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
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
