Youth Corner for February

Another preview!

As we begin our discernment process for youth ministry, I continue to welcome not only input, but prayer for the Spirit’s influence in the development of our Youth Ministry program. This is an opportunity for us to gather all of our resources together to determine the best means of moving forward. This means that we should learn about what we “used to do” and what we’ve seen “work” somewhere else. But it is also the opportunity for us to say what we like and what we would want. It is a time to determine what is best for the spiritual development of the specific generations represented in our youth program.

Most of us have at least a little bit of knowledge about generation stuff. We know about Baby Boomers and the World War II generation (or ‘The Greatest Generation’ according to Tom Brokaw) and Generation X. Most of us know that today’s teenagers and early twentysomethings are Millenials (formerly Gen Y). Our infants and toddlers and grade-schoolers represent another generation entirely that has yet to find its voice, let alone a name! In church, like the world around us, we like to talk about people as if not only every 15 year-old were the same, but that every 15 year-old is always the same and has always been the same. Boy, could that be further from the truth!

And this isn’t really about “society today” or the supposed “erosion of the public school system” or any specific external event. This is about an environment that has formed a group of people to be individuals that are different from, bur recognizable in their parents. That is why our efforts should be about appealing to these two generations, in whatever way we can. As a Gen Xer, I don’t buy into the things that are attempts to ‘win’ or woo me in a particular direction, but I want to know that I have a stake in the game. Many Millenials have presupposed that stake.

Regardless of the generation to which you belong, I ask that you join me in seeing each of our youngest members as truly that: full members and participants in the life of this parish that is doing the incredible and difficult work of supposing that they may do the work of God as revealed in Jesus Christ.

Upcoming:

Winter Retreat 2008 on February 9^th-10^th: open to 3^rd-8^th graders.

• We’ll be sledding and swimming and hanging out in Portland, MI.

Holding our World in Prayer on February 22^nd- 23^rd.

• A diocesan workshop that will be held at St. David’s. Appropriate for many of our youth and something that should have high participation by the host congregation.

Nightwatch: Sr. High on March 29^th -30^th.

• I’m awaiting updated information about this, but the Sr. High Nightwatch is looking to be in Chicago this year.