RITE OF PASSAGE MINISTRY

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420 University Boulevard East ~ Silver Spring MD 20901 RITE OF PASSAGE MINISTRY

Learning from the Past MANHOOD GYE NYAME Representing the Supremacy of God Rev.

1 420 University Boulevard East ~ Silver Spring MD RITE OF PASSAGE MINISTRY Participant Application Packet WOMANHOOD SANKOFA Representing the Importance of Learning from the Past MANHOOD GYE NYAME Representing the Supremacy of God Rev. Eldridge Spearmen, Pastor Min. Khalida Burton, Assistant Minister, Youth Ministry

2 Rite of Passage A rite of passage is a ritual that a person must go through in order to progress to the next stage of their life. Rite of Passage (ROP) is an afrocentrically-based program in which African American males and females, ages develop those life skills that will assist them in their transition from dependency to independence. ROP teaches social life skills using the seven principles of Nguzo Saba as a living guide. The Manhood and Womanhood Rite of Passage (ROP) Ministry at Mount Jezreel is designed to educate, empower, and equip young men and women to journey successfully into adulthood to become men and women that Christ has destined them to become. ROP is devoted to developing young men and women to take their rightful place as leaders in our communities, the United States and indeed the world. Under the leadership of Rev. Eldridge Spearman, the elders and mentors dedicate themselves to the goals of: - Preparing our young men and women for responsible adulthood by empowering them with the principles of Jesus Christ; - Developing our youth to have a sense of identity, purpose, and direction. The youth inducted into the Passage ministry will participate in 12 consecutive ministry sessions. Areas of Study (center on the Nguzo Saba) African and African/American history Financial management/budgeting Problem solving/decision-making Interpersonal relations Family and community history Conflict resolution Human sexuality Preemployment training Organizational planning Physical development Nguzo Saba Nguzo Saba is a Black value system consisting of Seven Principles that was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga. It is used in the ROP program to prepare the youth for the passage from adolescence to manhood/womanhood through a variety of in-depth activities that emphasize qualities such as positive attitude, health, teamwork, caring for others, problem solving, and taking responsibility. The seven principles of Nguzo Saba are: Umoja (Unity) - To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) - To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) - To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) - To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together. Nia (Purpose) - To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness. Kuumba (Creativity) - To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it. Imani (Faith) - To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle

3 Date of Application: The Applicant Name: Last First Middle Initial Address: Apt. # City: State: Zip: Telephone Number: ( ) - Age: Date of Birth: Social Security # School: Current Grade Level: Are you a member of? Yes No If no, please list the church that you attend: If no, how did you learn about Mount Jezreel s Program? Parent/Guardian Name: Last First Relationship to the applicant Address: Apt. # Feel free to leave this blank, if it s the same as the applicant City: State: Zip: Telephone Number: ( ) - HOME Telephone Number: ( ) - CELL Telephone Number: ( ) - WORK Place of Employment: Job Title: - 3 -

4 To be completed by the Applicant: Please answer the following questions in 50 words or less and print legibly. 1. Are you a Christian? Yes No Please explain yes or no answers: 2. What is your understanding of being a Christian? 3. Have you been baptized? Yes No Comments: 4. Do you participate in any Mount Jezreel Youth Ministry activities? Yes No If you, please list the activities: 5. What are your hobbies/interests? 6. Do you perform volunteer work? If yes, tell us about your volunteer experiences: 7. Who are the positive role models in your life? In what ways are they a positive influence on you/your life? - 4 -

5 8. Is there a special adult man or woman in your life? This would be someone with whom you can share you life experiences. Yes No Comments 9. If you can hand select a Mentor, please describe the kind of man or woman that you would select. Please know that young ladies will be matched with women and young men will be matched with men. 10. Do you consider yourself a positive role model? Please tell us why you do consider yourself a positive role model or why you do not consider yourself to be a positive role model? 11. Why do you want to participate in the Rite of Passage Ministry Program? - 5 -

6 12. What do you like about yourself? 13. What areas of your life would you like to improve? 14. Do you have questions for us? Please use the section below to ask us questions about the Rite of Passage Ministry Program. Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. We appreciate your interest in our Program

7 To Be Completed by the Parent/Guardian: Please answer the following questions in 50 words or less and print legibly. 1. Are you a member of? Yes No Do not attend church (An answer of no or do not attend church to this question will not have any influences on your child s application) If you attend another church, please list the name of the church. 2. Why do you want your son or daughter to participate in our Rite of Passage Ministry Program? 3. What are your expectations of the Rite of Passage Ministry Program? (For instance, what would you like your child to get out of this ministry?) - 7 -

8 4. How do you feel this program will enhance or develop your child s strength and challenges? 5. Please share with us any illnesses (allergies, special conditions, etc) that your child has. 6. Is your child currently taking any medication(s) (over-the-counter and/or prescription) that he/she will need to take during overnight retreats? Please list them and the dosage. Medications Example Hydrochlorothiazide Strength 25mg Dosing Instructions One pill a day Used for Hypertension - 8 -

9 7. Please share any other comments or concerns: Physician: Address: Phone Number: ( ) - Medical Insurance Carrier: Policy # Group # Emergency Contact Numbers: Contact #1 Contact #2 Name Relationship Home Telephone # ( ) - ( ) - Work Telephone # ( ) - ( ) - Cellular Telephone # ( ) - ( ) - Contact #3 Contact #4 Name Relationship Home Telephone # ( ) - ( ) - Work Telephone # ( ) - ( ) - Cellular Telephone # ( ) - ( )

10 COVENANT TO COMMITMENT With The I, am enrolling Parent/Guardian Name of Son or Daughter Into the. I understand that this ministry is designed to expose my child to the teachings, exercises and experiences that will assist him/her in developing into a productive, successful and healthy young man/woman, while providing him/her with an opportunity to bond with a positive peer group who share the same values and interests. I understand that commitment and dedication are needed from me (the parent/guardian) if my son/daughter is to benefit from the Rite of Passage Ministry. I enter this covenant with the Rite of Passage Ministry with the understanding that I will fully support my son/daughter in this endeavor and that I will volunteer my time and services as required. I understand that I will have to participate in Rite of Passage workshops and I will ensure that my child,, will be present for all of the Rite of Passage workshops and field trips. Signed: Date: Parent/Guardian For internal use only. Reviewed by Min. Khalida Burton, Assistant Minister, Youth Ministry Date

God to the Seventh Power Celebrating African-American Heritage

God to the Seventh Power Celebrating African-American Heritage A partnership of the Archdiocese of Chicago s Office for Catholic Schools and Office for Black Catholics 1 This curriculum is designed to