Resources for Families During COVID-19
Serving our young people during this time is a top priority of our diocese. Join us in supporting the youth of our congregation. We are in this together.
Resources for Learning
During this time of more home-based activities, stay in touch with families with children and encourage them to go deeper in their faith together.
Resources for Youth
Diocesan Youth Community Resources
Resources for Learning
- Household Bible Reading with Lectio Divina introduces families and small groups to the practice of studying the Bible using Lectio Divina. “Sometimes the Bible can be confusing and difficult to understand. With Lectio Divina we give ourselves permission to let the Bible be what it is. Questions will undoubtedly surface. If you like, search for the answers. Seek out conversations. Or simply let the questions be.”
- Blessing Children in the Home is a simple practice for reminding children how loved they are.
- How2charist is digitally instructed Eucharist and could be a great activity to learn about all that goes on during a church service.
- Grow Christians from Forward Movement is a great website to find inspiration for faith at home, describing itself as “striving to create an online community of discipleship focused on the practical details of life at home.” It includes reflections, stories, images, and recipes from diverse Episcopalians, celebrating the presence of God throughout the Christian year.
During this time of more home-based activities, stay in touch with families with children and encourage them to go deeper in their faith together.
- Household Bible Reading with Lectio Divina introduces families and small groups to the practice of studying the Bible using Lectio Divina. “Sometimes the Bible can be confusing and difficult to understand. With Lectio Divina we give ourselves permission to let the Bible be what it is. Questions will undoubtedly surface. If you like, search for the answers. Seek out conversations. Or simply let the questions be.”
- Blessing Children in the Home is a simple practice for reminding children how loved they are.
- The New Zealand Prayer Book Compline is well worth exploring, offering a peaceful prayer service for end of day with the family or with others online.
- Grow Christians from Forward Movement is a great website to find inspiration for faith at home, describing itself as “striving to create an online community of discipleship focused on the practical details of life at home.” It includes reflections, stories, images, and recipes from diverse Episcopalians, celebrating the presence of God throughout the Christian year.
- Illustratedministry.com is offering free coloring pages during this time.
- Faith at Home is an offering of the Episcopal Church that provides a lot of resources including Lesson Plans that Work, the Book of Common Prayer in an easy-to-navigate PDF, and more.
Resources for Youth
- Zoom is a way to connect, have bible study, compline or just see the youth you minister to on a more regular basis. Contact the Office of the Bishop if you would like access to our account.
- Keep it fun! Have your youth join the video meeting with their favorite beverage in hand, ask the youth to show up in their (appropriate) pjs for a lock-in feel, play show-and-tell with one unexpected thing from their room…Ideas like these will help you feel like you are together and will help you continue to build community.
- Don’t be afraid of silence. Silence on video calls is especially awkward; it can feel even longer than face-to-face silence. It’s okay. Hold the space for people to think before responding just as you would with face-to-face meetings.
- Having a hard time hearing everyone? Remind your group to mute themselves when they aren’t speaking. This will get rid of background noise that may be distracting and household conversations that your family may not want overheard.
- Have meetings just to check in. Have meetings to talk about how the group is feeling as they process the reality we find ourselves in. Have meetings. The worst thing you can do is not meet at all. You want to make sure your group knows that they are cared for. Keep your community strong, check in with each other, support each other the best way you can. Online faith formation may feel clunky at first, but will help keep your group together and remind youth of how important they are.
- Social media is a great way to stay connected during these times. We recommend Instagram for youth. Check out the @episcoposse_md instagram for some inspiration on what we share. Lizzie Mcmanus put together some neat thoughts on social media during this time. View them here.
- GroupMe serves as a great way to connect via group text with much better functionality than a thread text.
Diocesan Youth Community Resources
- Join us for Lunch with Episcoposse Tuesdays and Thursdays 12 PM - 1 PM using this link! All youth and youth leaders are invited.
- On Wednesdays the same link can be used for Youth Workers to gather for the same lunch hour.
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
In our ministry with young adults and in our own lives we are frequently in transition, heading into uncharted parts of life. Our theme this year seeks to explore those areas of life and equip us to find solid ground. Join LuMin and the Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministries as we learn, worship, play, and explore the uncharted waters of ministry. Register by clicking on the logo.
FORMA
January 21-24
It’s time for the Episcopal Church to come together as disciples of Jesus and take a bold new step into the next decade. Let’s spend four days together, talking about discipleship, leadership, evangelism, formation, preaching, and much more—so we can go out and be the Body of Christ. Together, we are stronger. Together, we are #RootedInJesus2020
January 21-24
It’s time for the Episcopal Church to come together as disciples of Jesus and take a bold new step into the next decade. Let’s spend four days together, talking about discipleship, leadership, evangelism, formation, preaching, and much more—so we can go out and be the Body of Christ. Together, we are stronger. Together, we are #RootedInJesus2020
FROM AROUND THE DIOCESE
Happening # 12 – A Light in the Darkness: A Rector's Return
Ten years ago, I led my first Happening at the Claggett Center. Surrounded by the ‘church camp’ family I had built for myself over four years of service and ministry across the United States and Maryland, I spoke to my peers about finding God in the ups and downs of life. Our theme for Happening #2 in 2009 was “Life is a Rollercoaster,” and together we spent our weekend remembering to trust God in the lows, as easily as we turned to Him in the highs that life hands us. As I spoke that weekend, I remember feeling I was like closing a door on a chapter of my life. That Happening was the last Maryland Diocesan Youth Event I attended for ten years. It was also the last time I attended church for ten years.
Download the rest of the article here...
Ten years ago, I led my first Happening at the Claggett Center. Surrounded by the ‘church camp’ family I had built for myself over four years of service and ministry across the United States and Maryland, I spoke to my peers about finding God in the ups and downs of life. Our theme for Happening #2 in 2009 was “Life is a Rollercoaster,” and together we spent our weekend remembering to trust God in the lows, as easily as we turned to Him in the highs that life hands us. As I spoke that weekend, I remember feeling I was like closing a door on a chapter of my life. That Happening was the last Maryland Diocesan Youth Event I attended for ten years. It was also the last time I attended church for ten years.
Download the rest of the article here...
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) |
