Last Posting of 2009

Wishing everyone a blessed Advent, a Merry Christmas, and all the best in 2010 as I take a break from blogging for the season.  I'll be back the first week of January.
Here's one last link for 2009 that you may want to check out.   Welwyn Advent Windows 2009
Happy Holidays!

Baptism of Jesus (January 12th)

For those of you planning ahead...


*A beautiful poem about the water of baptism found at Baptism poem link. You might use it to open up a discussion with your youth on what baptism means to them. If there are youth who have been baptized in your group ask them what they know and/or remember about it. Did they wear special clothes? Did they receive gifts? Were there special words spoken? Who decided for them to be baptized – themselves? their parents? grandparents? others?

~You may also want to discuss with your youth and other ministry staff if applicable about exploring confirmation together. Not every youth may want to commit to confirming their baptismal vows in the end but it will be fun to learn more as a group. You may also have youth in your group that were never baptized as infants or children and now would be a great time to explore the possibilities of making such a commitment in their life as a Christian. If you don’t have enough youth to form a confirmation group in your church perhaps you could join with another congregation or two and share the leadership of the confirmation group. A great United Church confirmation resource based around the New Creed is Jesus 24/7 Youth: A Short Course in Christian Faith for the Questing Youth by David Bruce. It is available for purchase through the United Church Resource Distribution (UCRD) Jesus 24/7 Youth order link or you can borrow it from the Conference Library Jesus 24/7 Youth library link . It consists of 6 sessions (could connect with the six weeks of Lent beginning Feb. 17th?) or you could pick any that you think are appropriate and supplement with your own material. For more Confirmation ideas and resources contact Debbie Coss, Conference Youth Minister at dcoss@confmnwo.mb.ca or call (204) 782-8113.
* Just for You ~ What does the United Church believe about baptism? For a quick overview see here Baptism Beliefs link.

~Read more about the Jewish ritual – the mikvah - that may have been one of the foundational rituals for Jesus’ baptism at The Mikvah link .

Epiphany Possibilities

*Consider having your youth host a “Twelfth Night” or Epiphany Eve (January 5th) party for the families of the congregation [marking the end of the 12 nights between Christmas and Epiphany]. Ideas on celebrating Twelfth Night can be found at United Church Twelfth Night suggestions link. You can also find suggestions for both Twelfth Night and Epiphany at Celebrations Around the World link


~One of the activities suggested for Epiphany is Chalking the Door .
* Just for You ~ As a new year begins you may want to follow the weekly reflections which are offered on the United Church General Council website. You can find them here: Weekly Reflections link

New Year's Ideas

*Looking for something to do with your youth that marks the New Year? See the idea of New Year's Time Capsule link *please keep in mind that this article comes from a site that does not necessarily reflect the theology of the United Church of Canada. You may have to adapt other articles as need should you choose to use them.


~You may also want to use this New Year’s Labyrinth idea or make them into 7 separate stations instead. You can find them at New Year's Labyrinth link.


* Just for You ~ Spiritually Literate New Year's Resolutions link and/or New Year's ritual "Waraiko" link

~You may also want to consider getting the book Daybook for New Voices:  A Calendar of Reflecions and Prayers by and for Youth edited by Maren C. Tirabassi & Maria I. Tirabassi.  You can purchase it from Wood Lake Books link.  Each day beginning January 1st offers a new prayer or reflection.  A great tool to nurture your spirit in youth ministry.

Christmas Planning

*A fun activity about things we associate with Christmas and the choices we sometimes have to make which can lead into a great discussion. Access the link here at Christmas Continuum Activity link. Also find another great Christmas icebreaker idea here at Christmas Game link *please keep in mind that this article comes from a site that does not necessarily reflect the theology of the United Church of Canada. You may have to adapt other articles as need should you choose to use them.
* Just for You ~ For Christmas Day reflection link

More Advent and Christmas ideas

* You may want to view Retooning the Nativity video link with your youth. (some of the language used towards the end is non-inclusive and you may have to unpack what the Christmas story means to each of your youth.  To go along with looking at the meaning of Christmas you might also want to try a fun activity at Christmas Taboo game link *please keep in mind that this article comes from a site that does not necessarily reflect the theology of the United Church of Canada. You may have to adapt other articles as need should you choose to use them.



* Just for You ~ 1 Corinthians for Christmas link *please keep in mind that this article comes from a site that does not necessarily reflect the theology of the United Church of Canada. You may have to adapt other articles as need should you choose to use them.

Teen Crisis Lines links

While looking for something else on the Winnipeg Public Library website I came across
Teen Crisis Lines
An excellent resource for those in youth ministry.  Some of the numbers are 1-800 so would also work for those in rural areas.  A list that every teen should have accesss to.  Perhaps you might even post one if you have a youth room or bulletin board at church.

Marking the events of December 6th, 1989 - a discussion about gender

*December 6th marks the tragic events of the murder of 14 women in 1989 at the École Polytechnique in Montreal solely based on their gender. While your youth likely weren’t even born when these events happened it is still a good time to have a discussion about the gender inequalities and violence that still happen in our world and our society.

~A good faith-based resource to start with can be found at The Elders link that has articles and videos by world elders such as Desmond Tutu and Jimmy Carter.

~Kore flicks at Kore media link also has a video called “Woman at the Well” by Student Life which could connect the story of the Woman at the Well with women’s rights.  Scroll through almost to the bottom of the list of flicks to find it. 

~Also see video 021 “She” on the Nooma page about the feminine images of God at Nooma video link.

~ This Gender Guide link has links of gender-focused activities you may choose to use with your youth.


* Just for You ~ Check out Jenny Baker’s “Sophia Network – Wisdom for Women in Youth Work” at Sophia Network link

ZEEBU Youth Retreat

~Have your youth registered yet for the next Conference-wide youth retreat? ZEEBU 2010 will be held at McKenzie United Church in Portage la Prairie, MB the Holiday long weekend of February 13th-15th. This event is for those in Grades 7-12 but we also need leaders who are aged 16 and over (leaders have their registration fee covered but must complete screening prior to the retreat).  For more info and to access a registration form please click here: ZEEBU REGISTRATION FORM LINK. Please pass the registration info on to all of the youth in your church.  And remind them to register early as space is limited and our last retreat filled up quickly.

Mission and Service Fund Advent idea

Here is a funding raising idea for Mission & Service (M&S) that your youth may want to do individually or as a group during Advent.  The readings begin on December 1st.  To download a copy of the Christmas Tree picture and the pages of readings that accompany it go to:
https://sites.google.com/site/missionandservicefund/home/test-filecabinet?pli=1
click on test-filecabinet
and then go down to the folder Advent gift tree flyer for M & S (it's towards the bottom of the page).
Then be prepared to make a lot of folks around the world happy this Christmas season with the gift and spirit of generosity.

Advent and Christmas planning

*Hoping to have a youth Christmas party this year? Check out the advice and fantastic checklist at Youth Christmas Party Planning ideas link. *please keep in mind that this article comes from a site that does not necessarily reflect the theology of the United Church of Canada. You may have to adapt other articles as need should you choose to use them.


Also see Unwrapping Christmas ideas. *please keep in mind that this article comes from a site that does not necessarily reflect the theology of the United Church of Canada. You may have to adapt other articles as need should you choose to use them.


* Just for You ~ Advent - How Do You Wait? Reflection link

~There are a series of Advent reflections (one a day) posted at the Church on the Corner an Anglican church in England. You can access the first ones here Advent Reflections link (scroll to the bottom of the page to start on day one).

ALF 2009 Youth Retreat Highlights

A great tool that's free to use is animoto.com.  You can input up to 12 still photos (or small clips of video), choose a tune and animoto will provide a 30 second video clip for you.  The one you see here has photos from the recent ALF youth retreat held in Brandon, MB.

Advent Planning (Advent begins Nov. 29th)

* I Am the Light of the World photo link or check out the art made from Christmas advertising Our New Lady of Advent link . If you have a youth whose passion is art this could be there time to shine (*pun certainly intended!)


* Just for You ~ There is a great article called “The Pig of Truth: Experiencing God’s Presence at "The Pig of Truth" article link . As we enter into the season of Advent and Christmas it reminds us of where we look to connect with God’s presence amongst the use of ritual.- *please keep in mind that this article comes from a site that does not necessarily reflect the theology of the United Church of Canada. You may have to adapt other articles as need should you choose to use them.

Ideas for Grey Cup and How to Listen So Youth Will Talk More

* The Grey Cup is coming up on November 29th in Calgary. Try this fun sports related activity to move into deeper discussion: Running the Race link *please keep in mind that this article comes from a site that does not necessarily reflect the theology of the United Church of Canada. You may have to adapt other articles as need should you choose to use them.



*Just for You ~ For a good read try: “How to listen so youth will talk more” found at: "How To Listen So Youth Will Talk More" article link - *please keep in mind that this article comes from a site that does not necessarily reflect the theology of the United Church of Canada. You may have to adapt other articles as need should you choose to use them.  You may also want to share this article with "elders/mentors" in your church community who could assist you in your ministry with youth.

Getting Ready for Advent

*Planning ahead for Advent which begins November 29th, 2009? Check out Advent Conspiracy for ideas on how your youth might approach the Advent season with your congregation.


~Or see this take on an advent windows calendar. This idea became a town-wide Advent calendar and perhaps your youth might be able to persuade those in your local community to do the same. You can see photos and more at Advent Windows link



* Just for You ~ To set the mood for Advent read this reflection at Advent Blessing blogs link

October 30th Post

*You might want to try this game with your youth: Everything in Common Game *please keep in mind that this article comes from a site that does not necessarily reflect the theology of the United Church of Canada. You may have to adapt other articles as needed should you choose to use them.


~You could follow it up by reading together 1 Corinthians 12 which speaks of the many different parts of the body that each has a unique gift but works together for the benefit of all.



*Just for You ~ Consider registering for the Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry – held April 26-28, 2010 in Princeton, NJ. This year's theme is "Hope".  Registration info can be accessed here Princeton link.  If you are needing some funds to help get there consider applying for an Individual Learning Grant through our Conference.  Information can be accessed here Individual Learning Grant Application

~If you don’t have the funds to attend the Forum in person, previous Forum lectures have been posted on-line here Princeton Youth Forum content link . They also post podcasts and audio links that you can listen to. To start you out try Track 2 “Making Space for God in Youth Ministry” at Cloud of Witnesses audio link

~ It’s time for the next Ecumenical Youth Ministry Leaders Event! EYML includes youth ministers from Roman Catholic, Ukrainian Catholic, Anglican, Evangelical Lutheran, Mennonite, and United Church backgrounds. We meet December 2nd from 7-9pm at Faith Lutheran Church, 1311 Dakota Street in Winnipeg. Events are held the first Wednesday every second month (Dec., Feb., and April). All those in youth ministry are warmly welcome. The topic for the evening is “Creating Prayerful and Worshipful Youth Ministry Services”. For more info or to register to help us know numbers contact Debbie Coss, Conference Youth Minister at dcoss@confmnwo.mb.ca

United Church of Canada National Youth Ministry Page

*Did you know the United Church of Canada has a page with many helpful youth ministry links? You can find it at UCC Youth link

Important Information on Screening for Yourself and Your Church

~Remember before incorporating any adult volunteers in your youth programming to have them complete an appropriate level of screening. Information on this is available at Safe Environments link, Faithful Footsteps pdf link and Duty of Care link . Perhaps this is something that you and the Faith Formation/Christian Education committee and/or Board/Council at your church or pastoral charge might undertake together in ensuring a healthy and safer environment for the youth of your congregation and community. For more information or support on screening please contact Debbie Coss, Conference Staff for Youth & Young Adult Ministries at dcoss@confmnwo.mb.ca

Remembrance Day Planning / United for Peace

Remembrance Day planning


*An activity your youth might like to be involved with is Postcards for Peace run by Veterans Affairs Canada. If you were to take on this project it might also be interesting for your youth to connect with any veterans in your church and/or community who could share with the youth why they served.

~The United Church has a current campaign entitled United For Peace . Gay Boese is the contact person for United For Peace in our Conference. She would be happy to talk to your youth and/or congregation about the United For Peace campaign. You can get into contact with her through the Conference Office at (204) 233-8911 or 1-866-860-9662 toll free.



*Just for you ~ In remembrance and gratitude you may want to take a moment to light an on-line virtual candle at Gratefulness Candle . You may also want to go further by entering the reflection “How Can I Create Peace in the World Through Gratefulness?” at Gratefulness and World Peace link

What This Is All About

Every week I will try and post links to ideas that you can use in your youth programming as well as links to nurture your own spirituality as you minister with youth.  If you have links or ideas you'd like to share please let me know.
Hope you enjoy the ideas and find them useful.  Blessings in your youth ministry.