o t e m o c l e W element student ministry Coloring Book Edition Element Student Ministry s vision is to partner with families in supporting the growth of student relationships with Christ. We realize that this partnership requires effort on both sides and, at Element, we do our very best to provide a variety of creative ministry opportunities that help students fall more in love Jesus Christ each time they walk through our doors. We offer many different ways to get plugged in because we know that each individual student is in a unique place on their spiritual journey. We aim to meet students where they are and then help them GROW deeper in their faith. Our hope is that you will take this guide, look through it (both students and parents) and find a ministry that you can get involved with this year. We don t expect anyone to participate in everything, but we DO want you to find at least one weekly ministry to participate in and fully commit to being a part of. If you have any questions about our ministry, please get in touch with us. We love to share about our vision and goals. Thanks for letting us here at Trinity United Methodist Church walk alongside your family on this faith journey. We look forward to supporting, guiding and challenging you to grow into a fully committed disciple of Christ.
Meet Our Crew Robert Sturdivant - Youth Pastor David Thompson - Youth & Family Pastor Tori Tenniswood - Logistics Kate McKnight - Discipleship Kameron Mitchell - Youth Worship Sarah Mezzy - Creative Arts Liza Spencer - Youth Resident Rachel Saliba - Admin. Assistant
REACH everyone for Christ HONOR God with our lives SERVE those in need Our Youth Ministry Exists To... CONNECT with other Christians GROW in our faith Our Mission
I made fun of Robert before it was cool.
The Funnel To effectively help students become deeply committed Christians, we must first identify where they are in their spiritual journey. Then, we encourage them to grow and move deeper down the ministry funnel of discipleship. COMMUNITY non-churched non-believing CROWD visiting, seeking interested in attending CONGREGATION forced, seeking interested in growing COMMITTED growing spiritually independently CORE serving others through ministry & evangelism
community programs The goal of a Community outreach event is to attract as many students as possible, involve them in the event s activities and show them that Christians can have fun together. These events are also an opportunity to publicize the activities and ministry programs we have through brochures, posters, etc. Reach Night is a Sunday night ministry that typically happens the last Sunday night of the month. REACH night s specific function is to provide an opportunity for our students to invite friends to church. REACH nights are great entry-level events that allow students to become comfortable with the church environment. They are fun-filled nights that end with a lesson. A few examples of REACH nights are: Pumpkinfest, Hootenanny, Tailgate Parties, and Fire & Ice. We anticipate lots of visitors on REACH nights. Element Cafe is open to all Middle School students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 5:30 PM. Element Café takes place in the youth area of the church and is a great place to relax, do homework, play in the game room, eat snacks and hang out with friends. We have Wi-Fi and will soon provide computers for the students to use.
Crowd Programs The idea behind these programs is to encourage students to invite their friends and to interact with others. These events are fun-filled but have a very important worship and lesson time. Prayer Breakfast offers an opportunity for middle school and high school students to gather on Tuesday mornings at 6:30 A.M. in the Youth Cafe for a devotional and prayer time. Breakfast costs $3, and students walk to school after. Element Plus is a high-energy, fun-filled night that involves dinner, worship, videos, skits and a lesson. Many of our students participate in leading Element PLUS, making this a wonderful night to bring a friend to church. Following a worship service, students are encouraged to hangout for a time of fun and fellowship. These events can include activities on or off campus. This is the best time for students to fellowship with other students, our youth team and volunteers. PLUS occurs on the 3rd Sunday night within a series. (dinner & worship 5:50 7:15 PM, fellowship 7:15 8:00 PM). Destination FunKnown (Middle School Only) is a great night of exploring our city! On the 2nd Sunday of the month, students will travel with our leaders to a fun new location for fellowship and a devotional at the end of the night. Each month is a different place so make sure to stay tuned throughout the year! crowd programs
congregation programs Congregation programs are aimed towards those students who are already comfortable at church. These CONGREGATION students range from those who are forced to attend church to those who are ready to begin studying the Bible. Many of these students have grown up in the church or have parents who regularly attend services. Element A M is an environment of fun, fellowship and growth. Classes are divided into 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th/10th and 11th/12th grade groups. We have a sevenyear cycle curriculum, so students experience a well-rounded study of the Bible and theology. Each class has discussion, games and a time to look at Scripture. Classes are on Sunday mornings from 10:00 10:45 AM, beginning with a time of worship together. Don t worry, there are doughnuts too! Roots is a great night of community and discipleship! From 6-8 PM on the first Sunday night within a series, students will meet by grade in our Host Homes around Birmingham for dinner and discussion. To find out where your ROOTS host home meets, visit our website!
Committed Programs are aimed towards students who want more in their relationship with Christ. These students are beginning to give back to the church and are developing into leaders. Fusion Bible Study Small Groups are offered for each grade and gender. Each group is led by trained, caring adults. We have a seven-year rotation of what the students study based on interests, struggles and questions they may have about faith and the Bible. Our hope is that students will grow in their faith just as they grow in stature. Students may join a FUSION Bible student group at any time and the groups are open to anyone, not just church members. Groups are encouraged to meet throughout the school year at times that are convenient for both the students and the leaders. Deep High School Worship is a service that meets on the 2nd Sunday of each series from 6-8 PM and is an opportunity for our high schoolers to deepen their walk with God by extended worship and teaching. Elementor is another ministry aimed towards committed students. Elementor is a mentoring ministry where older students will help mentor younger students. We challenge our mentors to support their mentee through weekly prayer, presence, gifts, service and witness. commited programs
core programs Core Programs are aimed towards students who are actively seeking to grow deeper in their faith and be leaders in the ministry. Many of the core programs are organized and led by students with little, if any, direction or follow-up from adult leadership. The Journey is a program designed for students who are ready to take their spiritual journey to a deeper level. The program is customized for each student to study five Biblical principles: worship, service, evangelism, fellowship and discipleship. Students are challenged to complete a task associated with each principle. They are given guidelines but are encouraged to come up with their own task based on their talents or passions. Also, The Journey challenges students to read a book and complete a devotional during the year. The ultimate goal of The Journey is to prepare students to be servants of Christ once they graduate from high school and leave the support of their family and youth minister. Student Leadership Team is for students who are ready to give back to the church. Students are not nominated or elected to the leadership team. Anyone is welcome to join. This helps eliminate popularity contests or youth group leaders. The only requirements are that the student must lead and follow our Student Leadership Covenant.
"Element is the best part of my week. - You
h c u o T n I Get facebook.com/elementsm @element_sm @elementstudentministry youtube.com/elementsmtumc elementstudentministry.com trinitybirmingham.com
Or Come See Us 1400 Oxmoor Rd. Birmingham, AL 35209 205-879-1737 *This is not a picture of Element or Trinity
Let me check weekly events SUNDAY Element AM: 10:00-10:45 AM Element Sunday Nights: 6:00-8:00 PM TUESDAY Prayer Breakfast: 6:30-7:15 AM Element Cafe: 3:00-5:30 PM WEDNESDAY Fusion Groups: varies by group (may occur on a different weekday) THURSDAY Element Cafe: 3:00-5:30 PM youth music 6th - 12th Grade Cross & Flame Youth Choir: Sundays 5:00 5:50 PM Youth Handbells: Sundays 4:15 5:00 PM 6th grade confirmation Meets throughout fall semester: AUG 13 - Nov 5 Sunday Nights: 6:00 7:30 PM Confirmation Kick Off: Saturday, Aug 12 Confirmation Service: Sunday, Nov 19 @ 11:00 AM
my calendar... fall kickoff August 6 Element Pool Party 6:00 8:00 PM August 13 Grow Sunday 10:00 11:00 AM August 19-20 High School Discovery Weekend www.highschooldiscovery.com August 27 Element Tailgate Party 6:00 8:00 PM September 6 FUSION small groups kickoff spring kickoff January 7 Element A.M. Kickoff 10:00 11:00 AM January 7 Cross & Flame Choir Kickoff 5:00 5:50 PM January 7 Element Sunday Night Kickoff 6:00 8:00 PM January 11 FUSION Small Groups Kickoff
From Our Students What does Element Student Ministry mean to you? Element is a home away from home for me and my chosen family. Element is where I met some of the most incredible people who have pointed me to Christ and shown me what it means to make love a verb. I laugh with these people, I serve with these people, I travel with these people, I basically live with these people. Just like the church is not a building, Element is not a place; Element is a people. In what ways are you growing in your faith journey? Hollen Terry (12th Grade) I ve grown through the leadership roles that are offered at Element. Through leading small groups at Discovery year after year, being on the leadership team, and also just being around other leaders at the church, I ve become more committed to my faith and been exposed to so many people s experiences in their walk with Christ. I will continue to grow through fellowship and relationships with other students and volunteers at Element. What does Element Student Ministry mean to you? What Element is all about, and what Element means is embracement. The definition for the verb embrace is to hold someone closely in one s arms. I was amazed when I heard this because it is exactly how I would describe Element. It holds me close at times when I feel far. If you are looking for an embracing community, come to Element. I m sure you ll be greeted by a smile and a warm welcome. What are some of your favorite ministries? I love the worship. It s a time where you feel connected with God no matter who you re with and no matter how strong you feel going into worship and no matter how weak you feel. It never fails to strengthen me more and more every song. I think that through worship, I m as close to heaven as I will be until I get there. It s the most amazing feeling in the world and I wouldn t trade it for anything. James Spencer (8th Grade)
Why do you volutnteer with Element Student Ministry? We volunteer with Element because we love our church and all the families that make it what it is. The most important investment that a church can make is into the youth of the church as they will be the future of our congregation. Adam & Marie Wilson What does Element mean to your family? When Marie and I first decided that we wanted to join Trinity, Element was one of the top reasons as to why we loved Trinity so much. We were discussing how we could see our kids growing up running around the Haven, playing fish volleyball and serving our community with Element. Element is very important to Marie and I not just for our spiritual growth but for our future children. Why do you volutnteer with Element Student Ministry? We volunteer with Element because we strongly believe in the work that the Element staff is doing to support the youth in our community. Seeing the outstanding programming developed by the Element staff gave us a greater appreciation for the time and resources that are necessary to make Element successful. As parents of a child who participates in Element and another who will soon begin attending Element, we feel that we are stakeholders in the program and that we should do everything we can to support the Element program and its staff. What does Element mean to your family? Element means a great deal to our family. Our daughter has experienced a spiritual growth that is directly correlated to her involvement with Element and the discipleship that she has received from the Element staff. We are grateful to Element for the impact that it s had on our family and on other youth in our community. The Terrell Family From Our Adults
Color this page and b ring it to Eleme nt Ca fe fo a fre r e dri nk. You r e wel come.
DISCOVERY WEEKEND T I M 2 01 E 8 MARCH 9-11 Middle School Discovery Weekend is a life-changing weekend that you cannot miss. This year, Discovery is March 9-11, 2018, and our theme is TIME. Go ahead and mark your calendars and tell your coaches and friends that this is a weekend you have to attend. www.elementdiscoveryweeekend.com
WE WANT YOU to volunteer At Element we are convinced that the more parents & adult volunteers we have involved, the more students we can effectively REACH for Jesus. So this year we are hoping that all parents will commit to volunteering in a least one way each semester. The following pages will show you a few ways to get involved. By volunteering, you get to: * Hang out with awesome students * Hear relevant messages * Be a part of a team that is impacting the next generation! No experience needed! Only a love for Jesus! Whether you serve at Element Café, drive a vehicle, pray for Element or mentor a group of students, you can play a role in helping your student and others develop an authentic faith. It is our commitment to you, that we, through the leading and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, will provide our volunteers with the following: relevant ministries, opportunities for development as deeply committed Christians, and training for Christian leadership for those who have a desire to serve. What a great calling we have to be part of a team who will point the way to Jesus Christ. Contact Robert Sturdivant: rsturdivant@trinitybirmingham.com 205.879.1737 One of our major goals this year is that every parent in our ministry finds one way to serve each semester. The following page is a list of some of the many ways that volunteers can serve at Element Student Ministry. Take a look and see what might interest you. Everyone is needed!
Sunday AM Element AM Teacher 10 grade level teachers willing to commit weekly during the school year. A co-teacher or staff member is provided in the classroom, as well as supplies and curriculum. 10:00 11:00 AM. Sunday PM Roots Host Home Leaders - 6-8 Adults committed to leading discussion on the first Sunday of the month in our Roots Host Homes. Sunday Night Food Server 4 adults committed to serving and cleaning up during our Sunday night service. This will be on a rotational basis, so we need folks to commit to at least one Sunday night a month. 5:15 6:45 PM. Element Tech Team 4 adults Sunday Night Adult Volunteer 20+ adult volunteers to hang out, encourage and talk with students on Sunday nights during the school year. 5:45 8:00 PM. Sunday Night Driver 20+ adults willing to drive large personal vehicles for PLUS activities and Destination FUNknown. These is typically needed once a month.
Mid-Week Fusion Small Group Leader - 8 male leaders and 6 female leaders for grade level small groups that meet throughout the week. The commitment is an hour and a half one day a week during the school year. Curriculum and training provided. Journey Guide - 14 adults that are willing to check in with students on the Journey once a month to see about progress. Commitment time is 1 hour a week. Prayer Breakfast Adult Volunteer - 2-3 volunteers committed to one Tuesday morning a month. These volunteers will pick up the food for prayer breakfast and bring it to the church by 6:30 and then serve it to the students. They do not have to order the food or bother with paying for it. We just need someone to get the food to the church and serve. We are always done by 7:30am. First Time Visitor Gift Drop Off - With each new student joining us on Sunday nights, we always want to make sure that the student feels known, loved and connected at Element. So with that, we deliver a gift to the family the following Monday before the student gets home from school. If you re available on Mondays before 3pm, then this ministry is for you! MIA Missing You Gift Drop Off - Life gets busy! Sometimes this leads to students falling out of touch with our student ministry. However, even when life is the busiest, we want to make sure our students know that we know they haven t been around and that we miss them! Each week on Wednesdays before 3pm, we deliver Missing You! gifts to those students who haven t joined us on a Sunday night in over a month. Tailgating Cooking Team - Throughout the fall, we will be setting up our very own tailgating tent at some of the middle school and high school games. If you can grill out, pick up drinks, cups, chips and/or be a greeter as students come by to grab a burger, then this ministry is for you! Element Cafe - Element Cafe is one of our many ministries at Element that seeks to provide students with a safe haven through a Christian environment after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Over the past year, Element Cafe has grown significantly in all aspects. God has truly had His hands in this ministry. We have a lot of different roles and shifts available. Shift 1-3:00-4:15 and Shift 2-4:15-5:30. In these shifts you ll have the opportunity to work at the front desk, serve at the concession stand, play games in the gym, or be a hall monitor.
Visit elementstudentministry.com for more info
Bye.