January 2012 minutes for Southwestern Conference Youth Ministries Team Meeting

Southwestern Conference Youth Ministries Team Meeting
January 7, 2012 9 am @ First Lutheran Church
Meeting minutes


Present: Ian Eastman (SW Conference), Tara Eastman (First Lutheran), Ann McKillip (St. Tim's), Jennifer Spacht (Bethel), Jason Wood (St. Tim's).
Regrets: Mike Felsman (Tri-Church).


Devotional... Ian opened with "selections from Exodus 3 & 4, rewritten for youth workers" and the group talked about excuses we use with God and how we depend on God's power in our ministries.


Old business...


The Conference Youth Team meetings are set for the first Saturday of each month (through May) at First Lutheran in Jamestown.


Tara reserved the Gateway Center for a Conference Youth event in February.


Ann got the name of a couple doing youth ministry at St. Mark's, Scott & Brenda Sampson, and will connect with them about youth work in the conference.


Ian has written a draft of prayers for youth, but on second thought is going to solicit prayers from youth themselves at SW Conference events, etc. over the next few months.


Jason hasn't initiated contact with Youth Encounter, but will do so before the next meeting. Jennifer says Bethel is open to collaborating on the annual event.


New business...


The first SW Conference event of 2012 is set for Sunday, February 26 from 1 pm - 4 pm at the Gateway Center, 31 Water Street in Jamestown. It is for youth in grades 5 -12. It is our hope that trying an event after church will make it easier for chaperones to transport youth and result in a better turn out.


The event will be called The Toilet Bowl (a twist on the Super Bowl) because we will be collecting toilet paper for the First Things First Recovery Ministry. Ian met with the program director, Judd Hamilton, and he explained that the men living in this residential program have no disposable income and paper products are much needed. Ian will ask Judd Hamilton if he would be willing to speak on behalf of First Things First at the Toilet Bowl. A roll of toilet paper will be required as part of admission.


The Gateway Center has laser tag, a BMX/Skatepark, games like ping pong, pool, airhockey, video games, and "human foosball." They are asking for $100 for the cost of the staff, plus $5 a person. The first two hours of the event will be open recreation.


The third hour of the event will be a time of contemporary worship. The team suggested inquiring if some young adults in the conference would be willing to conduct worship, such as Adam McKillip, Jason Wood, and Nathan. Ann will inquire about this. If this doesn't work out, Jason suggested the band "To the Sky." Special music and other parts of the program will be handled by youth from the Conference.


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Ian has been in communication with the Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary. There is the possibility of making the SW Conference a peer network of the Institute. A small grant would come with this affiliation, allowing us to purchase books and other materials "to support the personal and vocational development of youth workers." We would need 8 people to agree to meet for a specified amount of time and come up with a learning plan to be eligible. Interest with those present was high, and this will be further discussed in subsequent meetings.


Faith assets...


We continued to unpack the Faith Assets framework by Luther Seminary. This month we explored three assets: Congregational Support, Support of Senior Pastor & Financial and Space Support. The big idea was summarized as "UNLESS YOUTH MINISTRY MATTERS TO THE CONGREGATION, IT DOESN’T MATTER."


We reflected on the following questions:

• If a family with youth would come to your congregation what would be some things they would notice about the congregation?
• Do people make an effort to welcome the youth?
• Looking at the bulletin, bulletin boards, publicity for the church would it appear that youth ministry matters?
• Would the Lead pastor make an effort to communicate with the youth as well as the parents?
• Was there any participation by youth in the last month in the worship services?
• If you were to look at the budget of the church, would youth ministry appear as a high value?
• Where do you see support of youth ministry in your congregation?
• What are some areas you would like to see improved in your congregation to reflect the desire to support youth ministry?

These are great questions to be shared with Christian Ed. committees, councils, and parents. 

Tasks...


Ian will check with Judd Hamilton regarding the conference youth event in February.
Ann will check with Adam & Company regarding worship.
Ann will follow up on the couple at St. Mark's.
Jason will check on prices and dates for Youth Encounter for a possible October/November event.


Upcoming meetings...


2/4/12
3/3/12
4/7/12
5/5/12


Meetings are at 9 am at First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St., Jamestown.


(Note: The Southwestern Conference Youth Ministries Team is open to young people in grades 9 - 12, plus interested adults. Please circulate these minutes to youth, Sunday School teachers, Christian Ed committees, etc.)