Here is a random list of ideas I brainstormed of ways to help you as a Coordinator of Youth Ministry to spend your time NOT purchasing food, setting up tables/chairs, and other programmatic tasks for the next couple of weeks while we follow the pandemic prevention protocols: 1. Sort through old files - reorganize, recycle and toss! 2. Wipe down everything in your office with disinfectant so that you can keep healthy. 3. Read Christus Vivit (again) Free online at: http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20190325_christus-vivit.html 4. Pray... really, take some intentional time to pray, perhaps in your Church or chapel. Consider trying a prayer style that you do not typically pray. 5. Write out old fashioned cards/notes to your ministry team members and mail them. 6. Take time to plan out summer activities for your ministries. 7. Make videos or search for videos to share with your teens and their families to watch while they are home from school. (Share any good ones with fellow youth ministers at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/89462880376/ ) 8. Take a day off to be with your family (like a snowless snow day!) 9. Complete any of the diocesan reports you may have forgotten to do (OK, I had to take the opportunity while I had it, right, I mean at least I didn't specifically say the Parish Youth Ministry Report or the Child Protection Compliance sheet, ha!) 10. Send your teens snail mail with some spiritual tips during this time off school.... and perhaps add a personal note to that they know the parish is thinking about them and cares for them! 11. Where possible/applicable, have one-on-one conversations with your pastor, parish leader, and colleagues just to get to know him/her better and learn more about his/her ministries and life! (We often seem too busy to do so, but now we may have time!) 12. Read (or reread) Evangelii Gaudium to remind yourself of the Joy of the Gospel, even in trying times -- free online at: http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html 13. Update your "Community Services List" (a Worksheet to assist with creating this list if you do not yet have one has been posted on: https://youngstownoyyam.weebly.com/helping-young-people-during-grief-or-tragedy.html Second column. Call counselors in the area to see if you would like to add them to the list and if they are accepting new patients. 14. Pull out the Diocesan "Curriculum for Catechesis" and make sure you are covering all the high school objectives. See binder in your or DRE's or pastor's office, or check online at: https://youngstownoyyam.weebly.com/adolescent-catechesis.html or https://catechistcafe.weebly.com/curriculum-for-catechesis.html 15. Review textbooks and resources you are not currently using but in which you may be interested (at this time the diocesan offices are open as usual, so you can call Carla for ideas or come to the library to look over some options.) 16. Prepare a list of social media posts for the next couple of months so that you have them ready to go when things get busy again. 17. Meet with fellow ministers in your region or area, if everyone is healthy and able, to really work on some collaborations and/or tweak current collaborations. 18. Bring Cindee lunch. Ha, just joking, that was just to see if you were still reading.... however, see who in your parish really might NEED assistance. Invite a small group of folks (like young adults who often are seeking service opportunities) who can assist with meal service, or a trip to the store for RXs, food or supplies, or other tasks that high-risk parishioners might need taken care of during this time. 19. If most of your teens (or their parents) have tablets, computers and smart phones with video, audio and internet, host a virtual prayer meeting/Bible study/quick learning session... if you/your parish does not have paid accounts for virtual meetings, there are free options such as: -- FreeConferenceCall.com -- Zoom, can be up to 40 minutes free (unlimited time for one-to-one calls, if you want to touch base with one family at a time) -- Facebook Live (but would be open to all with whom you are friends or who is part of the Group page you use) -- Google Hangouts (through Google+, so people need to join that, then they say up to ten people, but I've found that once you get over 5, it freezes up) -- Google Meet (Note for many of these, there is also an option for some to just call in from any phone, so they may not see what is happening, but can hear and talk with the group!) -- Let me know of others! 20. Preview some of the videos and movies you have considered using for ministry, but haven't had time to watch... be sure to create discussion questions as you watch! 21. If you are not already a member of a national ministry group, look into a few to consider joining: a. National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) as an Associate Member, https://nfcym.org/members/associate-membership/ b. National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL), https://nccl.org/membership/ -- then contact Barbara Walko about joining through the diocesan package, [email protected] c. National Association for Lay Ministry (NALM), https://nccl.org/membership/ 22. Speaking of national organization, check out any archived webinars they offered that you may have missed, the NFCYM has several posted at: https://nfcym.org/resources/webinars/ 23. Pull out copies of the Catholic Exponent that you had thought "I'll read that later" and actually read them now! 24. Check your desk and storage area to inventory then order any supplies on which you are running low. 25. Add to this list! Seriously, post a "comment" below with more ideas that may be of assistance to our fellow youth ministers! Oh, and wash your hands!
1 Comment
jim wiscott
3/16/2020 12:36:39 pm
Great ideas. Here are some of my thoughts.
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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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