Showing posts with label youth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label youth. Show all posts

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Family Ministry Programming During COVID-19

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

Like others, our Family Ministry has had to adapt and create new ways to provide resources for families to stay connected and engaged in faith formation at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whereas we emphasize the faith formation of households with children, the name “Family Ministry” encompasses families with children and our St. Paul’s Family as a whole. Therefore, I was thrilled to hear one new offering is being used by members of all ages.

The new Daily Faith email series provides a variety of “bite-sized” opportunities for reflection, education, and connection at home. Examples of these curated resources include coloring pages, mealtime meditations, and videos about, well, pretty much anything. I invite you to take advantage of this offering by subscribing to our mailing list HERE.

Other program adaptions include a weekly schedule of virtual gatherings on Zoom for our Kids Crew (ages 4-10) and Youth Crew (ages 11-18). We are taking a holistic approach by offering traditional-type Christian education and casual, fun, and relationship-oriented offerings every week for both age groups. To view our full schedule, visit the “Online Gatherings” page on the St. Paul’s Cathedral website. For curated memes, updates, and reflections, follow our Family Ministry Instagram (@cathedral.fam)

I am excited to see how our virtual ministry is taking shape. In January, I joined Dean Penny, Father Jeff, and other leaders at the “Rooted in Jesus” conference in Atlanta, Georgia, where there was an emphasis on re-thinking what church looks like in the 21st century; how ought the Church engage with and respond to the needs of our world today? Little did we know how soon we had to utilize what we learned at the conference in response to COVID-19. Ultimately, however unfortunate and challenging the circumstance, I recognize the opportunity for radical transformation in the ways we do faith formation at St. Paul’s in the future.

Your sister in Christ and community, 
Maya Little-Saña, Youth Minister

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Introducing our Newest Faith Formation Staff Members

As your Director of Outreach and Faith Formation I am excited to announce the hiring of two new members to the St. Paul’s Cathedral staff and Faith Formation team.

 They are Maya Little-Saña and Abigail (Abby) Creager.

Maya Little-Saña, a San Diego native and St. Paul's parishioner for three years, is a student at San Diego City College pursuing an Associate’s Degree for Transfer to SDSU in Religious Studies. She believes working at St. Paul's with the youth will help her discern her vocation and "where her deep gladness and where the world's deep need" meets. She enjoys poetry, the beach, and dancing at local punk rock concerts. Maya officially joined the staff as our new Youth Minister on August 1st, and has already begun brainstorming new and exciting ways to cultivate community amongst the youth at St. Paul’s.



Abby Creager, from Monterey, CA, is the Cathedral's new Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries. After recently moving to the San Diego area, Abby began working as a Sunday School coordinator at La Jolla Presbyterian Church. She has extensive experience in church ministry, played violin in her church's worship team for eight years and participated in mission work in Mexico. Abby earned her degree in violin performance from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and has been playing and performing for the past 18 years. She loves working with families and kids, and is so passionate about helping others through ministry. She is excited to be at St. Paul's and is thrilled to serve the community.

Together, the three of us will make up the Faith Formation team here at the cathedral. We will work together to bring the community multifaceted intergenerational faith formation offerings as well as strive to cultivate a sense of community around these various offerings.

As Director of Faith Formation, I am overjoyed to welcome Maya and Abby onto the staff and so excited to see what we can do together. Please welcome Abby and Maya as you see them around campus this week, and make sure to let them know the ways you would like to get involved with Children, Youth and Families ministries this year.

 Peace,

David Tremaine
Director of Outreach and Formation

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Thanks, Team Torch!

This summer, our Cathedral Youth joined us on the Chancel to experience altar service ministry. They served as torches (candle bearers), crucifers, thurifers, and vergers.  It was a great experience for all, and they are welcome back any time!

Thanks to Susan Hulbert for the photos.








Saturday, July 12, 2014

Update from the EYE

San Diego Delegates Max, Ben, and Gabe
with the Presiding Bishop
Update from Christine D'Amico about the Episcopal Youth Event

We have three youth currently in Philadelphia participating in EYE with Susan Hulbert as the chaperone.

Susan is sending out amazing updates and pictures and I want to share them with you. When my 10 year old daughter Francesca saw all of the pictures and read the updates her response was, "I want to go to EYE." So now it is something for her to look forward to. Maybe your child or youth will feel the same way.

EYE is an amazing opportunity for our youth and something not to be missed. It happens every three years and the youth must be in high school to participate. So there is really one and maybe two chances to be part of this really unique experience with our national church! We let youth and families know about it through their youth classes and by emails sent out to families on our email list.

The three youth that are there participating are planning to come back and share much of what they have learned with all of us. So think about when EYE might be a good option for your family - and stay tuned over the coming months for more EYE events so you can learn some of what our youth learned and experienced while away.

Here is some of what the youth are doing and some photos you can check out.
________________________________________

From Susan Hulbert
Hello all, today to honor the theme of mission we embarked after morning worship on an urban adventure in Philadelphia. We went to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell ( no time to go in either but outside photos), then to Christ Church to learn about the history of the Episcopal Church.

Max D'Amico plays the organ in the Cathedral
in Philadelphia
There the boys met and talked to the current  bishop. We learned about responses to and services for the homeless at ECS Phil and viewed a film made by students there to raise awareness of issues of homelessness and hunger. We learned more about Episcopal history at St Peter's  and also about their programs to feed and cloth the hungry and homeless. Then we visited the Episcopal Cathedral. Then we went to the art museum where we all ran up the steps like Rocky Balboa and had a feast of Philly foods (cheesesteak) and a DJ for dancing. We returned to Villanova and had evening prayer with the PB and the Phil Gospel Chorus and St Thomas church group. We are exhausted in a happy way. All are sad tomorrow is our last day. Thanks all for the prayers and support. Peace and blessings !


Lots of activity!


Tuesday, July 1, 2014

All EYEs on youth


Every three years, over 1500 Episcopal youth in grades 9-12 from all over the United States, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Ecuador gather to worship, study scripture, deepen their faith and encourage one another to live faith-filled lives and grow in love for God.

This year, the Episcopal Youth Event 2014 is being held at Villanova University outside Philadelphia, from July 9-13. Three youth (Max D’Amico, Gabe and Benjamin Hulbert) and their chaperone (Susan Hulbert) will represent St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Diocese of San Diego at this year’s EYE. They plan to learn a lot at EYE, and to bring what they learn back to their parish and Diocese.

This is a mission trip of a different kind. Instead of building houses, feeding the hungry or assisting the poor, this group is on a mission to learn, grow and expand within the Episcopal Church. Their mission is to capture important messages, experiences, stories and insights that they can bring back to share with all of us in San Diego from the larger church in the United States. They are on a mission to uncover new, deeper, and interesting ways to find God and then to explore ways to talk about that with others. When Gabe, Benjamin, Max and Susan return from EYE they will have multiple opportunities to share their experiences with individual churches and our Diocese as a whole. Here is some of what each EYE attendee is hoping to find while on their EYE mission this summer:

Gabe has been very active in Happening events as well as the Annual Convention, was a member of the Diocesan mission trip to the Navajo Nation in 2013, and has been a leader for youth programs in the diocese for several years. He is interested in meeting more young Episcopalians and others involved in youth ministry in the Episcopal Church. He wants to learn from what they have done and use what he learns to improve our St. Paul’s and Diocesan youth programs. Gabe is looking forward to becoming part of a larger network of youth and youth leaders in the Episcopal Church.

Max staffed his first Happening event this winter and is an active member of that community. As a senior member of the St. Paul’s Cathedral boys choir last year, he helped tremendously in training and mentoring the younger choristers, and he often takes on a leadership role within his youth group at St. Paul’s. Max wants to meet more people from all over the country so that he can learn from a broad number of viewpoints. He is looking forward to discussions that are wide-ranging and diverse. He hopes to learn from EYE about things he can do in our parish and Diocese to improve our youth ministry.

Benjamin has been a committed youth group member and acolyte at St. Paul’s, where he is the youngest and (most enthusiastic) thurifer. He has been active at Happening and at Annual Conventions, and has attended church-sponsored youth seminars on global human rights issues at the UN. Benjamin hopes that EYE 14 includes topics he can bring back for discussion at St. Paul’s youth group, especially topics that tie into international concerns. He is looking forward to meeting new people from different parts of the country and learning how the Episcopal Church is different in other parts of the US.

Susan is a member of the Chapter at St. Paul's Cathedral and a strong voice for youth programming within our region. Susan is excited to support the youth on this great adventure, welcomes the opportunity to deepen her faith, and hopes to get some ideas for energizing and expanding youth ministry at St. Paul’s and in the Diocese.

Our EYE contingent leaves for Philadelphia on Tuesday night, July 8 and returns on Sunday night, July 13. Please pray for our delegation to EYE in the week ahead and while they are at EYE 2014 in Philadelphia. Also follow us on social media #EYE14, #EYEEDSD14, #EYESPC14

Christine D'Amico




Monday, January 13, 2014

What is an Episcopalian? Ben's story

Interested in learning more about the Episcopal Church or the foundations of the Christian faith? Join The Revs Laurel and Colin Mathewson on a 12-week exploration of Anglican Christian tradition on Wednesday nights starting January 15 at 6-8 pm in the Guild Room. 

The course is free, a light supper will be served ($5 donation), and child care is available upon request. ALL ARE WELCOME!  Register online at stpaulcathedral.org/whatis.   Questions? Contact Colin at mathewsonc@stpaulcathedral.org, or 619-977-8173.
 
 In the testimony below, high school student Ben Hulbert describes the welcome he felt as a youth member of the class.
___________

What is an Episcopalian?  is a great class. After hearing what a brilliant and enlightening experience my family had when they attended it when my brother was confirmed, I decided to at least make a solid attempt at attending the What Is An Episcopalian? classes, since I wanted to get confirmed. What I found was a truly unforgettable experience.

Confirmation for youth means attending the class and studying at home. A year prior, I had seen what my brother Gabe had done at home with my parents as a youth at the cathedral preparing for confirmation. I would watch from the staircase or ignore them, as I was busy with school. However, a small part of me wanted to participate in the prayer, contribute my own words to the discussion that, as least from what I saw, was more educational and fascinating than the schoolwork I was dreading to start.

I came into the St Paul’s community after years of attending Catholic school and church, which had left me feeling somewhat hostile towards religion.  Plus, attending a class  on a weeknight that wasn’t within the confines of school hours did not appeal to me in the least. Yet going to church and having only a slight clue about what the clergy were speaking about was also an emotion I did not wish to possess. As a result, my feeling of curiosity overtook my feeling of resentment and decided to attend the class.

In the environment of the What is an Episcopalian? class, no one judges. So long as you love God, accept Him into your heart, and are respectful of the people you sit next to, no one will reject your presence, criticize your beliefs or ostracize you as an outsider.

As accepting as they were, I am a person who prefers more one-on-one contact when learning something new. To compromise, after about half of each class, Christine D’Amico, the youth minister at St. Paul’s, educated me on all the lessons and history that was being discussed in the room right down the stairs. We reviewed the exact same text as the adults did, but in a more personal setting.

During one of the classes, the clergy ran a mock service where all the attendees were able experience first hand what being on the altar is like. This occasion inspired me to become a thurifer, the handler of incense. I trained in the summer to become a thurifer and I enjoy it now.

Retreating to the upstairs room for private secession with Christine did not stop me from enjoying the great food for only $5 that is part of the What is an Episcopalian? class—and yes, you could come back for seconds.

During the class I was inspired to get more involved in the Diocesan Youth program, as well as our own Youth program. I attended the Diocesan convention and a youth retreat for a weekend. I am excited to go to the Episcopal Youth Event in Philadelphia this summer.

What is an Episcopalian? is a great class I would recommend for youth and adults alike.

-Ben Hulbert

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Something is happening with our youth....


I see magic is starting to happen for our St Paul's youth and it is so much fun!

It is happening in Godly Play and I know it is there when I hear parents telling me that their son can't wait to get to church so he can play with his Godly Play buddies after the lesson. They are excited to be together and this little crew of boys is having such a great time talking about our Godly Play stories together and then playing up a storm afterward. They and their wonderful parents are showing up and helping connections to form and it is magic to see it take shape on the carpet before our very eyes.

It is happening for our Growing with God group in a different way. They are one of our biggest classes right now with 10 students most weeks. They are wild to read from their new bibles and sometimes I have to just bag my lesson for that week because what they want to do most of all is to keep reading the bible story unfolding in front of them. Each child takes turn reading a paragraph and we go around and around the table reading and then discussing what this story is all about. The youth are eager to explore and there are so many of them every week that they are building something really unique - it is all of their own making.

Again it is happening for our teens in ways I could never have even imagined. I surely didn't experience this magic at church when I was a teen. Something special is happening every Sunday in that Guild Room while 10:30 church is taking place. They are a talkative group with lots to say about their lives. And they have been good to one another from the start. Then a couple of months ago a group of the teens all went to Happening together. This is a youth encounter weekend put on the by the diocese and we had six of our youth sign up together to either staff or attend. These six are now on fire to connect with one another at church. My 14 year old son was begging me to go to, and be early, for the 3-hour Easter Vigil service. What is that about? It is the magic of a beautiful little community built on love and acceptance that is forming for our teens. They are there for one another and for all of the other youth around the table and it is pretty amazing to watch happen.

Parents are committed to showing up, kids are coming with open hearts and willing hands, volunteer teachers and assitstants are giving of their time to allow these four classes to run every Sunday morning and you put all of that together with a loving and accepting attitude which comes from God and we have something really special.

It is magic - it is inspiring - it is real - it is everything I would want a youth and family program to be! You all have made something so special come to life here at St. Paul's! Thank you all!

Christine D'Amico

Monday, September 6, 2010

Camp Spirit: We Went Around the World and So Much More

This August I ran my first session of Camp Spirit and I have to say the name fit the week! To set the stage the average age was 10. We had youth as old as 13 and as young as 4. The youth were St. Paul’s members as well as several of their school friends and several friends from my neighborhood who are not members of the church; and one participant whose mom found us on the internet! We were together from 9-3, Monday – Friday for the week. Most of the youth came the full week with a few coming once or twice as they could. The group was bubbling with spirit in every way imaginable!

I saw spirit in action in the wonderful way the St. Paul’s community supported this effort. Everyone I called was glad to help out. And so with the contributions of Anne Walter, Anne Whattoff, Karla Holland-Moritz, Richard Lief, and Mary Keller, we had a parishioner contributing something to Camp Spirit each day of the week. That was really cool.

I felt spirit in action from St. Paul’s staff. They were all fantastic partners to work with throughout the week. We had water when we needed it for thirsty kids. We had ice cream sandwiches on a hot day. We had tour guides and a BBQ lunch waiting for us one day. And on our last day we had a beautiful tea party all set up for us. The staff’s care for and enjoyment of the youth was heartfelt.

As you can imagine, the classroom was filled with spirit of the physical type most of the day – but there was also a lot of spiritual spirit woven throughout our days. The bigger girls were all very interested in watching out for the younger campers. Most of the youth did a super job sharing, taking turns, and listening to one another. And we laughed a lot. A sure sign of spirit in action.

My parent volunteers for the week were gifts – each bringing their best for the kids and I made use of their extra hands all week long. They helped me do what it took to keep 15 – 20 youth headed in one direction as we ran about Balboa Park and Hillcrest on our various adventures, all done with love and respect. Even better they each became new found friends!

I found spirit alive in our community at large as they welcomed us to their restaurant for an Indian lunch, their daycare to attend our play production, their museums and gardens for tours, and their trolley as we waved at all of the passers by in Balboa Park “Sound of Music” style.

I found spirit at work through the content as we learned about the peace of a Japanese Garden, the connections between world religions and powerful lessons found in a simple Estonian folktale. We all expanded our understanding of other cultures and other religions.

Finally I saw the power of spirit that comes in a connected community at our final Tour and Tea event as children lead adults on a tour of the cathedral and then enjoyed the beauty of a perfect afternoon with visitors, parents, volunteers, siblings, and staff sipping tea with sugar cubes our of pretty little tea cups.

For me it was one of those great moments that come periodically, reminding you of the best that life can be:
  • real connections with others
  • comfortable and relaxed
  • sights, smells, and tastes appealing to the senses
  • simple and meaningful
  • surrounded by love

I was pooped by the end of the week but also so satisfied by all of the meaningful connection that had been made in the course of five days. Let me know if this is something you’d like to be a part of in the future….I’m already day dreaming about where Camp Spirit might take us next year.


May your days be filled with spirit -
Christine D’Amico
St. Paul’s Associate for Children Youth and Family.