Anonymous
Post 09/18/2025 23:30     Subject: Re:Youth group in Bethesda
Youth groups are dying out these days, less so in the more conservative churches (e.g. Fourth Presbyterian).

Bethesda United Methodist and Bradley Hills Presbyterian both have youth groups that are on the smaller side. The summer service trips are popular though.
Anonymous
Post 09/08/2025 23:12     Subject: Youth group in Bethesda
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Fourth Pres on River Rd (Evangelical Presbyterian, Calvinist tradition)

River Road UU (Unitarian - not religious)

St. John's Norwood on Wisconsin Ave (Episcopal)



Any UU church is very open while still being technically religious.


But also not Christian, though OP didn’t specifically say it needed to be.
Anonymous
Post 09/08/2025 20:20     Subject: Youth group in Bethesda
Grace Episcopal in Silver Spring is a bit farther but a lovely community. Welcome to the area!
Anonymous
Post 09/08/2025 17:40     Subject: Youth group in Bethesda
Anonymous wrote:Fourth Pres on River Rd (Evangelical Presbyterian, Calvinist tradition)

River Road UU (Unitarian - not religious)

St. John's Norwood on Wisconsin Ave (Episcopal)



Any UU church is very open while still being technically religious.
Anonymous
Post 09/08/2025 16:39     Subject: Youth group in Bethesda
Fourth Pres on River Rd (Evangelical Presbyterian, Calvinist tradition)

River Road UU (Unitarian - not religious)

St. John's Norwood on Wisconsin Ave (Episcopal)

Anonymous
Post 09/08/2025 16:33     Subject: Youth group in Bethesda
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We recently moved here to the Bethesda area from the Midwest and are exploring churches. Attended an Episcopalian church but we are open to other denominations (Presbyterian, UU), mostly looking for a strong community with an inspiring service.

Most important criterion though is a youth group. 16 yo DD attended a youth group where we lived and loved it, though she is actually not very religious, mostly just liked the community.

Are there any churches in the Bethesda area with a strong, active youth group?


Right - who cares about the denomination? Location and great a youth group are more important. Especially if you're not very religious.


I think it’s great that this family is focused on helping their teen find a congenial community of peers —beyond a school setting. Many Protestants aren’t wedded to particular denominations, and location and a welcoming spiritual community matter more to many of us then a particular denomination. I’m applauding this family for actively seeking out a positive community for their teen. I’m sorry that I don’t have specific suggestions— since I’m not familiar with churches in Bethesda.


I'd look into D&D clubs
Anonymous
Post 09/08/2025 16:29     Subject: Re:Youth group in Bethesda
St John's, at the corner of Bradley and Wisconsin, is a friendly Episcopal Church with an active youth group. The culture at St John's is very open to folks coming from other Christian denominations. It's really a lovely community.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2025 15:46     Subject: Youth group in Bethesda
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We recently moved here to the Bethesda area from the Midwest and are exploring churches. Attended an Episcopalian church but we are open to other denominations (Presbyterian, UU), mostly looking for a strong community with an inspiring service.

Most important criterion though is a youth group. 16 yo DD attended a youth group where we lived and loved it, though she is actually not very religious, mostly just liked the community.

Are there any churches in the Bethesda area with a strong, active youth group?


Right - who cares about the denomination? Location and great a youth group are more important. Especially if you're not very religious.


I think it’s great that this family is focused on helping their teen find a congenial community of peers —beyond a school setting. Many Protestants aren’t wedded to particular denominations, and location and a welcoming spiritual community matter more to many of us then a particular denomination. I’m applauding this family for actively seeking out a positive community for their teen. I’m sorry that I don’t have specific suggestions— since I’m not familiar with churches in Bethesda.


Not Bethesda — but reasonably close. OP, two churches that might have strong youth programs are the National Presbyterian Church and St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. Both have services online — which might help you get a sense of their church cultures.

https://nationalpres.org/connect/youth/


https://stalbansdc.org/youth/



Anonymous
Post 09/03/2025 15:02     Subject: Youth group in Bethesda
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We recently moved here to the Bethesda area from the Midwest and are exploring churches. Attended an Episcopalian church but we are open to other denominations (Presbyterian, UU), mostly looking for a strong community with an inspiring service.

Most important criterion though is a youth group. 16 yo DD attended a youth group where we lived and loved it, though she is actually not very religious, mostly just liked the community.

Are there any churches in the Bethesda area with a strong, active youth group?


Right - who cares about the denomination? Location and great a youth group are more important. Especially if you're not very religious.


I think it’s great that this family is focused on helping their teen find a congenial community of peers —beyond a school setting. Many Protestants aren’t wedded to particular denominations, and location and a welcoming spiritual community matter more to many of us then a particular denomination. I’m applauding this family for actively seeking out a positive community for their teen. I’m sorry that I don’t have specific suggestions— since I’m not familiar with churches in Bethesda.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2025 14:50     Subject: Youth group in Bethesda
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We recently moved here to the Bethesda area from the Midwest and are exploring churches. Attended an Episcopalian church but we are open to other denominations (Presbyterian, UU), mostly looking for a strong community with an inspiring service.

Most important criterion though is a youth group. 16 yo DD attended a youth group where we lived and loved it, though she is actually not very religious, mostly just liked the community.

Are there any churches in the Bethesda area with a strong, active youth group?


Right - who cares about the denomination? Location and great a youth group are more important. Especially if you're not very religious.


NP, why do you have to be so judgmental? The OP is looking for a faith based community with vibrant youth participation. There is nothing wrong with that. If you don’t know of a good fit continue scrolling.
Anonymous
Post 09/03/2025 14:44     Subject: Youth group in Bethesda
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We recently moved here to the Bethesda area from the Midwest and are exploring churches. Attended an Episcopalian church but we are open to other denominations (Presbyterian, UU), mostly looking for a strong community with an inspiring service.

Most important criterion though is a youth group. 16 yo DD attended a youth group where we lived and loved it, though she is actually not very religious, mostly just liked the community.

Are there any churches in the Bethesda area with a strong, active youth group?


OP, check out Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda. Also, not in Bethesda but very close is National Presbyterian in NW DC. Both have strong and active youth groups.


Interesting recommendation for someone who is "not very religious" and from a liberal faith tradition. I am doubtful that this will be their new home.
Anonymous
Post 08/24/2025 19:04     Subject: Youth group in Bethesda
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We recently moved here to the Bethesda area from the Midwest and are exploring churches. Attended an Episcopalian church but we are open to other denominations (Presbyterian, UU), mostly looking for a strong community with an inspiring service.

Most important criterion though is a youth group. 16 yo DD attended a youth group where we lived and loved it, though she is actually not very religious, mostly just liked the community.

Are there any churches in the Bethesda area with a strong, active youth group?


OP, check out Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda. Also, not in Bethesda but very close is National Presbyterian in NW DC. Both have strong and active youth groups.


Thank you!
Anonymous
Post 08/24/2025 14:42     Subject: Youth group in Bethesda
Anonymous wrote:We recently moved here to the Bethesda area from the Midwest and are exploring churches. Attended an Episcopalian church but we are open to other denominations (Presbyterian, UU), mostly looking for a strong community with an inspiring service.

Most important criterion though is a youth group. 16 yo DD attended a youth group where we lived and loved it, though she is actually not very religious, mostly just liked the community.

Are there any churches in the Bethesda area with a strong, active youth group?


OP, check out Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda. Also, not in Bethesda but very close is National Presbyterian in NW DC. Both have strong and active youth groups.
Anonymous
Post 08/24/2025 14:34     Subject: Youth group in Bethesda
Anonymous wrote:We recently moved here to the Bethesda area from the Midwest and are exploring churches. Attended an Episcopalian church but we are open to other denominations (Presbyterian, UU), mostly looking for a strong community with an inspiring service.

Most important criterion though is a youth group. 16 yo DD attended a youth group where we lived and loved it, though she is actually not very religious, mostly just liked the community.

Are there any churches in the Bethesda area with a strong, active youth group?


Right - who cares about the denomination? Location and great a youth group are more important. Especially if you're not very religious.
Anonymous
Post 08/24/2025 11:49     Subject: Youth group in Bethesda
We recently moved here to the Bethesda area from the Midwest and are exploring churches. Attended an Episcopalian church but we are open to other denominations (Presbyterian, UU), mostly looking for a strong community with an inspiring service.

Most important criterion though is a youth group. 16 yo DD attended a youth group where we lived and loved it, though she is actually not very religious, mostly just liked the community.

Are there any churches in the Bethesda area with a strong, active youth group?