Diocese of Youngstown |
In these strange times,
keeping connected with our young people (from a safe distance) is incredibly important. In helping you to do this, I am grateful that the Springtide Research Institute offered this series of brief videos to help us do this, and to share with our team members who are helping you reach out to teens. A note I took from each video (and length of video): (Feel free to add what points jumped out to you in the comments below) 1. Just do it - even when/if you feel awkward - be a consistent presence. (13 minutes) 2. Find a detail about their personal life about which to ask. Do not assume you know how they will answer and take the time to listen. (12.5 minutes) 3. Responding while keeping hope alive as "Spiritual First Responders!" (15.5 minutes) Webpage mentioned with resources: http://iym.ptsem.edu/resources/youth-ministry-in-pandemic/ 4. Acknowledge trauma, grief, and anger that some are experiencing without minimizing. (12 minutes) 5. Building Developmental Relationships (9 minutes) Handout mentioned can be found at: https://www.search-institute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Coronavirus-checklist.pdf May you find these helpful to you as you continue to share the love of your parish through contact with the teens and their families during this unique time. ---------------------------- |
What to Say to Young People During COVID-19: Part 1
- Dr. Packard with Members of the Princeton Theological Seminary Institute for Youth Ministry
WHAT TO SAY TO YOUNG PEOPLE DURING COVID-19: PART 2
- DR. PACKARD WITH MEMBERS OF THE PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY INSTITUTE FOR YOUTH MINISTRY
WHAT TO SAY TO YOUNG PEOPLE DURING COVID-19: PART 3
- DR. PACKARD WITH MEMBERS OF THE PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY INSTITUTE FOR YOUTH MINISTRY
What to Say to Young People During COVID-19: Part 4
- with Sarah Kapostasy of Out Youth in Austin, TX
What to Say to Young People During COVID-19: Part 5
- Dr. Packard with SEARCH Institute
Honoring the Class of 2020 and other Youth Ministry Ideas
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!
*** Note: The Office Blog is now inactive, but posted for continued reference as needed (6/30/21) ***
Cindee Case, MPS
Former Director of the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (2/2002 - 6/2021)
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