TLDR: I am so excited to begin this new role as Interim Coordinator of Youth Ministries! Read on to find out how you can get involved in our many upcoming youth programs and events!
As some of you know, I have been a volunteer with the Youth and Children at St. Dunstan’s since 2014. I have loved the opportunity to help teach Sunday School and chaperone Camp Eagle and Sunday night Youth Group. It means a great deal to me to be involved in this ministry, which serves my two children, two nieces, and so many exceptional youth in our congregation. The opportunity to walk alongside these young people as they discover who they are and how their faith will inform their lives is a blessing. As I witness these individuals becoming more themselves, trying new things, embracing new responsibilities and opportunities, I become inspired. I realize I can face new challenges, like becoming Interim Coordinator of Youth Ministries for example.
Your feedback will help me gain more depth of understanding about the Youth program at St. Dunstan’s. I would greatly appreciate if youth, parents, and other stakeholders will complete a brief survey.
Youth: https://forms.gle/xMKfDTP3EaSbAFYD7
Parents/Guardians: https://forms.gle/ndVhhFWoRJd1Lg258
Other Stakeholders: https://forms.gle/BPPP48QBPectSmJQ8
I am also excited to share information about a few of our upcoming events. As you probably have seen in our weekly announcements, there will be a Lock-in for Youth (6th to 12th grade) from 7 PM on August 4 to 8 AM on August 5. Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/o2QaW6PdUviGCGkWA
We will have an Open House for Youth Ministries on Sunday, August 6 at 10:10 in the BEC. Please come tour the youth rooms and sign-up for Sunday School, Choirs, and other ministries for children and youth.
Sunday School and Youth Group resume on Sunday, September 10th at 10:10. Adults, if you are interested in teaching Junior High or High School Sunday School or helping with Youth Group, please fill out the survey above. Youth, if you are planning to participate in Sunday School and/or Youth Group, please fill out the survey above.
Happening is a special weekend for High Schoolers (9th to 12th grade) at Camp Allen where they explore the Christian faith more fully. Happening #177 is taking place September 29 through October 1. We have already had two of our High School Youth register for this exciting event and hope that more youth from St. Dunstan’s will be able to join them. For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.epicenter.org/happening/
As I am embracing this new role in my work with the wonderful youth of St. Dunstan’s, I have been doing some online research into youth ministries and stumbled across this prayer on the website for Holy Spirit Catholic Parish in Duncanville and ask that you join me in praying:
We offer to you, Loving God, the gifts and needs of youth.
Bless them with your guiding grace as they face the challenges and opportunities in their lives.
Touch their hearts with the gentleness of your love, that they may know they are valued and valuable beings.
Send your spirit of hope to their lives, that they may believe in themselves and know they are needed in this world.
Grace them with the gift of joy that they may celebrate life through laughter and tears alike.
Guide us, as we continue to grow in appreciation of the many gifts of young people, in the ministry opportunities we offer to them, in the journey of faith we walk with them, in our shared mission as a community called to discipleship in the world.
We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
