We’re looking for volunteers like you.
As we move into the new year, we're beginning the search for new teen ministry volunteers. These volunteers would begin training this spring by shadowing the teen ministry team. We're looking for people over 20 (or one year removed from youth group if they are a former FUMCCV teen) to help with all of our teen ministry endeavors.
Here are the volunteer roles we're trying to fill:
Wednesday Night Small Group Volunteer: This volunteer would spend the spring shadowing our team work in small groups, leading activities, and discussions. Our goal is that this group will lead our middle school group in the Fall.
Sunday Morning Volunteer: This volunteer would help lead activities on Sunday mornings and occasionally lead lessons. They would also help with confirmation in the Fall, so someone in this role should be a confirmed UMC member (Confirmed or have gone through orientation 101).
Large Event & Fundraising Volunteer: We're looking for someone to help plan/decorate large events (Valentine's party, Summer beach/pool days, Christmas, etc.) and lead fundraising initiatives. This could look like a spaghetti dinner, pancake breakfast, bake sales, or whatever your brain can come up with...
If you're interested, click the apply now button. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Aries (aries.ramirez@fumccv.org).
Youth ministry is about showing up for teens exactly as they are and walking with them as they grow. The teen years can be confusing, exciting, messy, and meaningful all at once, and we believe God is present in all of it. Our teen ministry is a place where every young person is welcome and valued.
Teens don’t need to have everything figured out, believe a certain way, or fit a specific mold to belong here. Whether someone is new to faith, questioning faith, in the lgbtq+ community, neurodivergent, deeply spiritual, unsure, or anywhere in between, there is space for them.
We focus on building real relationships rooted in trust, care, and curiosity, walking alongside teens as they move from childhood into young adulthood while honoring their questions, identities, gifts, and desire to make a difference in the world.
Where Every Teen Belongs.
Check out our 2025-2026 calendar for our most up-to-date meetings and events!
See what we’re up to on our FUMCCV Teens instagram!
Are you a teen, parent, or possible volunteer? Get connected to our teen ministry.
A Week in Teen Ministry
Ignite Sundays
WHO: All teens are invited!
WHAT: A moment to ignite a conversation about the day’s sermon and how it can be applied to real life.
WHEN: 10:30a-12:00p most Sundays
WHERE: The youth room @ fumccv
Check out our Instagram (@fumccvteens) or our Youth Group Chat to check for cancellations/rescheduled dates. NOTE: Summer Programming differs from this schedule
Teen Life Group
WHO: Teens interested in a Christian Youth Life Group Community
WHAT: A Wednesday night meetup that explores all aspects of being a Christian, bible study, and how to live a faithful life.
WHEN: 6:30p-8:00p most Wednesdays
WHERE: The youth room @ fumccv
Retreats, Missions, & Camps
Winter, Fall, and Summer events are planned each year. This is a perfect opportunity for the youth and adult leaders to get away from the routines of everyday life and focus on building strong relationships with Christ and developing the skills to bring the Christian message to their peers.
Annual trips are listed below (dates change depending on the year).
Confirmation Day Retreat: January 10th, 2026
Mexico Mission Trip: January 15-19, 2026
Cost: w/o Fundraising~$400
Spring Retreat:
2026 Jr./Sr. High Summer Camp: TBD
2026 Counselor in Training @ Camp: TBD
Fall Retreat:
Winter Retreat: Christmas Lock-In
Summer Programming
During the summer, we step away from the typical Sunday youth group & Wednesday life group. We focus on Sunday Summer Bonfires, fair outings, and Water Wednesday! There are also so many opportunities to get out there and volunteer, get work experience, and become even closer to God.
Be a Summer Camp Counselor
High School Teens going into 10th grade and up are invited to participate as Camp Counselors at Camp Cedar Glen! This is an excellent way to build leadership skills through the Cedar Glen C-I-T training program, which prepares our teens to lead groups of elementary-age kids through their week at camp. Look for more info in early 2026!
Lead at Vacation Bible School
Our teens take on leadership roles as Vacation Bible School counselors every year. Our teens make up many of our counselors every year at VBS and truly exemplify what it means to be young Christian leaders in our community. If you’re interested in this opportunity for your teen, look for more info around May 2026!
Quick Links
Join Our Group
Fill out an interest form to get connected to our programs.
Donate to Us
See our Amazon wishlist and help us get materials and snacks for the youth room.
Calendar
See the most up-to-date calendar to help you stay connected.
Let us answer your questions.
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We wholeheartedly embrace and accept LGBTQ+ youth as members of our community. We believe that we are all wonderfully made in the image of God, no matter our sexual orientation or gender identity. As a reconciling church, we hope to provide this community with a safe and affirming space where they can be their most authentic selves.
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While we do meet during the 9:30 service, we do encourage teens and their families to attend the 11 am service! As a group, we attend the 9:30 service together on the first Sunday of each month to participate in communion.
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Our youth group meets almost every Sunday and Wednesday during the school year except for breaks, weeks of other activities, and other one-off changes in plan.
During the summer, we move to our Summer Programming, which can be found above.
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Interested in volunteering with the Youth Group? We are currently looking for adult volunteers who have a heart for middle school and/or high school students. Or for more information on Youth Ministry programming and activities please get in touch with our Director of Youth Ministry, Aries Ramirez (aries.ramirez@fumccv.org)
About Our Leaders
Aries Ramirez has worked at FUMCCV for almost four years, initially starting as the Missions & Community Outreach intern through the Elijah Collective Internship Program with SDSU. Over his life, he’s worked with children and youth in different roles such as summer camp counselor at the San Diego Museum of Man, Children’s Ministry Assistant at MHUMC, and at his Childhood Church Youth Ministry Office. He graduated from San Diego State University in 2021 and took on a full-time role at the church as the Office Manager, later transitioning to Director of Youth Ministry. In his free time, he loves cooking food from around the world, talking music with friends, spending time with his wife and their dogs, and attending music festivals.
Aries Ramirez, Director of Youth Ministry
Nicolette Molina-Madril, Teen Ministry Volunteer
Nicolette is a member of our church who is involved in a variety of ministry areas outside of just Teen Ministry. She leads a life group at our church and serves as a coordinator at our annual Interfaith Rotational Shelter. While she’s not at youth group, she enjoys spending time with her wife and their puppies, playing board games, and watching one of her many favorite Marvel movies. She’s passionate about serving our teens and helping them grow as individuals in their faith and as humans in the world.
As a former Youth Minister, Rev. Brian Parcel is one of the best assets to our Teen Ministry. Although he only has the opportunity to meet with our teens occasionally, he is a strong advocate for them, becoming the leaders he knows they can be. He works with the Camping Ministry to ensure our students can attend each year with a scholarship and to give them the opportunity to serve as Counselors in Training, where they lead Elementary-age students in their camping experience. He’s the father of two young adults making their way through college and loves spending time with his wife, Darin.
Rev. Brian Parcel, Lead Pastor