Helping middle school youth and their churches

experience God’s love

“Discovery Weekend is a curriculum that was formed for middle school students, is led by high school

students, and is supported by adults. It is a wonderful mosaic of the body of Christ through a retreat

experience at home.” –Caroline Hare, Director of Youth Ministry

Destin United Methodist Church

“Discovery Weekend has been the best thing that has happened in our youth ministry in the collective memory of

our church and in my personal experience as a pastor trying to connect with youth. Something much larger than our combined efforts took place on that weekend. We will

reap the benefits of Discovery for years to come.” —Rev. Gary Formby, Florence First United Methodist Church

“Discovery Weekend helped me get to know students in other grades, and it encouraged us

to share diverse thoughts in our groups.” -Connor Edwards, age 12

“Discovery Weekend changed me. I now have a better and stronger relationship with God because

of it. Also, it has changed our church because people from all grades got closer together.”

—Kate Bourlakas, age 13 discovery.upperroom.orgP.O. Box 340004 Nashville, TN 37203-0004

TO LEARN MORE CONTACT:THE DISCOVERY WEEKEND TEAMdiscovery@upperroom.org

877-899-2780discovery.upperroom.org

WHAT IS DISCOVERY WEEKEND? Discovery Weekend is a spiritual formation retreat for middle school youth in the local church. Discovery invites the entire church family to live out the baptismal promise to create a community of love and forgiveness. In this environment, middle school youth can be encouraged to strengthen their faith with foundational Christian teachings and experiences.

WHO IS DISCOVERY WEEKEND FOR? Discovery Weekend is for the entire church family. Middle school youth, no matter where they are on their faith journey, are invited to attend. High school youth lead small groups and worship. Parents share gifts of love, presence, and prayer. Youth leaders provide overall leadership, direction, and supervision of the weekend. Church parishioners serve on the Discovery team. Sunday school classes and small groups provide prayer support, meals, and snacks. Clergy help with teaching, provide spiritual guidance, and, with parental involvement, celebrate baptism.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING DISCOVERY WEEKEND? • Music and worship• Skits, short videos, and meaningful talks about faith and God• Congregational care and love• Free time, serious time, and fun time• Mentoring, small-group sharing, Bible reading, and prayer

Each Discovery Weekend theme manual includes a recommended schedule and provides a program outline with suggested content. However, churches can tailor the retreat weekend to fit their needs.

HOW DOES OUR CHURCH GET STARTED? Discovery Weekend is a new program ministry offered by The Upper Room. To learn more about the transition and about how to offer Discovery Weekend at your church, contact our Discovery team at discovery@upperroom.org or 877-899-2780. We will give you an overview of the program, help you select your theme, and help you order your manual. When your manual arrives, you will build a team, rally support from the church family, and choose your weekend dates.

Discovery Weekend is for any size church seeking to spiritually nourish the lives of its middle school youth and involve the entire church family in doing so. The program can take place any time that works for a church’s calendar and schedule.

discovery.upperroom.orgJOIN US TO DISCOVER WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR YOUR CHURCH THROUGH DISCOVERY WEEKEND!

Discover God’s Love through the Church

Discover God’s Love through Scripture

Discover God’s Gifts: Prayer, Baptism, and Holy Communion

Discovery: Celebrate Life

FOUR THEMES TO CHOOSE FROM: