CLARKS SUMMIT — Giddy laughter and screams filled the fellowship hall at Clarks Summit United Methodist Church on Sunday night.
A small group of teens and children raced to guess movie titles based on emojis. They sang as popular song titles flashed on a television screen.
Members of Evolve youth group participate in activities weekly. The growing group is open to children in grades five to 12.
Members of three United Methodist churches in the Abingtons comprise the group: Clarks Summit United Methodist Church, Countryside Community Church in Newton Twp. and Lake Winola United Methodist Church. A few youth participants are also part of Clarks Green United Methodist Church.
Church leaders see the meetings, which take place at different churches, as a way for the individual congregations to come together to help young people grow in their faith and to have fun.
Lauren Miller created the group three years ago when she and her husband Rev. Adam Miller came to the region in 2024. Rev. Miller is pastor of Clarks Summit United Methodist Church and Clarks Green United Methodist Church.
Lauren Miller, a youth pastor in the United Methodist Church since 2015, attributes the group’s formation to divine intervention.
“It was a total God thing,” she said.
Member Zoey Kinney,c 16, of South Abington Twp. came up with the name as a way to represent the members growing in their faith. The logo features a green tree.
“It was a mouthful to keep on saying all three churches,” Lauren Miller said. “It just brings unity and togetherness, which we all agree on.”
Iva Giardinelli, a member of Evolve youth group, gives a thumbs up during a game at a meeting of the group Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
The logo and name of the Evolve youth group is seen on a T-shirt during the group’s meeting Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
(Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Evolve leaders Mary Pelkowski, left, a youth group volunteer, and Lauren Miller, community youth director, lead the group in a game during their meeting Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Evolve youth group member Zoey Kinney reacts during a discussion at the group’s meeting Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
(Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Evolve member Holly James writes down a response to a question during the group’s meeting Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Members of the Evolve youth group write on a whiteboard during their meeting Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Evolve members Cameron Kerrigan, left, and Holly James search through their Bibles during the group’s meeting Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Evolve leaders Mary Pelkowski, left, a youth group volunteer, and Lauren Miller, community youth director, respond during a game the group participated in during their meeting Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
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Iva Giardinelli, a member of Evolve youth group, gives a thumbs up during a game at a meeting of the group Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
The group meets weekly and participates in events monthly, such as pumpkin picking, bowling and volunteering at senior centers and Indraloka Animal Sanctuary. Meetings typically consist of discussions about and reading the Bible and games. Lauren Miller also meets with them at a local restaurant every few months, which she said is a good way to get to know them outside regular meetings. They fundraise for larger outings, such as a trip to Knoebels Amusement Park.
The activities typically draw about 25 children. Recent meetings at Lake Winola and Countryside Community churches had their largest attendance in more than a year, Miller said, with between eight and 10 in attendance at both churches.
Annalyn Butala of South Abington Twp. came the group two years ago as a way to support her friend, Holly James, who attends Clarks Summit United Methodist Church. She is glad she did so.
“I really like being here,” said Annalyn, 13. “Being here with my friends, too.”
They like how fun the group is, doing different activities every week, having civil discussions and feeling welcome. Zoey sees it as a way for youth like her to grow in their faith.
“Your faith makes up who you are, and what you do as a person and how you act to people,” she said.
Miller said events like pumpkin picking are a good way to get youths to join because they can bring friends. Some youth have come into the group that way.
“I feel like activities is what brings the youth in,” Lauren Miller said. “If you don’t have activities, then they’re not gonna be excited to come.”
Lauren Miller loves that the children are engaged and work well together, especially because they attend school together. She enjoys being part of their faith journey.
“Honestly, when the three churches come together, you know they’re from the same school district, but in the same breath, it’s really nice to see those relationships being formed as well,” she said. “They are why I do what I do. They bring light to everything and they’re glowing right now.”
Miller is hopeful the group will not only grow in numbers, but the youth participants will also grow in their faith.
Adam Miller likes how collaborative the group is.
“We’re sharing that across three congregations, and so it moves it from just one church selfishly holding it to being able to use it as an opportunity for three churches to collaborate and grow together,” he said.