here's a workshop worth going to

just came to my mailbox:

Center for Parent /Youth Understanding is offering a workship in Gap. (They are based in E-town, and have I mentioned lately how much I really, really like them?)

The notice came automatically through my email, but I think if you go to their website, there will be more information.



The workshop is entitled Hope and Healing for Broken Kids.

All day--8:45 to 5.

Sat. 15 March

$30 such a deal

A Good Word

This was part of a longer article. See the reference below.
I've been thinking about this a lot in the last few months. So this paragraph really stuck out to me when I read it. I mentioned before that I think units on self-esteem/self-image ought to be in your overall plan for your youth curriculum.

Self-Image
Remind them of their uniqueness—that they are special in God's eyes. It's worthwhile to remind your kids that God loves them for who they are, not for what they do. A healthy self-image goes a long way in protecting kids from the negative effects of peer pressure. Teach your kids that each person is a special creation of God. As such, each has the freedom to become all whom God has created him to be. A person who understands that she is loved by God will not be as motivated to conform to peer pressure—and is much more likely to be a positive influence on others.
Jim Burns
The Power of Positive Peer Influence
YM on-line magazine Nov 10, 2009

Yet another conference

this one from Princeton:
a youth ministry forum next April
speakers include: Shane Claiborne, Kenda Creasy Dean,
Peter Gomes
look at their website (they didn't list an address on this ad) or phone
609-497-7914

more convention/conference news

Who out there can afford to go to these things?
Do you already get these notices?

Impact 2010 (again, sponsored by Metro Maryland Youth for Christ)
High School conference March 26-28
held in Ocean City, MD
From the limited information on the big, glossy brochure, it looks as though this is one for you and the kids--not just adult leaders.
call 877-896-3802
or http://www.impact.mmyfc.org/



Group sponsored conference for adult youth workers
Chicago Feb 26-Mar 1, 2010
go to youthministry.com/symc
jr high and high school, college and young adult, family and CE

Got an ad for a big middle school conference.
It's Nov. 20-22 and close by--Ocean City, MD
ALIVE conference Metro Maryland Youth for Christ
877-896-3802
www.alive.mmyfc.org

New Resources

We got the new NOOMA-#24 Whirlwind.

I also bought a copy of
Thinking Theologically about Body Image.
I really think that youth groups ought to do a unit about self-esteem pretty often. Knowing who you are and feeling confident and self-assured helps kids make good decisions. Think about what really knowing that God loves you and has created you can do for your self-perception. Can we help kids with that?

I've talked to you before about the 30 hour famine event which World Vision promotes. They have suggested dates (Feb. or April 2010), but have you thought about having it around the CROP walk?
I have information about this event. Give me a call or email. Or....contact World Vision pretty soon. CROP walk is mid-October.

CPYU (Center for Parent/Youth Understanding) just published a newsletter in conjunction with Group. I have a copy. Come in and read through it.

Christianity Today in Leadership (are they 2 separate magazines?) published an article:
Is the Era of Age Segmentation Over?
You might want to read this. It might affect your job.
They are just asking the question, but the writer has some compelling arguements for doing more intergenerational groupings in a congregation.
I have a copy of this article, too.

I ALSO have a copy of this:
a research report from Nat'l Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia U
The Importance of Family Dinners.
The basic drift is that kids who eat dinner with their families frequently have fewer problems with alcohol, tobacco and marijuana. Seems pretty simple. The report is short and easy to read. You might want to pass this on to parents.

Teen Depression

PRC hosts Congregational Health Ministries every month. This is a noon meeting with lunch--registration is required, and I think there's a $10 fee for the food.
October's offering may be of interest to you:
Teenage Depression:
Prevention and Intervention
Katie Mount from the Samaritan Center is presenting.
Wed, October 21
noon until 1:30
reg deadline Oct 14
call Ruth Stoll 697-6560
or ris15@verizon.net

Addition

about the event at Highland this Friday:
you can buy tickets at the door if you decide to go at the last minute

2ND POST--WOW

More information to share:

locally and this week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Highland Presbyterian on Oregon Pk. in Lancaster is hosting an event this Friday, August 28 6 pm at their building. Taylor Mason, a comedian and ventriloquist, will be performing as will Drive Thru Parking, a contemporary Christian rock band. Tickets are $7 and $5 and can be purchased at www.itickets.com. Highland would like lots of other congregations to feel welcome. This event is for the entire family. Questions? contact Matt Wilcox at Highland 569-2651


Youth CUE
This is the first brochure I've ever gotten from them. Don't know a thing about the organization. I'm just passing along information. This organization is for youth choirs. The flyer they sent has all sorts of trips planned and camp for 2010.
You can come in and look at my brochure or call 210-320-3525 or look on-line www.youthcue.org to get your own.


I would encourage you to schedule some quiet time, a time away, a time of rest. You all (paid workers and volunteer) work hard and your work is emotionally demanding. It can wear you down.
Two places locally that provide retreats are
Oasis Ministries
717-737-8222
www.oasismin.org
419 Deerfield Rd.
Camp Hill, PA 17011

and Kairos: School of Spiritual Formation
717-669-2957
Kairos@on-the-journey.org
offices in Lancaster, retreats in Wernersville

Please do look into blocking out some time this Fall to rest and renew.

First post: introduction and purpose

to all Youth leaders, both professional and volunteer
paid and not
tired and enthusiastic
parent and sweet-young-thing-----

We here at the Parish Resource Center have created this blog basically to relay information. We think this is one more way to fulfill our mission: to strengthen you in your ministry in your own congregation; to train, equip and coach you for leadership and service.

We are just starting this. It's an experiment. We hope this blog will change and grow in ways that will be helpful to you.

We'd like you to make this a regular stop in your on-line work. Just check this site out every several days for new information, for ideas and comments from peers. After we get the hang of this, we envision this as a place where you can contribute as well, where you can network with your colleagues, where we can all exchange information, where we can support one another.

We'll just see where this takes us.

new information to share:
(We get lots of ads and notices from lots of youth organizations. I know that many of you get these mailings, too. But I want to pass this information along, just in case.)

30 hour famine sponsored by World Vision This is a program designed to make congregations aware of hunger and help alleviate it. WV has a ton of materials to help you set up this event. The dates they've chosen (and there would be something really cool about knowing that other faith communities around the world are all doing this on the same weekend) are Feb 26-27 and April 23-24 (you don't have to do it then, though). I have the packet here at the PRC or you can phone 1-800-7FAMINE or go on-line: www.famine2010.org.

NOOMA got one of the new ones--#23 Corner and #24 is on backorder so as soon as the bookstore gets it, I'll get it on the shelf.

CPYU Center for Parent/Youth Understanding I hope you all know about this organization and use their resources. Walt Mueller is the president--maybe you are familiar with his name. They are based right here in E-town. PRC has a bunch of their books. We've been given permission to download their on-line magazine. Check them out.

I think that's enough for the first post.
The plan is to add to the site at least weekly, maybe more often.
Peace to you all.