Youth Council 2023 - 2024 Ministry Update
Our new Youth Ministry year begins in August, and we are looking forward to what this year will hold for our youth! The goal of our youth ministry is to provide spiritual formation for our youth and to build lasting relationships with their peers and Christ’s Church. We firmly believe that our youth are a critical part of our community, and are capable of incredible works through God’s grace and love. St. Paul inspires us by writing: “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Tim. 4:12). It is our responsibility to open up possibilities for our youth to grow, serve and shine for the light of Christ.
Beloved Ascension Community,
We pray that your summer has been restful and joyful thus far!
Our new Youth Ministry year begins in August, and we are looking forward to what this year will hold for our youth! The goal of our youth ministry is to provide spiritual formation for our youth and to build lasting relationships with their peers and Christ’s Church. We firmly believe that our youth are a critical part of our community, and are capable of incredible works through God’s grace and love. St. Paul inspires us by writing: “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Tim. 4:12). It is our responsibility to open up possibilities for our youth to grow, serve and shine for the light of Christ.
Today our Youth Council is updating our TeamSnap account with updated information for our 2023 - 2024 Ministry Year. This includes updated information for our Youth Ministry Calendar, and, critically, updated information about our youth. Specifically, if your child is aging out of a demographic and moving into the next parea group, then this update will reflect that change. You should find this information updated in your TeamSnap. If not, let us know by responding to this email. If you are new to Ascension Cathedral and would like your child to participate in youth ministry, please reach out to us at ascensionyouthcouncil@gmail.com and fill out our survey!
We look forward to meeting you and connecting with you!
We extend our thanks to our parish leadership for their support and advocacy for youth ministry, our parents for putting Faith first in their homes, and all of our youth ministers who have stepped forward to make this coming year possible. Be on the lookout for more communication from your child’s youth ministry leads in the coming weeks.
In Christ,
The Ascension Youth Council
UPDATE: Altar Fundraiser
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
- Psalm 84:1
Beloved Members of Ascension Cathedral,
A few months ago a fundraiser was started by one of the younger members of our community towards renewing appointments in the Holy Altar and the church. This young man offered his own talent – drawing icons – as well as his time out of his love for the church. What is so thoughtful about this prayerful offering of stewardship is that it is in the purpose of the care for and beautification of our church. Our church does not end at the boundaries of 4700 Lincoln Avenue, so when each of these icons goes to a home, or an office, or wherever their destination might be, that little extension of the church becomes all the more sanctified.
Inspired by this fundraiser, another anonymous member of our community has stepped forward to support this good work and is offering a matching contribution towards the funds raised. So, if you have not had the opportunity to commission an icon or to make an offering, please take advantage at this time, particularly before school begins again this fall. When the fundraiser is complete we will announce the total funds raised and how we will apply the funds.
Commission an icon by contacting Johnny here: 25393@dlshs.org
Finally, the generosity of this anonymous donor is a reminder that when we do something good we inspire others towards good. A wonderful lesson in-of-itself. We extend our thanks to those who have already commissioned an icon and made a donation.
May we have the intercessions of the saints depicted in these icons, and in particular, St. Lawrence of Megara, a master builder, to guide the care of our church and its grounds.
In Christ,
Fr. Nick Mueller
Feast of the Ascension 2023
This past Wednesday and Thursday our community celebrated its feast day and welcomed faithful from around the Bay Area and neighboring clergy. His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos presided over services, and we were blessed with homilies from Fr. Nebojsa Pantic of St. Nicholas, San Jose and Fr. Aris Metrakos of Holy Trinity, San Francisco. We thank the clergy and members of our sister parishes for joining in the joy of the feast.
On the Feast of the Ascension, following Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos elevated Fr. Nick to the office of father confessor.
Crossroad Summer Institute - Applications Now Open
CrossRoad is a ten-day academic summer institute that prepares high school juniors and seniors to make big life decisions and invites them to connect with the Orthodox Christian theological and spiritual tradition in a deep and meaningful way. CrossRoad offers a space for young people to form authentic and lifelong friendships, ask hard questions, and explore their calling as an Orthodox Christian in the 21st century.
Session 3 - San Francisco (July 5 – July 15, 2023) & Session 4 - Chicago (July 22 – August 1, 2023) still have availability. Apply today!
CrossRoad is a ten-day academic summer institute that prepares high school juniors and seniors to make big life decisions and invites them to connect with the Orthodox Christian theological and spiritual tradition in a deep and meaningful way. CrossRoad offers a space for young people to form authentic and lifelong friendships, ask hard questions, and explore their calling as an Orthodox Christian in the 21st century.
Session 3 - San Francisco (July 5 – July 15, 2023) & Session 4 - Chicago (July 22 – August 1, 2023) still have availability. Apply today!
Easter Picnic Reservations Now Open!
Pascha Picnic 2023 - Sunday April 16th
Grounds open at 9 AM & Agape Vespers at 12 PM
A $50 Donation will reserve a table with ten chairs for you and your family on the Platia! Please bring: a meal, shade (umbrella/tent) and a grill if you would like to grill onsite)
Call Diane Fakaros at 510-531-3400 X230 or email ascensionparishlife@gmail.com to reserve your table!
Come enjoy music in the sun! Plus fun for the kids; sports, games, bounce house and Easter egg hunt!
Annual Youth Program Brunch and Survey
Beloved Ascension Community,
Over the past six months, you and your families have participated in many youth program activities. This has been due to the hard work and prayerful effort of our Youth Council which was formally instituted in 2021 and has been working to attend to the needs of children in our community. The Youth Council has conducted extensive research with our youth and families to put forward the following age-appropriate program for growing in the Orthodox faith…
Beloved Ascension Community,
Over the past six months, you and your families have participated in many youth program activities. This has been due to the hard work and prayerful effort of our Youth Council which was formally instituted in 2021 and has been working to attend to the needs of children in our community. The Youth Council has conducted extensive research with our youth and families to put forward the following age-appropriate program for growing in the Orthodox faith:
Infant/Toddler: Provides an easy path for new and existing parents to introduce Orthodoxy to their children, and a welcoming and supportive environment to explore the ministries, events, and traditions of the community.
Preschool: Allows young families to firmly root their preschoolers in Ascension life and community with age-appropriate programming and activities to strengthen connections and sustain engagement.
Elementary: Reinforces fellowship, friendship, community and heritage through activities that prioritize church, spirituality, and character for elementary school kids while supporting them on their journey of discovering the Orthodox faith.
Middle School: Creates the chance to bond with kids of the same age and older, the opportunity for self-expression, and the ability to shine while learning about God's teachings in a loving and fun environment.
High School: Provides a forum for connecting with God, making memories, building friendships and finding ways to make a difference while seeking guidance in relation to Orthodoxy and daily life.
We invite you to join us!
We are actively recruiting parish members to help with our 2023-2024 youth programs, commencing JULY 1. We welcome you to join us to learn more about this initiative at our Youth Council Workshop Brunch on Saturday, March 4th at 9:00 am. The attached flyer has the radiant faces of all our Youth Council co-leaders that have volunteered their time and energy to enrich the lives of all of the children in our community. Please RSVP at ascensionyouthcouncil@gmail.com by February 25th.
We value your opinion!
We need your assistance to make our youth programs even better. Please share your feedback by completing a 5-minute survey. This is your opportunity to provide input that will help guide the strategic direction as we plan for next year. All responses are completely anonymous.
We thank you for making your child's relationship with Christ a priority.
In Christ,
Ascension Youth Council
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension
4700 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602
Youth Ministry Calendar 2022-2023
Please find included below our 2022 - 2023 Youth Ministry Calendar. Our families have continuously voiced the need to plan ahead in order to participate in the life of the Church and its ministries. Establishing a calendar at the beginning of the ministry year empowers our families to put their relationship with Christ and His Church first.
This calendar, as well as the range of ministry events it features, were developed over the past year in response to many named needs of our community. Ascension’s youth, parents and families told us about their needs and concerns – and we listened. In fact, as we engaged our youth they told us directly that they want opportunities to find out how they can “shine” and how they can lead in the Church. The events we have planned for this next year directly stem from those conversations. Join the conversation by completing our Youth Survey here.
Reverend Clergy, Honorable Parish Council Members & Beloved Parishioners,
“Where do you see yourselves in the Church in 5 years?”
Our oldest campers were asked this by our camp staff during their overnight camping trip at our Ascension Summer Camp this past month.
In turn, we must ask ourselves as a Church: what we are doing to help our youth positively answer this essential question, “Do you see a future for yourself with Christ and His Church?” Our hope should be not merely that they answer, “yes,” but that their curiosity and vision are ignited. Our responsibility is to empower our youth to discern who they are in Christ, develop as leaders, acquire new skills, and find their own unique way they will reflect the Light of Christ.
To this end, please find included below our 2022 - 2023 Youth Ministry Calendar. Our families have continuously voiced the need to plan ahead in order to participate in the life of the Church and its ministries. Establishing a calendar at the beginning of the ministry year empowers our families to put their relationship with Christ and His Church first.
This calendar, as well as the range of ministry events it features, were developed over the past year in response to many named needs of our community. Ascension’s youth, parents and families told us about their needs and concerns – and we listened. In fact, as we engaged our youth they told us directly that they want opportunities to find out how they can “shine” and how they can lead in the Church. The events we have planned for this next year directly stem from those conversations. Join the conversation by completing our Youth Survey here.
We are excited to see where we will be in 5 years! Save these dates today!
In Christ’s Service and yours,
Fr. Nick
