Friends, Sisters, Brothers –
Protests and conversations about race, justice, and systemic oppression continue to evolve quickly. The current protests began after our original publication deadline for this newsletter, but we wanted to ensure that you know that we are working to organize resources to help equip you for listening, discussing, and acting. As a leader of young people during this critical time, you are in our prayers. Seek justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God.
While that compilation of resources is not yet complete, we did want to offer up what we have ready. Two relevant resources regarding race and protest: How to Acknowledge Hurt in Youth Ministry and Tools for Processing Protests with Teens
Free “Basics of Faith Formation” Download
Get to “the why” behind your ministry. The Directors of Young People’s, Children’s, and Adult’s Ministries at Discipleship Ministries co-wrote this awesome resource. Disciple-making is at the core of your ministry, and this resource will aid you and your team to think intentionally about “the why” behind every opportunity that you create for young people to grow in their faith. Click here to DOWNLOAD FOR FREE!
Pentecost Worship for Youth
Part of the coordinated worship series from Discipleship Ministries, coordinate your worship and learning about the celebration of Pentecost with this free lesson! Click here to READ MORE.
5 Ways Senior Pastors can Support Youth and Children’s Ministers
In uncharted waters, all church leaders are figuring out new ways to be in ministry during the COVID response. If you have felt overwhelmed at any point during this season, you are not alone! Remember, your Senior Pastor can be a support person, they just may not know how to support you. Kirsten Knox of the Youth Ministry Institute offers up this excellent article, share it with your Senior Pastor! Click here to READ MORE.
Virtual Day Camp from United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries
With summers in flux, check out this creative virtual day camp pack and encourage your youth to continue their growth and adventures, even if they can’t get to their favorite camp setting this summer. Click here to READ MORE.
Why Socially Distanced Small Groups Don’t Work (and how to fix it!)
Your small groups might not work in a socially distanced setting, and they will definitely be affected. All of that is because of a new word I am going to add to your vocabulary: Proxemics. Click here to READ MORE.
#Hope4Tomorrow: Youth Worship Planning Materials During COVID-19 in 2020
Creating space to celebrate youth and graduating seniors can still be done with worship online. This worship resource provides a theme and template for youth to share their voices, and perhaps give the regular worship planners and preachers a much-needed weekend off of speaking, and have the chance to listen to the impact that the church has made in the lives of young people. Click here to READ MORE.
Chris Wilterdink
Director, Young People’s Ministries
Discipleship Ministries
cwilterdink@umcdiscipleship.org
