SALISBURY — First United Methodist Church and Milford Hills United Methodist Church are announcing the launch of a new joint youth ministry, the United Methodist Youth Connection.
This connectional ministry has been created to combine our resources and provide more opportunities for local youth in the 6th through 12th grades. Its purpose is to promote long-term faith development, support personal growth, and encourage involvement in the community. The ministry will serve the youth of these churches as well as welcoming other youth connected to other United Methodist and other churches throughout the wider community.
Vera Smith has been named the director of the United Methodist Youth Connection. Since 2023, she has been serving as director of youth, young adults and children’s ministries at Milford Hills UMC, and has had more than 10 years of experience in youth ministry. In those years, she has created thriving youth ministries, family events, local service projects, retreats and both local and international mission trips.
“Our congregations decided to move forward with this opportunity after deep prayer, discussions and a careful assessment of ministry needs,” said Rev. Dr. Jason Harvey of First UMC and Rev. Jim Parsons of Milford Hills UMC in a joint statement. “Our connectional system and partnership will allow us to offer high-quality ministry and enable us to act as wise stewards of our resources in order to have a lasting impact on the youth of our congregations and community.”
Smith is currently a candidate for ordination as a deacon in the United Methodist Church and is pursuing her Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School. In this new role, she will take turns serving at both churches, assisting with the weekly worship services, the weekly youth programs and also working to building connections with the wider community.
The weekly youth meetings will begin officially with a Youth Family Night on Sunday, Aug. 16, from 5-6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall at First UMC. It will be a good chance for the young people and their parents/guardians to find out more about this new ministry and to get to know each other. The locations for the Sunday evening meetings will alternate between First UMC and Milford Hills UMC on a monthly basis.
Anyone who would like to know more about this United Methodist Youth Connection, contact Smith at vera@milfordhillsumc.org.
