All youth are welcome at Hennepin!
Teenagers in grades 8-12 have a multi-faceted ministry in Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. You’re encouraged to join Youth Director Rick Belbutoski and other adult leaders for a variety of ministries, events, and ways to serve your neighbor in the name of Jesus Christ. Read on to learn about Confirmation, Youth Fellowship, Bread Break meal, and Journey choir rehearsal, plus field trips, service projects, and special events.
Meet Rick Belbutoski >>>
Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries
Join our Group on Facebook > > > “Parents and Friends of HAUMC Youth”
quick links for youth ministries
Email Rick
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youth events
Holiday Donation Opportunity: 
Sunday Morning Small Group
Sundays 10–11 AM | Church of Youth Room
8th–12th Graders
This is a group for youth who are interested in gathering together on Sunday mornings during the 10am Traditional Worship Service. Join us!
Confirmation
Sundays 9–9:45 AM | Church of Youth Room
8th–9th Graders
September–May
Eighth and ninth graders taking part in the confirmation program will meet on Sunday mornings from 9-9:45 in the Church of Youth Room. Confirmation will take place every Sunday morning with the exception of the first Sunday of each month.
Our mission is to help youth feel and share the love of Christ in order to confirm the vows taken at their baptism and become full members of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. Teens will learn something new about Jesus, themselves, and have fun and deepen friendships along the way as we explore ways to tie together faith and everyday life.
In Year A, we focus on The Word, becoming more comfortable, knowledgeable, and practiced with the Bible as a way to get to know God and ourselves. In Year B, we focus on The Church, becoming more comfortable, knowledgeable, and practiced with being a member of the United Methodist Church.
Families who want to be part of Confirmation this year should please contact Youth Director Rick Belbutoski.
UMYF Youth Fellowship
Sundays 5–8 PM | Church of Youth
8th–12th Graders
September–May
On many first and fifth Sundays, we serve at Community Meals
Second Sundays 5–6 PM
Second Sunday ” is all about fun and games. Every month, we dedicate Second Sunday to providing our youth group time to get away from the weekly stresses and just have fun.
All Other Sundays 5–6 PM
Large-group activities (art, videos, games, service, etc.) and LYFE Group-style small group check-in. Youth Group runs from 5–6pm every Sunday in the Church of Youth Room.
6–6:30 PM
Bread Break
We break bread together with a meal, $2 each. Families sign up to bring a meal at SignUpGenius.com.
6:30–7:30 PM
Journey Rehearsal | Choir Room
Directed by Rev. Stephanie Escher, new voices are always welcome!
Journey Choir
Sundays 6:30–7:30 PM | Choir Room
8th-12th Graders
September–May
Journey sings a wide variety of music and offers the gift of its music in worship and in special concerts. The choir is always open to new voices.
Contact Mark Squire, Director of Music and Fine Arts, to get involved.
Special Events
Various Dates | Various Locations
8th–12th Graders
Year-round
• Lock-ins (Timeframes Vary)
• Murder Mystery Party (November)
• Christmas Party (Mid December)
• Ski Trip (President’s Day Weekend)
• Confirmation Retreat (March)
• LYFE Camp (Summer)
youth highlight reels
HIGHLIGHT REEL > > > SERVE MSP: LOCAL JUSTICE MISSION
Serve MSP was a big success this week, as youth from all four United Methodist Churches crisscrossed the cities, loving our neighbors, and bringing a bit of heaven to earth. We packed 400 school supply kits, made blankets, sorted donations, backed meals for kids’ suffering from food insecurity, and raised awareness for the need to keep our waterways clean. Here are some of the great photos from the week you may have missed on social.
Returning to School After 18-Months of Covid Pandemic: A Conversation with Heather Alden and Rick Belbutoski – A Facebook Live interview will air Wednesday, 8/25/21..
Navigating Another Pandemic Summer: A Conversation with Heather Alden and Rick Belbutoski – A Facebook Live interview recorded Wednesday, 7/21/21..
What It Means To Be a Good Ally: A Conversation with Heather Alden and Rick Belbutoski – A Facebook Live interview recorded Wednesday, 6/16/21..
watch > > > Hot Topics:
Mental Health & the Effects of Racial Trauma
Mental Health & the Effects of Racial Trauma: A Conversation with Heather Alden and Rick Belbutoski – A Facebook Live interview recorded Wednesday, 5/12/21..
Supporting Stressed Teens: A Conversation with Heather Alden and Rick Belbutoski – A Facebook Live interview recorded Sunday, 4/11/21..
watch > > > instagram takeover for Women’s History Month: Dana on Arianna Nason
In celebration of March being Women’s History Month, Hennepin Avenue UMC friends are taking over Hennepin’s social media!
watch > > > youth instagram takeover for Black History Month: Ella on Mae Jemison
In celebration of February being Black History Month, Hennepin Youth are taking over Hennepin’s social media!watch > > > live reading of the Rev. Dr. King’s famous “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”
Hennepin Avenue UMC’s clergy, staff and youth invite you to watch their live reading of King’s famous “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”.
Rick Belbutoski, Dir. of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, held a Facebook Live interview with renowned blogger, activist, and poet Hannah L. Drake on the Hennepin Avenue UMC Facebook page on Sunday, 10/25/20.