Youthful thoughts...

noreply@blogger.com (Katherine!) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:41:00 +0000

On April 19th I will be putting together a special worship service for both the 9am and 11am Services entitled "Do you have it?" and based on Galations 5:22-23. This will be the Youth Group theme for the remainer of the 2009 school year and into the Summer. I am hoping to get ALL of our youth involved in the services in someway. Do you have an idea of something you could contribute? I am splitting the service into 6 sections based on the 8 "Fruits of the Spirit" highlighted in the verse-
Love/Joy, Patience, Kindness/Goodness, Gentleness, Self Control and Faith.
If you would like to read a poem, sing a song, perform a Skit, or produce a media piece based on any of these "Fruits" please let me know.
Do YOU have it?
Watch this video to get see the commercial for our Service:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oLq7mj25Y0

noreply@blogger.com (Katherine!) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0000

UMYF Benediction

At the close of each meeting the youth form a circle, lift up their prayers and praises to God and recite the United Methodist Youth Fellowship Benediction.

It is taken from the Book of Numbers 6:24-26.

(Youth- Learn it by March 29th and get a prize!)

May the Lord bless you and keep you;

May the Lord make His face shine upon you,

and be gracious to you;

May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

and give you peace.

Forgiveness Poem

noreply@blogger.com (Katherine!) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 02:44:00 +0000

I wanted to share a poem that was written by one of our 11th Grade youth. Recently we have been talking a lot about the consequences of our actions here on earth and the grace and love we receive from God when we repent for our sins. Here is what Clara Sciortino wrote...

I'm hiding, waiting on impending doom,
The vengeance for the dreadful deed I've done.
The bursting rain clouds menacingly loom
Above my head to hunt their prey the sun.
My soul is heavy, burdened with regrets,
I never meant to hurt the ones I love.
I long to find a way to pay my debts
And somehow find forgiveness from above.
Then, gentle wisdom breaches dark and night
Encouraging confession and release.
Possessing courage granted by new sight
I rise up with long hidden inner peace.
A cleansing rain pours down my face
As mercy leads me back to love's embrace.

noreply@blogger.com (Katherine!) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:27:00 +0000

Broomball Overnight “Clean Sweep” Report

On Saturay February 28th Youth from NUMC joined other Methodist MYF groups from all over the Santa Barbara District for an Overnight – mini conference Event all about making a “Clean Sweep” in their lives. Our youth choose from 8 of the different seminars offered and enjoyed discussion and activities focused around Relationships (setting boundaries), Anger (Letting go of resentment), Forgivness and Leadership. Then they were introduced to the fun game of Broom hockey on Ice! After one regretful incident J, the rest of our youth enjoyed making goals and “hanging” with all the other 100 teens. After broomball, there was a worship service at Westlake Village UMC which included acustic music and a sermon given by a recent High School Grad who talked about her faith and how she had to struggle to hold onto her beliefs in college. She talked about how she turned to the Bible in times of trouble and learned to define herself through Jesus as a Christian. Here is what Clara Scorintino had to say about the event: “I am so happy that you took us…I got something out of every session… It was fun and meaningful at the same time. I had a good time!”
I am looking forward to taking our youth to more District and Conference Events! Katherine Stanfill

Why have a Youth Group?

noreply@blogger.com (Katherine!) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:37:00 +0000

When I was in 7th grade I was kind of a loser. I read an average of 2 novels a week by the handball courts of my Junior High, often alone with a sack lunch of yogurt and tomatoes that I packed from home (yuck!). I remember feeling really out of place most of the time. I felt like nobody really understood me…. Week by week, the days often felt arduous.

Except on Sundays- On Sundays at my church I ALWAYS felt accepted by peers. I had an amazing support group of Adults who really seemed to notice and care about me. I was challenged to “think” and ask questions about my beliefs, and I was also given many opportunities to develop my faith and lead others in ministry. It was also a time when I could just “hang out” with people who really seemed to care. And on occasions it was a place where I could travel to new places, see good movies, and play goofy games! It was a place I called “UMYF” or “United Methodist Youth Fellowship”. It was in this group where I found a safe environment where I was accepted, loved and valued.

Flash forward 15 years later- I no longer eat alone, instead many of my closest friends today are those I grew up with at UMYF. I find myself here at NUMC with an amazing chance to work with teens who might find themselves at a similar crossroads in life and it is my goal and privilege to help nurture another “UMYF” group for a new generation. What a blessing to be at a church where I feel encouraged and supported to make ministering to youth not just my passion by also my career!

In the next few months I will be working with like minded Parents, Youth and Congregants to grow and develop this ministry. I welcome all your ideas, thoughts and enthusiasm and invite you to join me on this journey!

Katherine Stanfill (Director of Christian Education)- Katherine@northridgeumc.org