For over 11 years, the youth ministry at DGFUMC was run by two remarkable people, Nick Nicholas and Belford Hernandez. Nick Nicholas joined our congregation on June 12, 2000, the first day of church camp at Reynolds Wood. Since then, over 400 8th graders have been confirmed in their faith during the Onward Bound program. In addition to church camp, he expanded the number of mission trips each year to include junior, senior and post-high youth. He took the senior high to help rebuild communities from Milwaukee to Pascagoula, and the post-high to build shelters in the Bahamas and restore churches in London and Edinburgh. Locally, he established a particularly close relationship with the community of United Church of Rogers Park.
During this same period, the Chapel Choir was led by Belford Hernandez, a prodigiously talented musician from Venezuela, who was trained in Colombia and Chicago, before joining the music program at Downers Grove South High School. He was as accomplished playing jazz piano with the Worship Band as he was conducting the choir and brought an eclectic range of music to us on Sunday mornings, all played with passion and verve. Along with many wonderful adult leaders, Nick and Belford took the Chapel Choir to NYC, St Simons Island GA, Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, Boston, Wilmington NC, New Orleans, Washington DC, Philadelphia and Toronto.
During their time with us, Nick and Belford touched the lives of all our youth. Many of those that Nick led are now young adults that he keeps in touch with, officiating at many of their weddings and helping to baptize their children. Belford continues as director and piano collaborator for professional and amateur choirs and vocal ensembles throughout the Chicago area, including the local "Cantores" Community Choir.
On December 23, many of the alumni of the DGFUMC youth programs over the last decade gathered in the Open Door to show their appreciation for the years of service that Nick and Belford gave to our church. Below, you can see the slideshow prepared by Nikki Walters and Louise Osborn, that was presented the night of their good-bye party.
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The regular Sunday Night Youth Group Program will be on March 4.
