Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Report from a visit with United Methodist youth planning worship
Report from Betty Grit:
At 8:00 on a warm summer Friday evening, I was privileged to meet with almost 30 high school and middle school youth at Adrian College who had gathered to plan Sunday worship. They had arrived at Adrian College from United Methodist congregations throughout eastern Michigan as well as the Upper Peninsula on Wednesday. The five day leadership camp would engage them in learning about worship planning and leadership based on the curriculum “Lay Speakers Lead in Worship.”
As they gathered to plan worship, they were led by two young people who exhibited an understanding of worship, of group dynamics, of decision making and delegating. After decisively determining that the theme of the service would be The Armor of God, they broke into small groups. Each individual was invited to participate in the group where “you can help best” – music, free expression (drama, dance), prayer and visuals. All agreed that communion should be a part of the service and they would seek a pastor to lead. The two leaders were asked (and agreed) to bring the message.
While the groups scattered to make plans for their portion of the service, Brandon, one of the leaders stopped to talk with us. He told us that he has been a certified lay leader for four years. Brandon, who will be a high school senior, expressed his enthusiasm for worship and the privilege of leading worship. Later we observed Brandon playing his guitar as he and a vocalist were considering the selection of music for the service. Brandon is certified in two separate areas: Lay Speakers Lead in Worship and Lay Speakers Interpret Our United Methodist Heritage to Others. He participates in worship in his home congregation by acting as Liturgist once a month.
In a conversation with Laurie Kaufman de laGarza and five other adult leaders who were seated in the back of the room, we learned more about how this August gathering will be part of a year-long process which will bring these young people together to learn about worship. They are taught leadership through modeling and practice. In May at the Detroit Annual Conference, all new youth lay speakers will be introduced and a report will be given to the conference about the results of the grant. It was encouraging to learn that at the Annual Conference youth delegates are welcomed as full voting participants.
The Worship Renewal Grant proposal from the Detroit Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church drew the attention of our Grants Advisory Board not only because of the excellent year-long project that was proposed but also because the proposal was written by youth. We were grateful to meet Robert Starkey, one of the project leaders at the Grant Colloquium in June at Calvin College. Meeting with others who developed the proposal and observing them plan worship, confirmed the significance of the project in which they are involved. We were encouraged to see these church leaders in action!
Update: Report on the Fall Rally of the Conference Council on Youth Ministry, at the website of the Detroit Conference Council on Youth Ministry
Grants • Leadership • Worshipers • Worshipping Communities • (0) Comments • Permalink