is a weekly fellowship meal with our church family and friends on Wednesday evenings in Player Hall. Food service is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; pre-registration is required: shandon-umc.org/register. Childcare in the gym is available from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Menus are planned but may change based on the availability of food supplies.

HOT BAR:

December 7: Chicken Bog, Slaw, Fruit, Roll, and Dessert

December 14: Chicken Fingers, Macaroni and Cheese, Green Beans, Roll, and Dessert

The last Manna for 2022 will be December 14. Manna will resume Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

COLD BAR: Prepared Mixed Green Salad with Grilled Chicken Breast

CHILDREN’S MEAL OPTION (includes dessert):

December 7: Turkey & Cheese Wrap & December 14: Cheese Quesadilla

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED – The deadline to order Wednesday Meals is Monday by 5:00 p.m. at shandon-umc.org/register.

More info

Dec
18th

MYF (Students Grades 7-12)

MYF (Students Grades 7-12)

Youth Zone

We invite students (rising 7th and older) to join us on Sundays.

MYF December Schedule

December 4: Our students will be helping our children’s ministry with their “Sweet Advent” from 4:00-6:00 p.m. We will assist in setting up, running supplies, and helping families complete their wreaths. 

December 11: Youth Christmas Party! Middle and High School students will celebrate Christmas in the gym! Make sure you wear your Christmas sweaters and bring $5 gifts to exchange! From 5:00-7:00 p.m., we will play games, have Chinese food for dinner, and hear the Christmas story from a special guest!

December 18: Open Gym will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will be followed by MYF from 5:00-6:30 p.m. We will have dinner, games, and a lesson on Advent. 

Help pay for MYF meals & snacks:
shandon-umc.org/give, and choose MYF Meals/Snacks.

More info

Dec
24th

Christmas Eve Family Service – 4 p.m.

Christmas Eve Family Service – 4 p.m.

Sanctuary – Bruner Building | 4:00 p.m.

Experience Christ at the center of your Christmas Eve. All services will include familiar carols and the wonderful scriptures telling of Christ’s birth.  Each service will be similar, and yet, each will have something different to make it special.  Invite your family and friends as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.          Christmas Eve Communion Service – Sanctuary

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.          Christmas Eve Family Service

Sharing the Christmas story with narration, costumes, familiar carols, and music
by the Children’s Choirs. Features a live nativity with animals and the lighting of
“glow sticks.”

6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.          Christmas Eve Family Service

9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.       Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service

More info

Dec
24th

Christmas Eve Family Service – 6 p.m.

Christmas Eve Family Service – 6 p.m.

Sanctuary – Bruner Building | 6:00 p.m.

Experience Christ at the center of your Christmas Eve. All services will include familiar carols and the wonderful scriptures telling of Christ’s birth.  Each service will be similar, and yet, each will have something different to make it special.  Invite your family and friends as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.          Christmas Eve Communion Service – Sanctuary

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.          Christmas Eve Family Service

Sharing the Christmas story with narration, costumes, familiar carols, and music
by the Children’s Choirs. Features a live nativity with animals and the lighting of
“glow sticks.”

6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.          Christmas Eve Family Service

9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.       Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service

More info

Jan
27th

Revolution 2023

Revolution 2023

Columbia, SC

Our middle and High School students will join other Methodist youth groups from across the state for a weekend of worship and fellowship in Columbia. 

This year, Revolution 2023 will be a Friday to Sunday Event. We will be led in worship at the Township Auditorium by STARS GO DIM and our guest speaker Nathalie Nelson Parker. Throughout the weekend, our Shandon UMC students will meet at the church to ride together for each day’s activities. 

The cost for the weekend is $100, which includes lunch and dinner on Saturday. This is a cornerstone weekend for so many students’ faith walks, as well as a chance to connect with other UMC students. 

Please register by January 11th at Shandon-umc.org/register.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Andy Morris at amorris@shandon-umc.org

More info

Feb
10th

High School Ski Retreat

High School Ski Retreat

Winterplace Ski Resort, West Virginia

Our Shandon UMC High School students and their friends are going to West Virginia for a weekend of Skiing and Worship. Our students and chaperones will head to Winter Place, WV, on Friday afternoon and return Sunday evening. We will be staying together in a Glade Springs Resort lodge right around the corner from the slopes. 

The cost of this retreat is $315, which includes: all meals except Sunday Lunch, transportation, lodging, ski tickets, and ski/equipment rentals. Students should bring some money for fast food lunch on Sunday. 

Registered students MUST attend a meeting on January 8th in Player Hall at 4:00 p.m. with a parent/guardian. Throughout the weekend, we will be led in worship by Andrew Doolittle and look at teachings in 1st & 2nd Peter. 

For questions or any adult interested in chaperoning this trip should contact Andy Morris at amorris@shandon-umc.org. If you are interested in learning about scholarship assistance, please get in touch with Andy Morris.

More info

We look to grow and strengthen the faith of youth through a variety of small and large group experiences. These experiences are centered on educating youth on the principles of our Christian faith.

Worship is the cornerstone of the Christian community and allows us to grow closer to God and enrich our lives in His Word. Teens are encouraged to worship at our Sunday morning services and whichever service feels comfortable for them.

Sunday school is base camp for your faith journey – setting the foundation for discovering God, building friendships, and exploring and growing in Christian faith. Classes are Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:45 a.m. and are filled with engaging studies and inspiring messages for everyday life. Classes are located in the Youth Zone, in the Dunn-Smith Center, second floor.

Junior Highs and Senior Highs get together Sunday evenings from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Sunday Night Live is a great opportunity for youth to hang out, connect, share a meal followed by a devotion or Bible study, and participate in a number of fun activities.

Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30 p.m. youth connect through small group Bible study. Adult leaders guide our youth through relevant studies to prepare them for life’s challenges, going deeper into the Bible and connecting with tangible resources for life today.

In Shandon’s Youth Music Group, teens share their creative gifts and express their faith through music. The group is open to all 6th-12th graders interested in music, both singing and instrumental. They perform during various worship services and for special programs and events. Rehearsals are Sundays from 4:15-5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Rev. Eddie Huss, Minister of Music, at ehuss@shandon-umc.org.

Shandon fully embraces the responsibility and joy of nurturing youth on their faith journeys. Each year our youth lead and participate in Sunday morning worship services for Youth Sunday.

At Shandon, we combine action with our faith. Serving others and making a difference in the lives of others is at the heart of our ministry. We seek to empower youth to lead and serve both at church and within our community to show God’s grace and love.

Service Experiences

Youth participate in monthly service opportunities to help those in need both within our community and outside our community. Epworth Children’s Home, Souper Bowl of Caring, MeadowFeed Meal Program, Salkehatchie Service and Youth Mission Project in Hollywood, SC are a few of our youth signature ministries.

We seek to build a community for youth to share experiences, build close friendships and support each other. Fellowship gatherings are full of engaging and fun events, activities, trips and retreats.

Fellowship Experiences

Trips to Carowinds, Asbury Hills, Revolution: Christian Concert, and the Whitewater Center are just a few of our fun experiences.

Shandon sponsors basketball teams for 2nd-12th graders, providing both children and teens opportunities for Christian sportsmanship. Grade-level teams compete in a local church league during the basketball season, October through late February.

Teens enjoy spending time together, sharing their love of music and praising God through contemporary Christian music. The group is open to all 6th-12th graders. They perform during various worship services, retreats and for special events.

“Scouting is fun, hands-on learning and achievement that puts [youth] in the middle of the action and prepares them for today – and for life.” In a fun, adventure-filled and nurturing environment, Shandon hosts both Cub Scouts for kindergarteners-5th graders and Scouts for 6th-12th graders helping young people develop character, leadership skills and citizenship as well as self-worth. The United Methodist Church long ago recognized that Scouting offers another setting for ministry to children and youth. Troops are open to new Scouts, transferring Scouts and anyone interested in learning more about the Scouting program.

Scout Troop 37 has a rich history. The Scout Charter was initiated April 1, 1948, making the Troop 70+ years old. The Troop is part of the Congaree District and the Indian Waters Council, and is honored that over 130 young people have completed the rank of Eagle Scout while a member of Troop 37. For more information, contact Scoutmaster Jeff Schatz at schatz@sc.edu.