Ministry With Young Disciples Blog

A Disciples “Virtual Youth Group”!

joyousjava — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:34:30 +0000

Does your church not have a youth group – but you do have one or two teenagers? Are you the only teenager at your church? Do you want a youth group experience, without having to attend a different church to get it?

If any of these scenarios apply to you, you may be interested in reading more about an experiment that is about to take place: the first Disciples “virtual youth group”. The description below comes from Upper Midwest Regional Minister Bill Spangler-Dunning, on behalf of nPartnership:

The idea developed out of the need of some congregations who do not have youth ministry volunteers but would like to offer something for their youth. Sometimes there is only one or two high school youth in the church and if we don’t offer something then our youth and their parents seem to just drift away.

The group nPartnership.org (Youth Ministers Risking Another Way for the Whole Church) recruited Rev Anne Ross Bruce, Glasgow KY to serve as the lead youth minister in this new project. Rev. Bruce has attended another of the nPartnership projects called the Disciples Youth Ministry Network retreats and comes to the project with a strong commitment for finding new ways to be church together in this ever changing world.

The plan for the Virtual Youth Group will be to offer weekly online (full video) youth group times for 3 months and see where it goes. There is no cost to this exciting new development but it will be limited to 14 youth from across the US and Canada. Participants will need a webcam, high speed internet, a computer and permission from parents.

If this works we imagine that:
1. Churches that have no resources for a youth group will have an option for their youth.
2. Youth will experience the diversity of our church and be enriched for that experience.
3. The youth will want to get together live in the life of the church. This could be at the General Assembly in Orlando or meet for a mission trip somewhere.
4. We will be able to bring church leaders from across the world to journey alongside these youth by inviting these leaders in the same video room.
5. This ministry could be replicated and could benefit those congregations who presently can only call a youth minister 3/4 time as they can now rent out the other ¼ time to churches participating in these projects.
6. Youth who participate in this particular Journey of Faith together will invigorate the whole church as they find ways to share their leadership with the whole church.

**IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION OR WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS NEW VIRTUAL YOUTH GROUP, PLEASE CONTACT BILL SPANGLER-DUNNING AT: bsdumw@gmail.com

Regional Youth Cabinet Selected for 2012-2013!!!

joyousjava — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:26:53 +0000

Regional Youth Cabinet Interviews took place at Hillside Christian Church on March 31st. Interviews were conducted by a selection committee consisting of adults (clergy & laity) and youth from around the region who were selected according to RYC Bylaws.

The Regional Youth Cabinet for 2012-2013 will be comprised of the following individuals:
-Cheyenne Ely (Raymore CC)
-Billy Drake (Smithville CC)
-Ryan Dugan, Drake Johnston & Jon Atteberry (Saint Andrew CC)
-Jenna Engelken & Lauren Alvey (Family of Faith CC)
-Anna Godsey, Madison Upton & Bailey Cannon (Lee’s Summit CC)
-Caitlin Chen, Audrey Frye & Becca Reberry (Shawnee Park CC)
-Allyson Ng (North Oak CC)
-Adult Cabinet Members: Suzanne Kerr (Lee’s Summit CC), Meghann Murtaugh (Belton CC), Chuck Pickrel (Eastgate CC), Lara Blackwood Pickrel – Ex Officio (Hillside CC)

Attaboy Concert – April 20th!!

joyousjava — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:50:32 +0000

This concert, brought to our area by the Regional Youth Cabinet of the Christian Church (DOC) in Greater K.C., is a stop on the Beautiful Unusual Tour!

Youth in grades 9-12 are invited to join us for a trip to Lee’s Summit so that we can enjoy this concert. Here are all the details you need to join us on the 20th!:

What is it? -A Christian concert

Who is performing? -Three cool bands on the Beautiful Unusual Tour!: Attaboy, Jennie Wellsand, and Calling out Closer!

Who can go? -Anyone in 9-12th grade! We do ask that adult sponsors come with their youth

When is it? -Friday April 20th, 2012

What time? -Doors open at 6:00 and the concert starts at 6:30

Where is it? -Lee’s Summit Christian Church 800 NE Tudor Rd. Lee’s Summit, MO

Cost?- Tickets are $10 (buy in advance from a Cabinet Youth, call LSCC 816-524-3616 to reserve tickets. Tickets will be available at the door–we would like an idea of #s)

Who is putting this concert on? -The Kansas City Regional Youth Cabinet! for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Anything else? -We have a RAFFLE! It includes AWESOME prizes such as: a camera, gift cards to some great places, a customized xbox controller valued at $120 and much, much more!

Anything else, else? -There are concessions!

Can I get more info? -Of course! go to http://thebeautifulunusualtour.com/fr_home.cfm

Visit www.thebeautifulunusaltour.com/music for FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS from all of the artists on the tour!

Lee’s Summit CC had Attaboy perform as a part of their 140th Anniversary Celebration & we are all extremely excited to have them return! They put on a very fun & uplifting show and are mission minded.

It’s Time to Apply for Regional Youth Cabinet!!!

joyousjava — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:40:06 +0000

The Greater KC Regional Youth Cabinet is a group of high school youth and adults of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Greater Kansas City selected by the region to provide programs and opportunities for high school youth to grow in their faith in God and their understanding as a follower Jesus Christ. RYC members plan and lead all regional CYF events, including CYF Midwinter and the two CYF Conferences that take place during the summer.

In order to apply, you must be:

a current sophomore or junior in high school
active in your local church/youth group
passionate about serving God and neighbor
excited about camp and other regional youth events
willing and able to commit to attending RYC meetings (one Sunday afternoon per month) and retreats (one weekend retreat in August and December), as well as all regional youth events.

A complete application includes:

a completed application form (2012-2013 Cabinet Application – Revised)
three letters of recommendation, as described in the application form
a personal essay describing your faith journey, your reasons for applying to serve on the RYC, and the gifts you bring to the RYC
All materials should be mailed to: Christian Church of Greater KC, 7600 W 75th Street, Suite 6, Overland Park, KS 66204-2853

APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETE AND POSTMARKED BY MARCH 5, 2012. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION MUST BE POSTMARKED BY MARCH 12, 2012.

ALL APPLICANTS WITH COMPLETED APPLICATIONS WILL BE ASSIGNED AN INTERVIEW TIME FOR MARCH 31, 2012 – SO PLEASE SAVE THIS DATE!!

**If you have any questions, please contact Lara Blackwood Pickrel at 816-863-3692 or lara@hillsidecc.com

Register Now for Children Welcome!

joyousjava — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:21:11 +0000

Children Welcome!
From Stumbling Blocks to Building Blocks of Faith

Children Welcome! From Stumbling Blocks to Building Blocks of Faith is happening in Kansas City, February 23-25, 2012. This conference is being jointly sponsored by The Presbyterian Church (USA) and The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

The cost is $130 for the two and ½ days, inclusive of an evening banquet and lunches.

This fifth Children Welcome! Conference will be an opportunity for personal and congregational renewal as together we explore how best to respond to the needs and gifts of children. The time will be filled with music, worship, the learning of new skills, theological discussions, Biblical reflections, networking and much, much more.

Program Highlights

Speakers for the event are Dr. Y. Dianna Wright, Rev. Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock and Rev. Shannon Daley-Harris.
A wide array of books for sale through the Presbyterian Bookstore, addressing issues related to family and children’s ministries, including books authored by keynoters and discovery group leaders.
An exhibit hall with information and resources from agencies connected to both denominations, as well as many ecumenical programs.
Exciting learning opportunities for children, ages 3 through 5th grade.
A unique display of Children’s art.
Opportunities for outreach, including the making of comfort quilts for local distribution through Newborns in Need, a national non-profit organization that collects and distributes resources to families, hospitals and organizations caring for high-risk infants, http://www.newbornsinneed.com/. You are also invited to bring offerings of money and “newborn baby gifts” for Newborns in Need.
Challenging keynotes and exciting discovery groups.
Networking Opportunities.

***TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT, PLEASE CLICK HERE: https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/pages/sbbf_registration

College Grant Opportunity for DOC High School Seniors!

joyousjava — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:25:33 +0000

HELM Leadership Fellows Applications Available for 2012-2013

Higher Education and Leadership Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) invites high school seniors interested in new kinds of Christian leadership to apply to join the 12^th class of HELM Leadership Fellows. Application packets are available now at http://helmdisciples.org/aid/fellows.htm.

Leadership Fellows experience an ongoing relationship with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that adds value to their educations through organized opportunities for fellowship, training, and service to the church. With the help of a campus mentor, fellows design and conduct projects on or near their campuses, participate in an annual conference focused on shaping a Church for the future, and receive a $2,000 annual scholarship grant.

Since 2001, over 70 fellows have passed through the program into careers as ministers, college professors, musicians and broadcasters, teachers, activists for peace and the environment and other forms of leadership. You can meet current and past HELM Leadership Fellows at http://helmdisciples.org/helm/fellows.htm.

Applicants must be high school seniors entering college in fall, 2012 or community college students transferring to a four-year school. Fellows may attend any accredited four-year college or university, though students attending Disciples-related schools are particularly encouraged to apply.

The application deadline is April 16, 2012. For more information contact HELM at helm@helmdisciples.org or 314-991-3000.

Don’t Forget to Register for CYF Midwinter!!!!

joyousjava — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:19:09 +0000

CYF Midwinter (January 6-8 at Tall Oaks) forms are due very very soon! Registration is $75 if you register by December 31 and $90 after December 31. NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER JANUARY 3RD!!!

If you need a registration form, click here: http://www.talloaks.org/camp/CYF%20M-W%202-2012.pdf

Celebrate “Thank a Youth Worker Day”!

joyousjava — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:32:22 +0000

TODAY, NOVEMBER 3RD, IS “THANK A YOUTH WORKER DAY” Youth workers could always use more support – and today is a fine excuse to recognize the labor of love that is youth ministry. One way that you can celebrate the day is to take a moment to personally thank all of the people who have committed a part of their lives to working with and walking alongside young people in your congregation. Consider thanking people like:

Youth Sponsors

JYF Sponsors

Youth Sunday School Teachers

Other Volunteers: all of the parents and other adults who provide meals, transportation and support for the youth ministry that takes place at your church or in your region!

Children/Family/Youth Ministers

Upcoming CYF Event – October 23rd

joyousjava — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:59:14 +0000

WANT S’MORE JESUS?!?

Come out to Tall Oaks on Sunday, October 23rd to enjoy fun and fellowship with the Regional CYF Cabinet and other high school students and youth groups!

We will be having a bonfire, s’mores, hayrides, dinner and The Great Pumpkin race!!

This event will be from 2:00pm – 6:00pm. Please bring $5 per person.

See you at Tall Oaks on the 23rd!

Questions? Call Meghann Murtaugh (913) 972-2769, Chuck Pickrel (816) 863-3690 or Kassie Smith (913) 449-1853

CELEBRATE THANK A YOUTH WORKER DAY ON NOVEMBER 3

joyousjava — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:51:12 +0000

nPartnership, sponsors of the Disciples Youth Ministry Network, encourages churches and individuals to celebrate Thank a Youth Worker Day on November 3. Join with communities, organizations, and caring people around the globe for this international day of celebrating and honoring youth workers. Hold a celebration in your church on the Sunday before and then take time out on November 3 to call or write and personally say “thank you” to all those paid and volunteer youth workers who are an invaluable and often unsung force in our communities as they facilitate the personal, social, educational, and spiritual development of our young people in schools, Scouts, other youth serving agencies, and, of course, in our churches! Learn more about Thank a Youth Worker Day at https://www.facebook.com/TAYWD?sk=info or http://www.thankayouthworkerday.com/. Learn more about nPartnership at http://www.npartnership.org/.