Confirmations in 2021? Maybe ...
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A great deal of uncertainty remains as we try to anticipate a timeline in our abilities to regather, but with the vaccines rolling out and the weather improving, the bishops have begun hoping that in fact, they MAY be able to confirm people beginning in late-summer or perhaps throughout the fall. Nothing is certain, but there is hope.
Among the possibilities to be explored is to find one or two locations in each of our three regions, perhaps holding multiple services in each location each day--thereby maximizing the bishops' availability while accommodating as many confirmands as possible. For health reasons and for liturgical reasons, nobody wants to plan a few massive services. But what alternatives might we come up with?
And again, these are only possibilities. We need to continue to monitor the progress of the pandemic, and any plans made will be made with the input from youth workers and families, and subject to final confirmation from the bishops. The continued uncertainty may be maddening for some of you, for your confirmands, and for their families, but we wanted to let you know that there is HOPE.
As we explore this possibility and put together a recommendation for the bishops, we want your help:
- Do you have confirmands "ready to go," waiting, either from last year or this? We would love to hear from you an approximate number. This will help us assess the scale of this endeavor.
- Are you willing to be part of a small planning team, to attend a couple of meetings to explore with us some creative solutions that will have liturgical eloquence, health-conscious logistics, and use the small bit of bishops' availability to accommodate the large number of confirmands expected.
If the answer to either of these (or both of these) is "yes," please contact H. Mark Smith as soon as possible so we can get going on trying to figure this out!
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Calling All Alums:
Episcopal Youth Event Research Project
Last summer's Episcopal Youth Event/Evento de Jóvenes Episcopales was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Episcopal Church Office of Youth Ministries has been taking the unasked-for rest time to pause and reflect on what EYE has been in the 40 years since its origin, and what it might be in the future.
And they need your help! If you have attended EYE in the past, as a mentor or a participant, if you know an EYE alum or a parent or guardian of one, please take a few moments to fill out a survey sharing all you remember about your EYE experience. In addition, we would ask you to pass the survey along to anyone you know who might be able to share their own experience.
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Registration is open for Family Camp this July at BCH Camp and Conference Center! Families (or pods) will have the option to stay in cabins or private lodge rooms, and will get to participate in intergenerational activites, an outdoor Eucharist on Sunday mornings, and more! For more information, dates, prices, and to register, visit BCH's website! |
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Updates to the Online Youth Worker Gathering
In place of our usual Youth Worker Gathering on the third Thursday of the month, we encourage you to check out the Episcopal Youth Ministry Network's Youth Worker meeting, open to anyone serving on the parish, diocesan, provincial, or regional level of Youth Ministry. The zoom information for this month's meeting, on Thursday, March 15 at 1pm EST, can be found below.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 972 0062 2680
Passcode: 049865
So as not to conflict with future meetings, our regular Thursday afternoon Zoom calls will be moving to the first Thursday of the month at 3pm. Our next meeting, on Thursday, May 6, will focus on plans and ideas for socially distanced spring and summer gatherings you may be planning, and on possible confirmation services this fall. (See related article above.) To suggest topics for future youth ministry sessions, or to volunteer to demonstrate a game or activity or lead a discussion, contact the Rev. H. Mark Smith, Diocesan Youth Missioner.
Children’s Formation online gatherings are offered twice a month. For suggestions for the children’s formation sessions, contact Martha Gardner, Missioner for Networks and Formation.
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Resources for Youth Ministry |
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Youth in Leadership:
A Video Series from the Diocese of Atlanta
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Check out the pilot episode of Youth In Leadership, an interview series with youth leaders in the Diocese of Atlanta. In this first episode, Arianna Cantillo, the Intern for Digital Media, interviews Bailey Toms, a high school senior, on topics of leadership, faith, and ministry in troubled times. We highly recommend this video and are looking forward to future installments!
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Please note: The unsubscribe link below will remove you automatically from other diocesan mailing lists. If you would like to be removed from the Youth Ministry News distribution, but continue to receive other communications, please e-mail the Rev. H. Mark Smith.
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