Year in Review

Transcription

1 Year in Review Sunday Schedule In January 2013 the Youth Ministry began a Sunday morning schedule that included worship and learning opportunities. This schedule helps to increase youth participation in worship and facilitate opportunities for relationship building between youth and other adults in the congregation. The participation of youth in worship also helps the congregation connect to the greater vision of the discipleship and spiritual maturation of the youth. The Sunday morning schedule is as follows: 1 st and 3 rd Sundays 9:30/11:00 Worship & Worship Participation 2 nd, 4 th and 5 th Sundays Youth Group Worship Participation The youth regularly participate in worship throughout the month. The acolytes serve weekly and the youth group worship together twice a month. The youth participate in worship by serving as Communion stewards, greeters, ushers, scripture readers and the Youth Choir. Most importantly, the presence of the youth in worship is vital to the life of the congregation. Sunday Morning Youth Group The Youth Group meets Sundays at 11:00AM in the Bell Tower Room. In 2012, the Junior and Senior High youth met together each week. In January 2013, the Junior High Youth met for Confirmation Classes and the Senior High youth met used Cokesbury s The Way of the Pilgrimage curriculum. The average number of youth participating in the Foundry Youth Group is 18 with 27 youth engaged at least once a month. Youth Fellowship Opportunities The youth gathered throughout the year - February 3 Super Bowl Party - April 7 Pizza & Envelope Decorating Party - May 5 Cinco de Mayo Party with Metropolitan UMC Youth - May Confirmation Retreat - June 9 Senior Sunday Potluck Confirmation Confirmation took place on Sunday, May 19 with 12 Confirmands joining the church. Over the three month Confirmation period, the Confirmands were led in study, fellowship and retreat by 8 mentors. Mission Fundraising and Service Opportunities In the summer of 2011 conversations began regarding Foundry youth participating in international mission opportunities, especially in Turkey. After years of conversation, planning and identifying leaders, a group of Foundry youth and adult volunteers will travel to Turkey in August In addition, Foundry youth and adult volunteers participated in 2 domestic mission trips. ASP 13 youth/6 adult volunteers Harvest of Hope 10 youth/2 adult volunteers AFS Turkey 3 youth/3 adult volunteers Through a new fundraising strategy, over $21,000 was raised to support the 2013 youth mission opportunities. Parent & Volunteer Meetings The engagement of youth volunteers and parents is imperative in the efforts of having a thriving and vibrant youth program. Foundry s Director of Challenging Study Ministries and Chief Program Officer met with parents and volunteers throughout the year for listening, strategic planning and visioning purposes. - Monday, August 13, Sunday, September 16, Sunday, November 18, Saturday, December 1, Sunday, February 24,

2 Celebrations - Recruited 8 Confirmation mentors - First time offsite Confirmation retreat at West River - 320% increase in Youth Mission fundraising efforts when compared to Recruited first time Junior High youth missions volunteer - 2 new/visiting youth participated in ASP - 3 first-time Foundry youth participated in ASP - Increased engagement with youth in worship - Increase ministry opportunity with Youth Choir in worship - Weekly communications with youth and parents - Youth Summit with Dr. Joyce Mercer Growing Edges - Recruitment of Junior and Senior High Sunday morning adult volunteers - Strengthen relationships with parents - More intentionality in building relationship between youth and the larger congregation 2

3 Youth Ministry Overview Plan Sunday Schedule The Youth schedule will remain the same for the program year. The schedule is as followed: 1 st and 3 rd Sundays 9:30/11:00 Worship & Worship Participation 2 nd, 4 th and 5 th Sundays Youth Group Worship Participation The youth will continue to participate in worship by serving as Communion stewards, greeters, ushers, scripture readers, Youth Choir and by using their various gifts in ministry. The presence and engagement of the youth in worship is vital to the life of the congregation. Sunday Morning Youth Group Senior High Will meet in the Bell Tower Room and continue exploring Cokesbury s The Way of the Pilgrimage curriculum. Junior High Will meet in B1 and begin Cokesbury s Dwell Dive curriculum. The groups will come together once a quarter to discuss upcoming events and to plan. Youth Sunday Youth Sunday & Mission Report Back Luncheon will take place September 29. This will be an opportunity for the youth lead us in worship and to give in-depth presentations about their mission experiences. Our hopes is that this will be an avenue of continued engaged with the youth and congregation regarding Youth Ministry and Mission. Youth Fellowship Opportunities - 2 Lock-Ins in the Fall/Winter o Junior High Lock-In: October 19 at 7PM o Senior High Lock-In: October 26 at 7PM - 2 Retreats in the Spring o Confirmation Retreat o Attend Rock 2014*** January 30 February 2, 2014 Registration begins October 15, Monthly Fellowship Opportunities o September 8 Welcome Back Pool Party o October 6 Fall Festival o November 3 Bowling Party o December 8 Christmas Party Confirmation 2014 Confirmation classes will begin in February 2014 and culminate on Pentecost Sunday, June 8. Mission Fundraising and Service Opportunities Fundraising will begin Sunday, March 16 and continue for 4 weeks. The mission trips will be Harvest of Hope, ASP and AFS Turkey. 3

4 Sunday Morning Youth Schedule 1 st & 3 rd Sundays 11:00 - Noon Worship & Worship Participation - Acolytes - Communion Stewards - Ushers/Greeters - Scripture Readers - Youth Choir - Art in Ministry 2 nd, 4 th & 5 th Sundays 11:00 - Noon Youth Learning & Fellowship - Bible Study - Topic/Theme Study - Ministry planning - Confirmation Classes - Youth Choir Rehearsal - Mission Meetings - Art in Ministry Rehearsal - Other Ministry area engagement Youth Choir & Weekly Ministries 12:15-1:00PM Teaching Outlines/Curriculum In the youth will use the following Cokesbury curriculum: Senior High - The Way of Pilgrimage: An Adventure in Spiritual Formation for the Next Generation Junior High - Dwell Dive Financial Plan - The Youth Ministry program budget will increase $2,000 for Fundraiser Strategy - We will continue the 200 Envelope Campaign in This campaign proved successful in 2013 with the congregation exceeding the $20,100 goal Total funds raised: $5, Total fees collected: $2, Total funds raised: $6,917 Total fees collected: $1, Total funds raised: $11, ($1925 for APS in memory of Vivian Kirk) Total Fees collected: $2,560 Parent & Volunteer Meetings It is imperative that we continue to have conversations with parents and volunteers as we continue to vision and strategize around how to have a vibrant and thriving youth ministry at Foundry. - Sunday, August 25 Youth Ministry Team Planning Meeting - Sunday, September 8 Parent & Youth Meeting/Welcome Back Celebration - Sunday, October 13 Parent meeting with Rev. Dr. Joyce Mercer - December (Date TBD) Planning Meeting 4

5 Youth Ministry: Best Practices Rev. Dr. Joyce Ann Mercer, Professor of Practical Theology Virginia Theological Seminary 1. Youth ministry is owned by the whole congregation as one of its vital ministries. a. Many adult participants from the congregation alongside designated youth minister. b. Activities (mission/service, fellowship, learning, etc.) as part of the full life of the church, not a separate parallel track of the church. c. The congregation prays for its youth ministry and for young people. 2. Youth participate regularly in worship. 3. There are opportunities for youth to offer their gifts (leadership, music, etc.) within the life of the congregation. 4. Congregational planning keeps young people and youth ministry in mind: e.g., If we do x, how will the youth participate? ; If this event happens here, how does that impact the youth ministry? 5. Adults and young people know one another. 6. Persons designated for particular roles (e.g., youth minister, adult sponsors/leaders) receive support and training for their ministry. 7. The articulated and implicit purposes of youth ministry fit those of the ministry and mission of the congregation as a whole. Principles: RESPECT for youth as persons, and as part of the people of God RESPONSIBILITY to listen for the needs of young people, to care for and support them APPRECIATION for the unique visions and contributions of young people to the life of the church WELCOME AND INCLUSION of youth in their diversity 5