Youth Ministry Committee What is the Grace Presbytery Youth Ministry Committee? The Vision that we hold for Youth Ministry in Grace Presbytery is one where the Youth Ministry committee works with individuals and congregations to enable ministry that is multi-directional. We envision youth ministry that is: Connectional a ministry that brings individuals, the congregations and the presbytery together in ministry. Relational a ministry that builds strong relationships among all those who have been connected. Nurturing a ministry that strengthens the lives and faith of young people and those who lead young people, through opportunities for learning, prayer and service. Supportive a ministry in which participants pray regularly for one another and for the ministry of the church. Applicational a ministry that helps young people and those who lead young people to apply faith to everyday life in the church and the world. Furthermore, we hold a vision that sees the role of the Youth Ministry Committee as being an Advocate for youth in the life and ministry of the church. The Grace Presbytery Youth Ministry Committee (YMC) is an important part of the Grace Presbytery structure. The YMC is responsible for addressing youth ministry needs and concerns of Grace Presbytery and its congregations. The YMC is composed of 27 members elected by the presbytery. Twelve adults are elected to serve three-year terms on the committee (July-June). They are nominated by the Nominating Committee of the presbytery based upon recommendations received from the congregations of the presbytery. In a similar manner, fifteen youth are elected to serve three-year terms (July June). The YMC has three ministry teams: Outreach / Leadership, Conferences, and Worship. The teams: Plan and organize events and ministries for junior high and middle school youth, such as Youthquakes; Plan and organize events and ministries for senior high youth, such as Senior High Youth Connection (SHYC); Provide leadership training opportunities for youth and adult leaders of youth; Encourage participation in General Assembly Presbyterian Youth Connection and Synod-sponsored youth events; Communicate Youth Ministry information and youth resources; Connect youth and youth ministries across the presbytery; Help establish relationships among youth and youth ministry leaders In addition, the YMC is an advocate for the involvement of youth in the whole of the Church s life. The YMC meets four times each year: January April August November The YMC is led by a leadership team of adult and youth co-moderators.
YMC Moderators 2017-2018 Tami Voyles bradvoyles@aol.com Nick Setzer nsetzer@standrewpres.org Lilly Pappas lillypappas1115@gmail.com Cassie Vestal vestalcassie@gmail.com Trinity, McKinney St. Andrew, Longview Eastminster, Dallas Trinity, McKinney PULSE Jeannie Henderson jeansup5@msn.com Lauren Black Lauren-black@wans.net First, Garland Emmanuel, Bedford Youth Sunday on Wheels David Slyter dslyter@gracefirstpc.org Grace First, Weatherford College Mission Trip: Jodi Haun jhaun@fpcgv.org First, Grapevine Summer Youth in Mission: Gary Holloman gary@gracepresbytery.org Dr. Youth & Young Adults Grace Presbytery Youth Calendar Clarke Benson clarke@flash.net First, Fort Worth Grace Presbytery Support Staff for Youth Ministry Gary Holloman gary@gracepresbytery.org Director of Youth and Young Adults
GRACE PRESBYTERY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS Senior High Youth Connection (SHYC) Late each January (sometimes early February), the Senior High Youth of Grace Presbytery gather at Austin College in Sherman for SHYC: a high energy weekend of challenging theme presentations, thought-provoking and encouraging small groups, interest groups, music, worship, and of course, energizers. SHYC is planned by a special team of adults and youth from across the presbytery in partnership with the Austin College ACtivators. Registration materials are generally available by December 1. Fall Youthquake & Spring GAP Weekends at Gilmont Fall Youthquakes & GAP Weekends at Gilmont are retreat weekends with other 6th 8th grade youth from all over the presbytery at Camp Gilmont in Gilmer. During the weekend, youth will experience worship, small groups, fellowship and FUN together. Groups travel to and from camp together and stay in cabins. Event leadership is provided by the Austin College ACtivators for the Fall Youthquake and Grace Presbytery s High School PULSE leadership team for the GAP Weekends in the Spring. Spring and Fall Worship Celebration The Youth Worship Celebration is an opportunity for the youth of the presbytery to gather to praise God and give thanks. Worship and music leaders are invited from various Grace Presbytery congregations. Speakers are usually members of the senior class, and communion servers are youth from across the presbytery who have been elected by their church to serve as elders and deacons. The YMC recruits a special planning team to organize this service. LEADERSHIP CONNECTIONS PULSE PULSE is the youth leadership development ministry of the presbytery. PULSE sponsors a series of workshops (September, October, November, January, February and March) that prepare youth to be leaders in their church and within the presbytery. PULSE members are called upon to share their skills by leading Youthquakes and serving as leaders at other events sponsored by Grace Presbytery. PULSE is open to youth in grades 9-12. Information and application materials are available in June.
Youth Sunday on Wheels Would your congregation welcome a unique opportunity provided by the youth of our presbytery? Youth Sunday on Wheels is a Grace Presbytery Youth Ministry Committee sponsored team of youth who visit small Grace Presbytery congregations and lead worship. As a connectional church, it is important for us to share our gifts with one another across congregational lines, and that is what Youth Sunday on Wheels is all about. Church Under the Bridge Church Under the Bridge is a unique Sunday morning mission opportunity in Waco. Groups have the opportunity to provide a meal for homeless and street people who gather for worship under the I-35 bridges at the entrance to Baylor University. Groups interested in serving please contact Jimmy Dorrell at Jimmy_Dorrell@baylor.edu. DENOMINATIONAL EVENTS Synod Youth Workshop Sponsored by the Synod of the Sun and Grace Presbytery. Synod Youth Workshop is a unique conference limited to 375 high school youth (Entering 9th grade through Graduate) and adults (23 years and older). Time is balanced between small group and large group activities and discussions designed to give space to encounter God and others. Triennium The Presbyterian Youth Triennium is an international gathering of Presbyterian and Reformed young people that takes place at Purdue University. Grace Presbytery sends a delegation to each Triennium and offers all churches in the presbytery spots to attend. Multiple participants from a church will be accepted as spaces in the delegation are available. JHAMS - Junior High and Middle School Week at Austin College This affordable summer conference will include four days of group gatherings, energizers, small group experiences, speakers, music, a service project, and a lake trip while living on campus in dorm rooms! This event is sponsored by Grace Presbytery, Austin College and First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth s Regional Children & Youth Conference committee. Leadership will be provided by both Austin College ACtivators and members of PULSE. Look for more details and registration information in February.
Grace Presbytery PULSE Youth Leadership Development Ministry 2017-2018 PULSE is the Youth Leadership Development Ministry of Grace Presbytery. PULSE sponsors a series of workshops (September, October, November, January, February and March) that prepare youth to be leaders in their church, their youth groups, their schools and within the presbytery. PULSE members are called upon to share their skills by leading Youthquakes, serving on SHYC, Synod Youth Workshop and JHAMS planning teams and serving as leaders at other events sponsored by the Youth Ministry Committee of Grace Presbytery. PULSE is open to youth in grades 9-12. Lunch will be served at all PULSE Training sessions. Training #1 - Presbyterian Mission Center, Irving Saturday, October 21, 2017; 10:00am 3:00pm Training #1 is a time for the new PULSE members to get to know the program and what will be asked of them throughout the year. Participants will begin to know each other, the Commissioned PULSE, and the adult leadership. They will accomplish this through energizers, games, music and small group time. They will also become familiar with the PULSE Youth leadership Development Ministry program and its goals. Training #1 Outline: 1) Welcome 2) Energizers, icebreakers, and music 3) Devotional 4) PULSE 2017 2018 Commitment and Responsibilities 5) Small Group
Training #2 Presbyterian Mission Center, Irving Saturday, November 11, 2017 Training #2 will center on leading a large group using energizers, games & music and the reason why we use them at conferences. PULSE members will be divided into Youthquake Ministry Teams & Weekends. Keynoters will be present to listen to theme ideas from Commissioned PULSE. Training #2 Outline: 1) Energizers: Why do we do Energizers? How to lead one properly. 2) Games and Mixers What is the purpose of games? What are the different types of games? Appropriate and inappropriate games. Dos and don ts. 3) Music Why s How to s 4) Spring 2018 Youthquake Theme Commissioned PULSE Discussion Training #3 Presbyterian Mission Center, Irving Saturday, January 6, 2018 Training #3 will center on leading a small group using the first three steps of the 5 E s; Engaging, Encountering and Exploring. Teaching each of these steps will help in the organizing, development and enrichment of the small group. Keynoters will meet with their Youthquake Leadership Teams and present keynote ideas. Training #3 Outline: 1) Youthquake 1 & 2 Leadership: Meet with Keynoters Meet as teams 2) Leading Small Groups Engaging Encountering Exploring 3) Youthquake Ministry Team Meeting
Training #4 Presbyterian Mission Center, Irving Saturday, February 3, 2018 Training #4 will again center on leading a small group using the last two steps of the 5 E s; Expressing and Empowering. Teaching these last steps will help in the debriefing of the games, activities and keynote presentations and enable the participants to express an opinion and empower them to go and be the person whom Christ calls them to be. Keynoters will work with their Youthquake Leadership Teams. Training #4 Outline: 1) Youthquake 1 & 2 Leadership: Meet with Keynoters Meat as teams 2) Leading Small Groups Expressing Empowering 3) Youthquake Ministry Team Meetings Training #5 Presbyterian Mission Center, Irving Saturday, March 3, 2018 Training #5 will be spent with the Youthquake 1 & 2 Leadership Teams working with the keynoters on their perspective Youthquake Weekend. Time also will be spent in group fellowship and group building. Training #5 Outline: 1) Youthquake Leadership Teams Meet with Keynoters Meet as teams 2) Youthquake Team Reflections Finalize their responsibilities 3) Fellowship 4) Worship
Crossroads Crossroads is a leadership group for high school graduates/college aged young adults to continue to develop and grow their leadership gifts. This group will target those recent high school graduates and college students/college aged young adults who do not have a leadership program to plug into and continue the growth of their leadership skills gifts. Crossroads will help keep this age group connected with the church at a time in their lives where many leave due to the lack of opportunities offered to them. Crossroads will offer training in leadership, develop planning and administration skills. This group will be in leadership of YouthFest West 2017 to be held at Glen Lake Camp located in Glen Rose, TX., TRYC 2018 located at Prude Ranch in Fort Davis, TX and as assistant small group leaders for SHYC 2018. This leadership program will be open to those who are recent high school graduates, college students and those who are college aged but are not enrolled in colleges/universities. If you are interested in participating or want more information, contact Wade Hatter (wrhatter@gmail.com) or Gary Holloman (gary@gracepresbytery.org)
Church Under the Bridge (CUB) is located under Interstate 35, Waco, Texas between 4 th and 5 th street. It is across from Baylor University on one side and Clarion Hotel on the other. During the summer months we usually feed about 150 to 175 people. During the winter months the numbers do go down to about 140 to 145 on sunny days and 125 or less on rainy days. Food service starts at 10:30 A.M. Churches need to be there about 10:15 to get set up. CUB does provide the tables. Park your vehicles under the bridge. Some of the businesses around this area do not want us parking in their lots. The food tables are near the 5 th street side. It usually takes about 45 minutes to complete the meal including clean up. The music service starts at 11:00 and completes about 11:35. Jimmy usually starts his sermon after that and finished around 12:15. All different kinds of foods are served. Examples of main courses are: casseroles, pasta dishes, soups (chili, stew), hamburgers, hot dogs, barbeque, breakfast burritos, pancakes, etc. During the summer months some of the churches have large grills that they bring and cook the food on site. There are no electrical plugs. Usually with the meals, a bread of some type is served, sometimes salad, vegetables, soft fruit and dessert. It is preferable to have something warm for the folks to eat and something that will stick with them. Some churches even bring a sack lunch for people to take with them later. May include sandwich (nothing that will ruin in warm weather), crackers, fruit or anything that you can think of to put in there. The food is served to the people going through the line. It is best to have someone hand out the napkin and fork/spoon. Depending on the size of your group, it is helpful to have someone help people carry their plates. We do have some in wheelchairs, walkers or just unable to walk very well. When serving soups, the five-gallon igloo drink canisters work great for keeping contents hot. It is the same with ice chests. Place dishes in these and they will keep them hot. CUB usually provides the plates, bowls, forks, spoons, and napkins. If you have the availability to bring those, we welcome any church that can do so. You will need to bring your own serving utensils. CUB also provides the trash bags that are needed and we haul off the trash, so there is no need for you to worry about that. CUB provides drinks. During the winter months we serve coffee, hot chocolate and water. During the summer, we switch to Tang or Kool-Aid. You are welcome to bring bottled water to hand out if you would like. Remember, if you are coming during the winter months, dress warm. It does get cold and windy under the bridge. If it rains, you are somewhat protected but you will still get damp. During August, wear something really comfortable and cool. Just come prepared to have an awesome time. Church Under the Bridge is so blessed to have so many organizations that want to serve. Groups interested in serving please contact Jimmy Dorrell at Jimmy_Dorrell@baylor.edu.
Youth Summer Mission Opportunities - 2018 Organization Burnham Appalation Ministry Dogwood Acres Presbyterian Camp DOOR Mission Trips Goodland Academy Group Mission Trips Group Week of Hope Habitat for Humanity Heifer Ranch New Braunfels Senior Center Mission 911 Pan American School PCUSA National Mission Trips Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Project Homecoming Quest Ranch Reach Workcamps Rebuild Joplin SETIO Synod of the Southwest Synod of the Sun Team Effort Urban Ministries Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Children's Home & family Services West Virgina Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps Youth Mission Co. YouthWorks Link www.burnamwood.net www.dogwoodacres.org www.doornetwork.org www.goodland.org www.groupmissiontrips.com www.groupmissiontrips.com www.habitat.org www.heifer.org/visit/heifer-ranch www.nbsenior.org www.ccmission911.org www.panam.ed.cr www.gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/missiontrips/national/ www.pcusa.org/pda www.projecthomecoming.net http://www.questranch.com/ www.reachwc.org www.rebuildjoplin.org www.setio.org www.gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/missiontrips/southwest/ www.gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/missiontrips/sun/ www.teameffort.org www.gspcmobile.org www.veralloyd.org www.wvmaw.org www.youthmissionco.org www.youthworks.com
REGISTRATION INFORMATION COMING SOON 9 th 12 grades Sponsored by: Youth Ministry Committee - Grace Presbytery Austin College - Sherman Where: Austin College, Sherman, Texas When: January 26 28, 2018 Cost: $75.00 (Early registration closes January 15 @ midnight) $90.00 (Late registration opens January 16, 2018)
2018 KIDQUAKE CHILDREN S CAMPS WHEN April 6-8 at Camp Glen Lake (Glen Rose) April 20 April 22 at Camp Gilmont (East Texas) April 27 April 29 at Camp Gilmont (East Texas) FIRST THROUGH SIXTH GRADERS (And their sponsors) Giving children another opportunity to be at camp beyond the summer. REGISTRATION OPENS February 7 th, 2018 SPONSOR Grace Presbytery WHAT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY, NEW FRIENDS, MISSION, WORSHIP COST $125 per child (meals, housing, programming and a camp t-shirt. DOWNLOAD YOUR REGISTRATION PACKET AT WWW.GRACEPRESBYTERY.ORG/ KIDQUAKE (AVAILABLE NOV. 15)
GAP Weekends At Gilmont (formally known as Spring Youthquakes) Cost: $125 GAP #1 April 6-8, 2018 GAP #2 April 13-15, 2018 REGISTRATION INFORMATION COMING SOON Presented by: PULSE Youth Ministry Committee of Grace Presbytery Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
YOUTH FEST WEST Contact Gary Holloman at gary@gracepresbytery.org for more information WHEN: OCTOBER 12-14, 2018 WHERE: GLEN LAKE CAMP, GLEN ROSE, TX WHO: 6TH GRADE 12TH GRADE COST: $125 Presented by: Crossroads Grace Presbytery College Age Ministry
Fall 2018 Youthquake November 2-4, 2018 Gilmont Camp & Conference Center Cost: $125 Presented by: Austin College ACtivators Gilmont Camp & Conference Center Youth Ministry Committee of Grace Presbytery