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Agenda:

  1. Prayer. Guiding Verse: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. (Psalm 32:8)
  2. Wrap-up discussion regarding Need #3 - Review  notes from Nov 24th meeting.
    1. How do we instill responsibility towards the church?
    2. How to address the need of belonging to the church in the older youth?
    3. What do we do about counselling?
  3. Start conversation regarding Need #4
  4. Wrap-up


NEED #4 - Need to be empowered by Faith that makes a difference

    1. Disciple young people. Practices of discipleship:
      1. They are grounded in concrete actions of turning toward and following Jesus rather than ideas or theories about Him;
      2. They offer guidance and direction where there was uncertainty and hesitation; and most of all.
      3. They offer an experience of God rather than facts about God;
    2. Pray together. Not teach how to pray, actually do it.
    3. Delegation. Older generation need to offer opportunities to the new generation.
    4. Ask these questions:
      1. What tasks can we put in the hands of our younger generation.
      2. What concrete guidance can we give them them so they can fulfill those tasks or responsibilities?
      3. What support and encouragement can we give them along the way?


Discussion Notes:

How to: Instill responsibility towards the church:

  • Manal: Main issue is that we don't have clear services for the kids youth to participate in; Need to create new services for the kids/youth to participate in.
    • Working with disabled people within the community?
  • Holy: Some activities which can help kids fell part of the church:
    • Cleaning the church after services
    • Collecting donation items
    • Park clean-up, car washes, any activity which help the youth connecting together
    • Every time we did fund-raising it was for a trip. We should do fund raising to provide for needy people.
  • Youssef: Good opportunity for the younger and older servants to mix and work together. Have the adult part of the service to avoid the service falling through.
  • Nancy: A lot of our activities in the church are passive-based. We need to educate the kids to be inclusive. Example when girls participate in hymns period during liturgy.
    • Renovation of certain portions. Something the kids do together and it remains to remind them of something the did together.
    • Take the fellowship outside in the community. Make the kids feel they are part of the bigger community.
      • For more Spiritual do a more involved bible study
      • For the creative ones, get them to work on projects in the church and community
      • Make the kids feel they are making a difference.
  • Marian:
    • Serve with seniors (as simple as filling govt form), shopping, drive to church/senior meeting.
    • Cleaning of bookstore or food store.
  • Nelly: 
    • In order to feel "I belong", I need to know my church and be proud to be part of this church, this service, this mission etc.
    • Kids/Youth may only be exposed only to St. George Church in Vancouver. How do we educate them to learn more about the bigger church.
    • Consider trips to monasteries, missionary trips, Coptic orphans etc. This will help the kids identify with how big, old and established our church is.


How to: Address the need of belonging to the church in the older youth?

  • Nancy: Individual service to show we care. No strings attached. Find a way for them to use their talents for ministry.
  • This is not a one-time activity, needs follow-up. Coffee meetings.


How to: Foster a counselling mentality for SS kids and youth in our community?

  • There are free counselling courses online. Nelly to send links.
  • El-Mashora course was being taught in English online with Anba Youssef.
  • Nancy: There is a church in Toronto has a course in counselling. Will look into it.
  • The goal is to educate a few servants to be able to recognize issues which need counselling. This is not for the servant to become the professional counsellor (unless they are qualified and willing). It is mainly for recognition and direction to proper counselling.
  • Youssef: Have connection with Christian counsellors who we can refer kids/people to.
  • Nancy: Has a friend (Mariam Damian - Peter) has a PhD. Mona El-Masry is also another local resource. Also Abouna Bishoy Wasfy (responsible for youth service at his church) and Abouna Botros Philobos are professional counsellor, perhaps invite him for overall servants or a smaller group.
  • Nancy to ask Mariam if she can be a resource for us.
  • Find another terminology other than "Counselling" or "Psychologist"
  • Marian: Careful how to address kids and servants, alphabetical
  • Nelly to approach Abouna Bishoy Wasfy:
    • How to recognize when a need for counselling exists?
    • What not to do to avoid exacerbating the problem?
    • What should we do? What is it we can do when we identify the need?
    • How to approach Abouna/parents/family?
    • Do you have some form of youth ministry training?


Discussion with Mervat: Essential factors in creating a sense of belonging

  • Active listening
  • Empathy
  • To be genuine
  • Plan next Tuesday one-on-one, Dec 29th 9 PM. 





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