As I read Heidi Schlumf's column in the National Catholic Reporter, "Why More Catholic Parishes Should Offer Vacation Bible School," I found myself not only agreeing with what she wrote, which you can read online at: http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/why-more-catholic-parishes-should-offer-vacation-bible-school but also with how it can be such a great outreach to older kids. I know that many parishes already have been utilizing the energies and ideas of teens for VBS, but I'd like to see EVERY parish do so! SO I would like to list just a few reasons why more parishes should offer VBS and invite teens to assist: > It helps connect the teens to the parish community in a different wa. > It gives the teens a way to contribute to the larger community and live out their Baptismal Call > It lets teens try out some skills that they may want to build upon for future vocational or hobby choices. For instance, if they are considering majoring in elementary education, child care, parish ministry, recreation or even parenting, they will get to try out working with children to see if they like it (before tuition dollars are spent!) > It allows the teens to share gifts such as music, story-telling, crafting, food preparation, or office duties (if they assist with attendance check lists, making copies, etc.) > It gives YOU more help and this help has more energy than the lovely grandmas and mothers that may already be part of the program! > It gives smaller children the chance to see older kids staying involved at Church, which may help them desire to stay involved as they age. > It provides something useful for the teens to do for a few days of summer break, so perhaps the parents can have a few hours of relief from hearing: I'm bored! > It provides Service Hours for teens who need them for school or National Honor Society, and it can be done within a faith context which can enrich the volunteering experience. > It is just fun to see the teens get into the music, stories, crafts and other activities of VBS! > It is youth ministry as you are providing an opportunity for the teens to be involved (but it doesn't take another evening or weekend out of your schedule!) Consider the 8 components of Comprehensive youth Ministry.... The teens learn with the children (or perhaps learn more when they prepare to teach a lesson for the VBS). IF YOU CHOSE to have the teens stay over lunch for a discussion on how the morning went, you could then dig deeper into the topic/theme of the day on the adolescent level which would then bring catechesis into the session. Asking them how they saw Christ that morning allows for evangelization. Praying for the blessings of the day and the VBS kids incorporates prayer. The teens working with the younger kids and serving with older adults builds community life. Plus, they are offering service which is part of Justice and Service. Trying out new skills and helping them prepare to lead sessions are elements of leadership development, and their mere presence is a source of advocacy to those who see how they contribute to the community. For those of you that do incorporate teens into your VBS, what other reasons might you add? Just a reminder that teens should not be left solely responsible for minors, in complying with our Diocesan Child Protection Policy, a back-ground checked adult should be supervising. However, smaller groups can have teen facilitators that are supervised by an adult! Teens, with guidance and preparation can be great at leading music, crafts, discussions, and helping teach lessons, serve snacks, and organize games.
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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
July 2021
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