December 4, 2008 Meeting

Sign In, Social Networking, Morning Hospitality

Introductions

  • Cari led “Fruit Basket Upset”
  • Introduction of those present

Prayer

  • Paula opened with prayer from The Book of Uncommon Prayer, the Youthworker’s Prayer

YMN Business & Announcements

  • Julie Montgomery: Ministry Day April 30, 2009 at St. Joseph, Maple Grove
    • Fr. Lee Piché will speak; break-out sessions will be led by members of the various ministry associations; sessions will focus on “Emerging Models in times of Economic Difficulty”; sessions will also focus on topics such as job stress and increasing responsibility.
    • A youth ministry presenter is needed on youth ministry in times of economic difficulty
  • Antonio Maldonado: Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast
    • Everyone is invited on December 11. There will be a Mariachi band, prayer, and all-night festivities until 5:00 am. Mass will be at 6:00 am, with a procession afterwards that includes the whole community. Everyone is invited to come and see & find out why the feast Is celbrated.
  • Cari White: January YMN meeting
    • We will be meeting the evening of January 8, 6:00-9:00 pm at the Hayden Center. Dessert will be provided. Paula Minell will contact the Hayden Center to see if we are able to park in the lot.

Professional Development:

Prayer for Youth Ministers by Shawn Phillips and Cari White

  • Cari explained the Taizé method of prayer. Taizé is a town in southern France. The ecumenical group of brothers gather three times each day to pray. They focus on silence, repetitive music, and community.
  • Format of prayer:
    • Opening Prayer
    • 2 songs of praise
    • Psalm
    • Scripture reading
    • Song
    • Period of silence
    • Intercessions
    • Our Father
    • Concluding Prayer
    • Final songs
  • Young adults on college campuses are really utilizing this form of prayer.
  • Taizé is:
    • Ecumenical – founded by Brother Roger in 1940
    • Prayerful – singing continues for hours before and after
    • Worship-filled – useful in ministry, especially for reconciliation services, veneration of the cross
    • Simplicity, beautiful, prayerful
    • Silence – most important
  • Shawn spoke about adapting prayer for use in youth ministry
  • Cultural – adapt culture to liturgy vs. adapt liturgy to culture
  • Liturgy means work of the people
  • Take what is popular with youth & adapt to make the “profane” sacred
  • example: Lectio Divina – groups create and present a drama based on the Good Samaritan, Jonah, etc. How can they apply this to their life
  • The most important thing we do is to teach youth how to pray

Submitted by Jackie Scheldorf