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SAINT PAUL'S YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAM A Jubilee Ministry Center Year of Saint Paul June 29, 2008 - June 29, 2009 "A variety of gifts; but the same Spirit" Today, young people have so many demands placed on them. They are expected to excell in school so that they can go to college or get a good job. They are expected to particpate in one or more sports or extracurricular activities -- and be really good at what they are doing. Many of our young people are expected to or need to work at a job to earn money for activities, cars, or to save for college. Too often these demands and expectations overwhelm a young person's life and each day becomes a dizzy spiral of activities that often seem disconnected. Many young people today do not have an anchor -- a core connection to something or someone -- that keeps them from spinning out of control. Parents have a responsibilty - made in a vow at the baptism of their child(ren) - to see that their child(ren) is raised in the faith. We can help, but it is primarily the parent's responsibility. Let us help - get your children involved in the parish. The Youth Ministry Program at Saint Paul's is not meant to replace all of the other activities that our young people are involved in. Our program is designed to support our young people and their parents in their development as Christians. Our two-fold purpose is to help our young people connect with God and the Risen Christ to deepen their spirituality and to see that they are connected to others in the community. We will do this through prayer and outreach to the community. In addition, we want to have some fun together and as such will plan activities where our young people can come together and just have a good time. Come join us! A relationship with the Risen Christ is one of the most exciting opportunities that any of us can be given. We welcome you and your friends. You do not need to be a member of Saint Paul's in order to particpate in our youth group. Particpation is open to all our young people in the community who are ages 10 - 18 and / or in grades 5 - 12. Our Youth Ministry Coordinator is Teresa Allen. You may contact Teresa through the parish e-mail: stpaulepchcolumbia@earthlink.net or by calling 717-684-8496.
YOUTH GROUP MEETING DATES AND TIMES For the year 2007 - 2008 our Youth Group will have many activities each month. First, there will be the weekly Adult Forum meetings each Monday at 7:00 p.m. at Saint John Lutheran Church (6th and Locust) beginning October 1, 2007 through February 4, 2008. The Adult Forum then moves to Sunday at 9:05 a.m. beginning February 10 and continuing through May 18 in the Groome Room at Saint Paul's. Each month there will also be one or more community service projects that are designed to help our young people give back to those in need. And finally, each month there will be at least one fun activity to encourage our young people to get to know each other better and to reward them for their attendance at the Adult Forum and their participation in the community service projects. The dates and times of these events are outlined below. WEEKLY ADULT FORUM MEETINGS: More detail on these weekly Adult Forum sessions may be obtained by going to the Christian Formation Page and looking under Adult Formation. Sunday, May 11 - 9:05 a.m. - Groome Room - Saint Paul's Sunday, May 18 - 9:05 a.m. - Groome Room - Saint Paul's COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS The following projects are designed to help our young people understand that part of the Gospel message is to give to others in need and reach out beyond their own world and experiences to see and experience how others live among them. Sunday, May 25 - 12:00 noon - Parish Church Yard The youth will help with the parish Columbia Memorial Day Parade food stand. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES It is important that we gather our youth groups for fun activites and provide them a sense of joy at being together and also as an incentive to be a active part of the monthly meetings and the community service projects. The planned activities at this point are: June The youth group will attend a Barnstormers game. Date and time to be determined FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES Throughout the year the youth groups will hold fundraisers to support their activities. As part of their outreach to others 21% of all money raised will be given to outreach ministry of the parish (7%); to Operation Understanding of the Diocese of Central PA (7%) and to Episcopal Relief and Development (7%). Fundraisers will be announced as they are planned throughtout the year. Call the office at 717-684-8496 or e-mail Teresa Allen, the Youth Minister, at stpaulepchcolumbia@earthlink.net for full details about these and other events.
PRIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS In the past two years, our youth groups have been involved in the following service projects: "Gifts of the Heart" "Toys for Tots" - 5 times "Angel Tree" - 5 times Susquehanna Pregnancy Center "Souper Bowl Service Blitz Day" "Souper Bowl Sunday" - 3 times Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper - 4 times Assistance with the Saint Patrick's Day Dinner - 3 times "Deb's House" "Bowl for Kids' Sake" - 2 times Susquehanna Valley Rehab Center and Nursing Home Clean-up around the Church Made and delivered greeting cards to parishioners in nursing homes, confined to their own home or who suffer from serious illness - 3 times Helped with the Free Community Breakfast - 6 times Shopped for food, prepared the boxes and delivered Thanksgiving and Christmas Meal boxes to a dozen families in and around Columbia - 4 times each holiday The Columbia Clothing Bank - 2 times Conversations / Visiting with residents at Saint Ann Retirement Home Easter Dinner Food Baskets - 3 times Emergency Homeless Winter Shelter - 2 times Outreach Ministry Commitee - 3 years Operation Understanding - 3 years Episcopal Relief and Development - 3 years Living out the Gospel message of Jesus Christ is essential if we are to build the Kingdom of God here on earth. On of our goals with our Youth Groups is to instill in them the care and love of others that Jesus displayed in his own ministry.
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