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By Megan Sandberg
Looking back on myself as a teenager there are two major things that stand out: the need for community and the importance of adults in my life. While growing up my parents were always present and helpful to me, but as I got into high school I found that I needed to become more independent so I began to seek out where I needed to be in my life. Luckily while I was searching for where I belonged two incredible people came into my life, Chris Rockwell and Amy Stoll. They were the choir and youth group volunteers at my parish. As I was searching for where I belonged brought me into the program and help me grow. Through them I found that I had an incredible opportunity to serve in the church. Chris and Amy were always supportive of me when I struggled, yet they challenged me to be true to my faith and to find my place with God.
Chris and Amy were the kick start I needed to become on fire to serve God and others. Volunteering in youth Ministry is an opportunity many have already taken part in as volunteers in both the middle school and high school youth programs. Thank you to all of you; we could not be where we are without you, but there is still a very large need for more people to help. Being a volunteer does not mean you have to have a degree in theology. Chris was an engineer and definitely didn’t have some special religious knowledge that others didn’t have. What he did have was a love for God and a desire to share it with the youth of his parish.
God has given all of us gifts with which we are called to share with others. How have you used the gifts God has given you? Could there be a place in youth ministry for you? Most definitely. With such a large population of youth at this parish there is a great demand for people to help them become bearers of the faith. We have opportunities for people interested in leading small groups, playing sports, making food, helping on retreats, doing office work, helping with our social events and much more. If you feel the pull of God to share your talents and gifts please prayerfully consider youth ministry and be a guide for someone else. Without the many adults like Chris and Amy who have guided me and shown me great friendship I would not be who I am today, but thanks to God and those people I have been blessed with being able to serve God as a youth minister and share my faith with many of the youth in this parish.
We are always in need of and seeking adult and youth leaders committed to the Catholic faith to help with our various ministries. One need not have prior experience or training in working with middle school youth, just an openness to sharing the faith and mentoring by good example.
How does one get involved? If you are interested in working with our middle school youth ministry program please call the Catacombs Youth Center at 303-220-3388.
We need YOU! Youth Ministry is only as good as its volunteers and we know that you are great! All types of volunteers are needed for many different events and things: Crossfire, Snacks, Special Events, Mentors, ect. If you are at all interested please fill out this formand retum it to us.
PLEASE CHECK ALL OF THE MINISTRIES YOU ARE INTERESTED IN:
• Include everyone whenever possible.
• At the beginning, get everyone in the group to talk.
• Four in a group is best; six is okay; eight should be the maximum.
• Be aware of new people and include them in the conversation.
• Remember that small groups often raise the tension level (because people can't hidel).
• Move from light to heavy discussion.
• Ask "I feel" rather than "I know" questions.
• The longer the group is together, the better they will feel about the group.
• In a small group it's easier to share, pray, encourage and be personal.
• Prepare your discussion questions and vary how you ask them.
• Avoid any put-downs.
• Discussion questions should be answerable.
• Allow people the right to pass and not share.
• Create a casual and relaxed atmosphere.
• Don't always expound on the answer yourself.
• Call people by name.
• Eye contact and body language are important for the leader.
• When you ask someone to read, make sure he/she is able to read out loud or else don't ask.
• Get your group in a comfortable atmosphere where everyone can see each other's eyes.
• Request confidentiality in the group.
• Guides the discussion with control and flexibility
• Encourages as much participation as possible
• Asks a variety of questions that involve the group
• Listens well
• Arranges seating to involve participants
• Models the skills he/she wants to develop in group members
• Notices the people in the room, the conversations occurring, and the non-verbal signals
• Creates an inviting, positive atmosphere
• Affirms the ideas expressed by group members
• Doesn't panic with silence .
• Doesn't let one person monopolize the discussion.