Diocesan Youth Council 2020-2021:
A New Youth Council
for a New Time
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Please help recruit young people ready to step up—or be raised up—to active ministry at the diocesan level: young people deeply engaged in questions of faith and the role of the church in the world today; those looking for more responsibility, more leadership opportunities, more creative outlets for their ideas and energies; those lone teenagers in congregation really interested in church but without peers their age.
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This year the structure of the Youth Council is expanding to provide a broader range of opportunities, acknowledging that the young people of the Diocese of Massachusetts have a broad range of talents and interests.
This year's Youth Council will be divided into several different teams, each with their own responsibilities and commitments.
- One team will serve on Diocesan Council and/or deanery assemblies, lead DYC participation in Diocesan Convention, and represent the interests of young people to the wider church (for more information, check out the next announcement).
- Another team will plan and run retreats for young people at Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center.
- A third team will work to organize young people around social justice issues such as racial reconciliation, creation care, or gun violence prevention.
There are other possibilities for other leadership roles, too, and we'd love to hear your ideas!
The applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with a planned first meeting (by Zoom or in person, depending on how things play out) in mid-October. In the meantime, reach out to
H. Mark Smith
if you have any questions, or suggestions for other leadership roles that young people could take on in the church!
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Diocesan Council Seats Open
For High School Students (Gr 10 - 12)
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Diocesan Council is a representative governing body that meets monthly to conduct business of the diocese between conventions.
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Online Youth Worker Gathering this Thursday!
July 16, 3:30
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Topic: We'll discuss plans and concerns for the fall, including any great ideas people have for regathering without physically coming together and without yet another Zoom meeting. What is possible? What is beneficial? What is worth our time and the time of our young people?
The ongoing series of gatherings for conversation, idea and resource sharing, shared problem solving, and collegial support continues monthly, on the
third Thursday of every month at 3:30
.PM.
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Dismantling Racism: Youth Curriculum
Free on-line training
coming to DioMA in Sept.
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Dismantling racism is the work of a lifetime, and no single course of study will "fix" things. However, a well-designed curriculum with solid theology, good pedagogy, and useful materials can help jumpstart a conversation within a youth group and a church. This resource is one such opportunity.
The Office of Youth Ministry of the Diocese of Atlanta in partnership with The Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing have designed a groundbreaking six-lesson Dismantling Racism for Youth Curriculum for grades 6 through 12.
In order to receive the Leader’s Guide and other materials, one must be trained on teaching the curriculum. In September, the Diocese of Mass. Is sponsoring this training free. (Scheduling to come, based on availability of those interested.) The training will likely be 5-6 hours total, in either one or two sessions, depending on people’s preferences. Congregational teams are encouraged to send at least two people to be trained on the curriculum together.
If you are interested in participating in this training, contact
H. Mark Smith
as soon as possible. Space is limited.
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Transitions From Youth Ministry to Campus Ministry: Let Us Be Your Village
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Heading to college in the Fall? Or know recent grads who are and who might be interested in connecting with an Episcopal Campus Ministry or an Episcopal Chaplain? The Episcopal Campus Ministers of greater Boston would love to welcome you or your student to our schools, connect for a cup of coffee and conversation (at a safe distance) and get to know you or your student and share about our communities.
If you know someone for us to meet, please pass along to them our contact information. If they are comfortable having you share their name and information with us, we will be happy to reach out to them as well.
Many thanks, and many blessings on all our students and young adults.
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World Council of Churches Invites Participation in International Youth Day
12 August 2020
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Focus this year: mental health of young people.
World Council of Churches (WCC)
is inviting the global fellowship to take part in International Youth Day with a virtual celebration on 12 August. A new resource has also been released to help churches engage with young people and enhance their formation as Christian disciples.
The special celebration of youth will include music and song, prayer and Bible study, along with expert presentations. “The special focus this year is the mental health of young people, an arena of particular concern in these stressful and uncertain days, and one in which the churches can be especially helpful,” writes WCC interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca. “Indeed, we are also launching a rich resource for congregational engagement with the mental health of youth, a kind of
congregational toolkit
with background information, and suggestions for workshops, conversation topics, and prayers.”
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Community Service Opportunities
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Outreach ministries across the diocese are stretched to the max as they attempt to respond to the effects of COVID-19. Meanwhile, across the diocese young people with pent-up energy, passions, and hunger for justice and community service are looking to “do something.”
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Our World, Our Future
is designed to help organize youth groups, individual young people, and others to support outreach efforts according to their abilities and interests, all while maintaining recommended physical distancing protocols.
For more information, see the
Our World, Our Future web page
. There you will find the on-line catalog of service opportunities, tip sheets, and additional tools to help implement this campaign in your parish or home today! There’s also a form you can use if you have a parish-related outreach ministry you would like included in this catalog of COVID-19 responses. Finally, you will find tools you can use to share your story and hear from other people who are getting involved in their communities. We want to raise up the power of your young people as agents of hope, agents of recovery, and agents of change in our world, here and now.
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Resources for Youth Ministry
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:
Young People and Youth Workers Recommend Resources on Dismantling Racism
At the virtual "Town Hall" with Bishop Gates and Bishop Allan last month on dismantling racism, young people of color as well as youth workers suggested a number of resources to educate ourselves and each other on racism and white supremacy embedded in our culture. Resources included ideas for young people, for adults and educators, and for all of us and included books, media, and curricula. The full list is
available here
.
If you have questions or would like to suggest additional resources for the work of antiracism in youth ministry, please contact
H. Mark Smith
.
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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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