1st YOUTH

We are a community devoted to God, excited to serve, open to new and different people, and eager to make anything fun.

 

(No Youth Fellowship on November 15th due to rain)

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP RETURNS

Youth are meeting outside at the Friendship Shelter from 6:30pm-7:30pm every Sunday night.  Youth Fellowship looks a little different than it has in the past. We will have to wear masks and social distance, and we will not serve food. But despite the difference, we will have fun and get to see each other again.


WHAT TO BRING:

  • 1. Mask or face covering
  • 2. Folding chair
  • 3. Note card with name of those in attendance from your household with updated contact info (for contact tracing)


DO NOT ATTEND IF:

  • You feel ill or are experiencing any cold like symptoms
  • You do not feel comfortable or safe with in-person gatherings


We will be following all safety protocols provided by the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church, and want you to know that the health of our youth is of utmost importance to us. Masks will be provided if participants do not have their own and sanitizer will be available.


If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Nathan at nirwin@1stchurch.org.




For more information on 1st Youth and how to get involved: 

  • Contact Nathan Irwin (Director of 1st Youth Ministries) at 982-1273 
  • Use our online contact form
  • Sign up here for email alerts from 1st Youth
  • Download the Remind App and join the group @1stumyouth
  • Text @1stumyouth to the number 81010



Scroll down for a look at upcoming opportunities for youth fellowship.


YOUTH LEADERS


  • Rev. Nathan Irwin

    • Director of Youth Ministries at 1st UMC.
    • BA in Religious Studies, University of South Florida
    • MA in Christian Ministry, Asbury Seminary

    Nathan has been a Youth Minister for nearly a decade, and hopes to stay in the game for a lot longer. He has been married to Crystal for 11 years and they have two kids. Isaac is 8 and Alara is 5.  They live in Springbrook, and have an old cat named Norris. Nathan likes to read, watch football and Netflix, alpine ski, fish, and take naps. He could eat pizza for every meal and his spirit animal is a donkey.

  • cathy finney

    Cathy is a mother of three grown children. She began regularly volunteering with the Youth when her youngest was 16, about 12 years ago. Cathy taught Special Education at Maryville High School for 18 years, including 10 years in the alternative schools.

    She retired from there and now teaches English Language Learners (ESL) at Whittle Springs Middle School in Knoxville half days. 


    This is Cathy's fourth year doing that.

    An interesting fact about Cathy, is that she lived in Belgium and the Congo for a while as a child because her parents were missionaries for one term. She still keeps up with some of the “missionary kids” she knew back then.   

  • John Kerr

    John lives on a farm in Rockford where he raises cattle. He was a teacher for over forty years, most recently teaching English and coaching boys and girls soccer at Maryville High School. He enjoys playing the guitar and singing.  Over the years, he has worked with the youth at 1st on Sunday nights and has been a chaperone at both Resurrection and Assembly.

  • beth kyburz

    Beth Kyburz is excited to be working with our youth. She is a School Counselor at Carter Middle School, and she has worked with children, youth and families for over 20 years. Her son Adam recently graduated from high school and loved his time with the 1st UMC youth group.


    During this time, she helped with youth group meetings, chaperoned the Resurrection trip, and even learned how to drive the church bus. She enjoys traveling, reading, going to the theater, and kayaking. She is looking forward to getting to know our youth even better, and is very excited to be part of Echo groups.

  • Phil Wilks

    Retired teacher and coach:
    • Chesapeake High School in Ohio
    • Marshall University in WV
    • Oxford College at Emory University
    • Georgetown University
    • Wofford College
    • Maryville College
    • Powell High School


    Phil  is married and has 5 adult children. He  served as the head football coach at Maryville College from 1988-2002. Over his career Phil has taught grades 1 through college mostly teaching physical education and driver’s ed. Phil is active at 1st UMC in many adult bible studies and Celebrate Recovery and is excited to work with our youth.