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Deanery
Youth
Missioner ,
Sarah
Harrington
A View from
Our Youth
Deanery Youth Group
Three years ago after graduating with my Bachelor’s in early
childhood education, I took on the challenge of being the Niagara
Deanery Youth Missioner. This was a big shift for me, as I had
spent the previous 5 years working with young children, and
focused on academics and college life. So, as I was thrust into
the “adult world” I was called back to my roots, the church,
with a chance to share my faith with the emerging youth of our
deanery. I was excited by this opportunity because my own middle
and high school years in the church had led me to discover and
form my own deep spirituality. I was also very nervous because
I knew what kept a kindergartener’s attention, but I wasn’t
so sure about how to excite the adolescent crowd. Now, thanks
to the commitment and energy of both the youth and young-hearted
adult mentors, I can look back and say that we have had a great
time together as the “Niagara Deanery Youth Group”. During this
time I have watched many of our youth grow and develop in their
faiths and lives. Some have graduated and moved on to serve
our country or go to college. Others have moved out of their
comfort zones and participated in larger Diocesan youth events,
opening up a whole new world of “the church” to themselves.
Together we have grown in friendship and faith.
As our deanery continues to evolve and stay committed to youth
programs we have decided to try a different approach. Instead
of a “youth missioner” and monthly meetings we have created
a “Deanery Youth Ministry Team”. This group of youth-minded
volunteers will collaborate to provide a few deanery-wide youth
programs during the coming year. I pray that you will continue
to support the youth within your own parish as well as these
programs. I believe that while it is important to cultivate
the spirituality of our youth at the parish level, it is also
necessary for youth to meet as a larger community. My own experiences
as a youth outside of my church infused in me a passion for
sharing my faith and being involved in the church. Meeting youth
and priests from all around the Episcopal church and seeing
the many differences that come together to make us a Christian
community has made me assured that no matter where I may travel
or go in life there will always be an Episcopal community that
I can feel welcomed in.
Thank you for all of your support. I look forward with excitement
to the new future of our deanery youth programs!
With peace,
Sarah Harrington
Make Camp Part
of Your Summer!
Junior High-August 8-14
Dunkirk Conference Center
Sleep Away- August 18-21
Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center
Details/pictures/paper available:
www.Eyouthwny.org/camps.html
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