|
 |
 |
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
[Back to index of September 2007 articles] A Year to Celebrate Youth By
Charles Dervarics With their busy schedules, youth are a fast-moving and sometimes elusive target for local churches. That’s why the Diocese of Washington has a few new activities in its 2007-2008 youth calendar, which includes several high-profile events to address both social and spiritual needs. Among the new plans is a Senior Weekend in April 2008 to provide fellowship and a retreat for high school students as they prepare for the transition to adulthood. “We’re blazing a new trail with the senior retreat,” said Paul Canady, diocesan deputy for youth ministry. “This is the first time we’ve done a senior weekend.” Preparing for the next phase of life, seniors face unique challenges that may get less attention in typical programs for youth. The event, which will take place at the Cathedral College April 11-12, is scheduled well ahead of prom season and other activities that make the last few weeks of high school so hectic for students. While Canady and staff are still setting their plans for the event, they have studied similar senior weekends offered by dioceses in North Carolina and New Jersey. “We have kids who have been a part of the diocese for many years,” he said. “Hopefully we can provide some insight and tools to help them with the next steps, whether they’re going to college, work or the military.” Registration deadline is March 31, and the diocese will have more information online at www.edow.org/youth. The weekend is far from the only youth event scheduled this school year. Service is again a major theme, beginning with regional community service events on Sept. 30. The diocese plans to offer opportunities at five sites, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Canady said. Also on the service front, plans are under way for two week-long Spring Break work trips next March. The diocese will send 15 young people to Alabama and Mississippi on March 15-22 to assist in continuing clean-up efforts from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. A second group will work the following week. With Easter earlier than usual in 2008, “We can cover most school vacations, and we’re grateful,” Canady said. In the past, youth have repaired ceilings and floors at homes in low-income communities with help from Volunteers of America Southeast in Mobile, Ala. The program is open to eighth through 12th graders, with participants selected based on their interest and past involvement in their congregation. Cost is $485, including a $150 non-refundable deposit. Applications are on the diocese’s Web site (http://www.edow.org/youth/springbreak2008.html) and are due Oct. 30. Participants are expected to attend four pre-trip planning meetings. For those whose schedule allows only an overnight program, the diocese will sponsor its traditionally popular All Youth Lock-In at Washington National Cathedral this fall. Typical attendance is about 400 at this event, in which youth “take over the Cathedral for 14 hours,” Canady said. This year’s event, scheduled Nov. 30 through Dec. 1, will celebrate the Cathedral’s 100th anniversary. With a theme of Mission Possible—Taking a Stand, youth will learn more about the Cathedral as well as global development goals, Canady said. There also is ample time to explore the Cathedral and its tower. Movies and arts and crafts are other standard activities at the event, which costs $38. “The Lock-In is usually a big draw,” says Ethan Stewart, a high school senior who is a member of Christ Church, Durham, and also a member of the Diocese Committee on Youth. Along with touring the Cathedral, youth can explore the tower with guides or stop on different floors that offer activities such as arts and crafts and movies. Canady encourages parishes to participate in the lock-in, even if their youth programs have been less active in recent years. “We see youth from new parishes each year,” he said. “Congregations may drop off for two or three years but come back. They use a diocesan event to regroup and re-start their youth programs.” For those seeking a more in-depth activity, the diocese will schedule middle and high school weekend retreats early in 2008. High school youth will convene Feb. 8-10 and middle school youth will meet March 7-9, with both events at YMCA’s Camp Letts in Edgewater, Md. The Committee on Youth helps plan these retreats. With representatives from all regions of the diocese plus two at-large members, the panel will set a flexible program with both fun and fellowship. “Teenagers may feel much more at ease at retreats,” said Stewart, who is beginning his third year on the committee. Each retreat generally attracts 90 to 120 youth annually. Registration deadlines are Jan. 25 for the high school retreat and Feb. 22 for the middle school retreat. Cost is $90. The diocese also will hold confirmation services Nov. 3, May 17 and June 21. For more information or a complete schedule of youth events, visit the diocesan youth page at www.edow.org/youth [Back to index of September 2007 articles]
|
|
||||||||||
