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Dece2018 Newsletter
www.diomassyouth.org
Last Call!! ¡Última llamada!

Las Posadas / Seeking Shelter
Sunday/   Domingo 16 de Dec., 6 - 9 p.m.

St. Luke’s-San Lucas Church 
201 Washington Ave., Chelsea, MA 02150

Join Bishop Gayle Harris and the people of St. Luke’s-San Lucas in Chelsea for Las Posadas, a traditional Advent celebration in which those gathered will trace Mary and Joseph’s traveling search for shelter – a bilingual celebration with processions, prayer of Novenas, music, food and hospitality. As the group celebrates this well-known story from the Christian tradition, it will hold close in heart and mind the serious plight of modern-day refugees struggling to find shelter today.

Bishop Gayle Harris y la gente de St. Luke’s-San Lucas, Chelsea invitan a los jóvenes de toda la diócesis para unirse a esta tradicional celebración del Adviento en la cual los congregados seguirán la búsqueda de albergue de María y de José - una celebración bilingüe con procesiones, rezo de Novena, música, comida y hospitalidad. Mientras el grupo celebra esta conocida historia de la tradición cristiana, mantendrá muy cerca en su mente y corazón la seria crisis de refugiados actuales tratando de encontrar albergue hoy.  

Reflection, Remembrance, & Response to Addiction
A workshop and healing service

Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Trinity Church, Bridgewater
The National Day of Remembrance is a time for communities to honor those lost to addiction and offer support to their families. The parish of Trinity Church, Bridgewater each year hosts an ecumenical healing service for those affected by the disease of addiction.

This year, Trinity Church and the Office of Youth Ministry are teaming up with local mental health agencies, addiction specialists, and a pastoral support team to offer a special program of conversation and reflection for young people and youth workers from across the diocese ahead of the healing service.

For more information, contact the Rev. H. Mark Smith , Diocesan Youth Missioner.

2019 High School Retreat!!
February 8-10, 2019

SIGN UP NOW
Registration is now open for the  2019 High School Retreat   weekend (Friday to Sunday, February 8-10, 2019), at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Greenfield, NH. Retreat participants this year will explore how finding their own unique vibes, identifying their connections, and nurturing their spiritual selves can contribute to finding the Good Life that Christ promises and that God dreams of for us all.

Led by the Diocesan Youth Council (DYC), the weekend features small group workshops, indoor and outdoor games, worship to get everyone moving and thinking, lively music, and some much needed time away from the rush of everyday routines in order to pay more attention to the Spirit of God in our lives. Scholarship support is available, as is bus transportation. Registration closes when capacity is reached, or on February 3.

Lent Launch Lock-In
February 8-10, 2019

Join us as we gather to begin together our journey through this season of reflection, study, repentence, and forgiveness. Youth groups and young people from across the diocese will gather for an overnight "lock-in" to explore with each other the potentials and the promise of this holy season.  This year our work will be nurtured by stage director and teaching artist Kristen Cairns. Theatre, m usic, spoken word, and the majestic Trinity Church worship space will all be utilized in our explorations.

The retreat culminates by participating in the 9 AM Lent 1 service at Trinity followed by a group presentation to the Trinity congregation during the Sunday morning Educational Forum. 

For more information, contact the Rev. H. Mark Smith , Diocesan Youth Missioner.

PRE-CONFIRMATION RETREATS
March 22-23 or April 5-6, 2019
Barbara C. Harris Camp & Conference Center

PreConfirmation retreats are a chance for young people of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts to meet other young people discerning their call to Confirmation, or even just the faith journey in general! The retreats do not try to sum up a year’s worth of classes in one overnight, but we do try to give all who come a feeling for how making a commitment to one’s faith can be lived out not only in church, but in the world and in every part of our day. One of our bishops will join us on each retreat.

The retreats are led by the members of the Diocesan Youth Council, 10th-12th graders who see part of their leadership and ministry as welcoming all the youth attending retreats, leading small groups, and giving reflections on their own spiritual journeys. They look forward to getting to know you all!
Resources for Youth Ministry

Mental Health and Adolescents Network Forming

Hear my prayer, O God;
do not hide yourself from my petition.
Listen to me and answer me;
I have no peace, because of my cares.
Psalm 55:1-2

In early December, the first meeting of the newly forming Mental Health and Adolescents Network met. The group consisted of youth workers, school chaplains, pastors, and clinical professionals who on a daily basis see the rise of mental illness in our adolescents. 

Among the organizing questions for this group: What can the church do? How can we most effectively respond to these young people, their families, teachers, youth leaders, etc? We identified the need for education about the issue; for scriptural, theological, and liturgical resources; and a listing of resources by region where young people and those who love them can get the help they need. We all shared the desire to create in our churches a loving, accepting space where all of our young people can feel safe and be heard, and where those who care for them can find accompaniment and support. 

If you would like to be involved in this emerging Network, please contact Martha Gardner, Missioner for Networking and Formation at [email protected] .