Honoring the Class of 2020 and other Youth Ministry IdeasDuring this unique time of social distancing, we have to get creative about taking advantage of the opportunities we have -- after grieving the losses of canceled events and programs -- and think of ways to adapt how we honor graduating seniors (and perhaps 8th graders and college grads as well.) This was a topic for discussion of an April 24th conversation with some parish coordinators of youth ministry. Watch the recording above, and see if you noted additional ideas to ones I've listed below: + See what parents of the students want to do - they may have creative ideas, energy to help and funds to pay for ways.... for instance, parents of JFK seniors (although not parish) decided to pay for yard signs that were designed and delivered by a group of volunteers. + Card Campaign -- invite parishioners to write out cards to grads. St. Patrick and St. Angela Merici is still discussion if cards will go to the parish for distribution or if parents will want their addresses shared for direct mailing. Holy Family has a parish lock-box for drop off (and ask for the envelops to be unsealed so that prayer cards can be inserted!) + Sending prayer cards! + Massillon St. Joseph has purchased door decorations (in the school colors of the teens!) and will decorate the doors when the weather clears + delaying and moving activities outdoors during the summer -- seniors party, senior Mass, etc. + senior pictures used to be collected to put into the parish bulletin, ask parents if can post on parish website and/or social media + creating senior Facebook Tributes - get parental permission, photo, post-graduation plans, a quote, list extracurricular activities, etc. + ask parishioners to 'adopt a senior' and share a list of things that senior likes for gift baskets to be made and delivered + approach other parish groups (Ladies Guild, Altar and Rosary, K of C, etc., especially if they sponsored events or gifts in the past) to purchase a gift book to send to seniors, with prayers cards, letter from pastor/staff + see if your pastor is willing to record a short video message/blessing for the seniors (if you post to YouTube, you an always text to the link to those who do not have online-meeting technology!) + invite college students to record short messages to seniors with tips and encouragement ----- In other news: > help parents deepen their commitment to being the primary catechists for their children: 1. mail packets, lesson plans, prayer services, religious craft ideas, etc. with instructions 2. consider inviting parents to a virtual meeting on Zoom, FreeConferenceCall.com, Google Meet/Hangout, Go To Meetings, Google Classroom, etc. 3. Record videos to parents with support and/or of short lessons that they can show to their kids with discussion questions 4. Share existing webinars that might be of interest to parents 5. Mail them Thinking of You cards 6. Pray for them! > Do not forget that there are still call-in conference call options for those who do not have (or not want to use) virtual meeting spaces > As we move through the summer and into fall without knowing if we will be able to gather large groups, keep in mind the multitude of ways we might minister with youth: - small groups gathered - conference calls - virtual meetings - independent study/home-schooling - let teens that like using technology create short lessons, prayer services, etc. for teens or younger students > Do not forget to adapt the Permission for Direct Contact with Youth Form as needed. It is posted at: https://youngstownoyyam.weebly.com/key-forms.html > KEEP PRAYING!
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Cindee for Karen Bartos and Teri Ray
4/24/2020 08:49:27 pm
From St. Patrick, Hubbard:
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*** Note: The Office Blog is now inactive, but posted for continued reference as needed (6/30/21) ***Cindee Case, MPSFormer Director of the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (2/2002 - 6/2021) Archives
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