SOCIAL MEDIA & SAFE CHURCH
- Standards of Behavior for Those Working With Children & Youth [PDF]
- Social Media: Safe Church Guidelines (Province III Youth Ministry Network) [PDF]
- The Social Media Gospel: Sharing The Good News In New Ways (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2nd Edition, 2015) is a comprehensive guide to why, when, and how to use social networking platforms.
RETREATS & CONFERENCES
2017
NYWC – Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 16-19 2017
The National Youth Workers Convention (NYWC) has been training, equipping, and encouraging youth workers for more than 45 years as part of Youth Specialties.
This four-day event draws youth workers from around the world and from every denomination. NYWC attracts paid youth pastors, volunteer youth workers, youth ministry students, spouses of youth workers, and just about anyone else interested in helping teenagers find and follow Jesus.
In addition to more than 80 seminars, NYWC also features worship, entertainment, and speakers who inspire, encourage, and enlighten attendees. We curate a variety of perspectives and experiences from all across the country, helping attendees explore big ideas and figure out how to apply them to their own youth ministry contexts.
The National Youth Workers Convention (NYWC) has been training, equipping, and encouraging youth workers for more than 45 years as part of Youth Specialties.
This four-day event draws youth workers from around the world and from every denomination. NYWC attracts paid youth pastors, volunteer youth workers, youth ministry students, spouses of youth workers, and just about anyone else interested in helping teenagers find and follow Jesus.
In addition to more than 80 seminars, NYWC also features worship, entertainment, and speakers who inspire, encourage, and enlighten attendees. We curate a variety of perspectives and experiences from all across the country, helping attendees explore big ideas and figure out how to apply them to their own youth ministry contexts.
2018
FORMA: January 24-26, 2018 Charleston, SC
Register here!
Come join your colleagues in ministry for Forma's 21st Annual Conference.We have an awesome line up of speakers and workshop presenters for you this year. We are looking forward to:
- The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Michael Curry preaching at our closing Eucharist
- The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey, professor of Religion at Drake University and author of Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation leading us through her work towards reconciliation and justice
- Heidi Kim and the Rev. Chuck Wynder, staff officers for Racial Reconciliation and Advocacy for the Episcopal Church sharing how Formation Leaders can adapt Becoming Beloved Community
- Workshops for every ministry setting and topics that will provide deeper insight into our theme, give needed skills to be a Formation practitioner in the 21st century, and/or workshops that will provide a much-needed breath of fresh air and renewal
This conference will equip Formation leaders, whether lay, ordained, full-time, part-time, or volunteer, to better navigate the racial and social justice issues we face as a church and society. Rev. Dr. Harvey's groundbreaking book, Dear White Christians, and her upcoming release, Raising White Kids, will be the backbone of our time
Register here!
Come join your colleagues in ministry for Forma's 21st Annual Conference.We have an awesome line up of speakers and workshop presenters for you this year. We are looking forward to:
- The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Michael Curry preaching at our closing Eucharist
- The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey, professor of Religion at Drake University and author of Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation leading us through her work towards reconciliation and justice
- Heidi Kim and the Rev. Chuck Wynder, staff officers for Racial Reconciliation and Advocacy for the Episcopal Church sharing how Formation Leaders can adapt Becoming Beloved Community
- Workshops for every ministry setting and topics that will provide deeper insight into our theme, give needed skills to be a Formation practitioner in the 21st century, and/or workshops that will provide a much-needed breath of fresh air and renewal
This conference will equip Formation leaders, whether lay, ordained, full-time, part-time, or volunteer, to better navigate the racial and social justice issues we face as a church and society. Rev. Dr. Harvey's groundbreaking book, Dear White Christians, and her upcoming release, Raising White Kids, will be the backbone of our time
FROM AROUND THE DIOCESE
The Eye of the Storm: Campus Ministry Alternative Spring Break
When most people hear the word “hurricane,” the first thing they think of is either Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Sandy; as for the residents of Lumberton, North Carolina, they think of Hurricane Matthew.
Lumberton, NC is a small town in Robeson County, one of the most diverse in the state, but most interestingly one of the homes of the Lumbee Tribe, the fourth largest Native American Tribe in the nation. Lumberton, however, was also not very financially privileged before the events that occurred between September 28th and October 18th, 2016, with a third of its population beneath the poverty line. To protect the big corporations in town that were stimulating the economy of the town from flooding, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a dike. This would come back to bite them in the rear, since it ran alongside the Lumber River.
Download the rest of this article here...
Combined Youth Groups Use Theater to Discuss Racism
In a recent Sunday morning service, Crystal Johnson, youth director at Asbury-Broadneck United Methodist Church on the Broadneck peninsula, welcomed guests from nearby St. Margaret's Church and asked them to stand. The service that morning focused on a civil rights program that was written by an Asbury youth member focused on the idea that it takes all kinds of people -- white, black, Christians, Jews, men, and women -- to help secure the civil rights of all. After his visit, St. Margaret's Director of Family Ministries Jenelle Mejia then reached out to youth director Johnson, trying to come up with ways their children and youth could connect. To celebrate Black History Month at Asbury, a youth member had written the play on civil rights, and St. Margaret's youth were asked to perform multiple roles.
Download the whole article here...
When most people hear the word “hurricane,” the first thing they think of is either Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Sandy; as for the residents of Lumberton, North Carolina, they think of Hurricane Matthew.
Lumberton, NC is a small town in Robeson County, one of the most diverse in the state, but most interestingly one of the homes of the Lumbee Tribe, the fourth largest Native American Tribe in the nation. Lumberton, however, was also not very financially privileged before the events that occurred between September 28th and October 18th, 2016, with a third of its population beneath the poverty line. To protect the big corporations in town that were stimulating the economy of the town from flooding, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a dike. This would come back to bite them in the rear, since it ran alongside the Lumber River.
Download the rest of this article here...
Combined Youth Groups Use Theater to Discuss Racism
In a recent Sunday morning service, Crystal Johnson, youth director at Asbury-Broadneck United Methodist Church on the Broadneck peninsula, welcomed guests from nearby St. Margaret's Church and asked them to stand. The service that morning focused on a civil rights program that was written by an Asbury youth member focused on the idea that it takes all kinds of people -- white, black, Christians, Jews, men, and women -- to help secure the civil rights of all. After his visit, St. Margaret's Director of Family Ministries Jenelle Mejia then reached out to youth director Johnson, trying to come up with ways their children and youth could connect. To celebrate Black History Month at Asbury, a youth member had written the play on civil rights, and St. Margaret's youth were asked to perform multiple roles.
Download the whole article here...
PROGRAMS
Drug Awareness: A Father's View of His Son's Addiction
Cost: $0
Our nation, our state, our communities are currently living with an opioid (heroin, prescription pain pills) epidemic! Bob Hoopert Jr. of Harford County has developed a presentation that is focused on helping young adults (6th grade and up) avoid the pitfalls associated with drugs and alcohol. The presentation is based on his son's addiction to heroin and his recovery. Over the past 4 years, Bob has spoken to Youth Ministry groups at numerous churches in Harford County, northern Baltimore County, and southern Pennsylvania. Bob's main goal is to fill the young adults with encouragement to live their lives to the fullest without drugs and alcohol.
He will be glad to do a quick walkthrough of his presentation with anyone who is interested.
Bob can be contacted at 410-692-4157 or at crhoopert@zoominternet.net.
Funding for Youth-Led Projects...
Youth as Resources (YAR) is Baltimore's youth-led grant making organization. We have funds available for community organizing projects that are created and controlled by youth (up to 24 years old).
YAR focuses on and addresses specific issues that include BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: school climate, police accountability, public transportation, youth empowerment, community control and we encourage the inclusion of youth of all abilities. YAR supports youth-led organizations that address critical issues within their community by providing them with grants, trainings, and any other technical services the organization may need.
Grants range from $500 - $3,500. Applicants are required to attend one of the two workshops and must be represented by one or two youth and no more than one optional adult.
For more information and/or to sign up for a workshop email jreeder@youthasresources.org or call 410-576-9551.
Cost: $0
Our nation, our state, our communities are currently living with an opioid (heroin, prescription pain pills) epidemic! Bob Hoopert Jr. of Harford County has developed a presentation that is focused on helping young adults (6th grade and up) avoid the pitfalls associated with drugs and alcohol. The presentation is based on his son's addiction to heroin and his recovery. Over the past 4 years, Bob has spoken to Youth Ministry groups at numerous churches in Harford County, northern Baltimore County, and southern Pennsylvania. Bob's main goal is to fill the young adults with encouragement to live their lives to the fullest without drugs and alcohol.
He will be glad to do a quick walkthrough of his presentation with anyone who is interested.
Bob can be contacted at 410-692-4157 or at crhoopert@zoominternet.net.
Funding for Youth-Led Projects...
Youth as Resources (YAR) is Baltimore's youth-led grant making organization. We have funds available for community organizing projects that are created and controlled by youth (up to 24 years old).
YAR focuses on and addresses specific issues that include BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: school climate, police accountability, public transportation, youth empowerment, community control and we encourage the inclusion of youth of all abilities. YAR supports youth-led organizations that address critical issues within their community by providing them with grants, trainings, and any other technical services the organization may need.
Grants range from $500 - $3,500. Applicants are required to attend one of the two workshops and must be represented by one or two youth and no more than one optional adult.
For more information and/or to sign up for a workshop email jreeder@youthasresources.org or call 410-576-9551.
RESOURCES
The youth team is always on the hunt for fantastic new resources to share with those working with young people. If you know of anything that we should add, contact us!
- Read: "Social Action Projects: A More Excellent Way" by Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook
- Episcopal Service Corps is a community of faithful and passionate young adults (typically recent college graduatese) committed to peace and justice. Learn more about the Young Adult Volunteer Year in Baltimore by contacting director: The Rev. Jan Hamill, by email or 1-800-443-1399. Also on Facebook.
ORGANIZATIONS
ABOUT YOUTH MINISTRYPrint & eReadersBaker, Dori Grenenko. Lives to Offer: Accompanying Youth on Their Vocational Quest (Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2007)
Dean, Kenda Creasy. Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American ChurcH (New York: Oxford University Press, 2010) Martinson, Roland, Wes Black, and John Roberto. The Spirit and Culture of Youth Ministry: Leading Congregations toward Exemplary Youth Ministry (St. Paul: EYM Publishing, 2010) Mercer, Joyce Anne. Girltalk Godtalk: Why Faith Matters to Teenage Girls and Their Parents (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2008) Pearce, Lisa, and Melinda Lunquist Denton. A Faith of Their Own: Stability and Change in the Religiosity of America’s Adolescents (New York: Oxford University Press, 2011) Roberto, John. Faith Formation 2020: Designing the Future of Faith Formation (Naugatuck: LifelongFaith Associates, 2010) Root, Andrew, and Kenda Creasy Dean. The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2011) Yaconelli, Mark. Contemplative Youth Ministry: Practicing the Presence of Jesus (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) |
