The Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ
5609 Douglas Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa 50310
phone: 515-277-6369
fax: 515/864-0012
The Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ |
|
Youth @ General Synod Coordinator's Position Apply now for this position designed for an adult and a high school youth, preferably from the same church. This team will coordinate all details related to the Youth @ General Synod program next year in Tampa, Florida June 29-July 6, 2011. You will receive a cash stipend, a scholarship to a youth ministry training event, paid travel and registration to the Youth @ General Synod program and additional training and leadership development with Nicole Havelka, associate conference minister for youth and young adult ministries. Apply by emailing Nicole Havelka your resume (if you're the adult); both candidates should submit three personal references and a letter of interest including a list of community and extra-curricular involvement, church involvement and membership and volunteer projects no later than Aug. 20, 2010. Position will begin October 2010. See more details in our position description. Questions? Contact Nicole Havelka! |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Iowa Conference UCC Youth Ministry
|
|||
In the Iowa Conference UCC our fourth staff and Board of Directors' priority is to "Facilitate ministry with youth and adults in contexts in and beyond the local church." So, what does that mean? It means that the Iowa Conference UCC Board of Directors created the Associate Conference Minister for Youth and Young Adult Ministries and hired the Rev. Nicole Havelka to fill that position in early 2009. Nicole and the rest of the Iowa Conference staff strive to provide local churches and their leaders with excellent training, workshops that help you have a new vision, and events that challenge and inspire. Check out the resources available here for events, training and leadership development for young people and the adults who work with them! |
Rev. Nicole Havelka Nicole@ucciaconf.org |
||
 |
 |
||
photos from the Youth in Ministry event at the Annual Meeting
|
|||
| Conference events | |||
|
|||
Faith Formation through the Generations Cost: $20 Are you struggling to figure out what to do with smaller numbers of young people in your church? Are you considering a "one-room" Sunday School approach that brings a wide age span together? Carol Wilson, a United Church Education Consultant, will show us the rich opportunities for learning in intergenerational approaches to faith formation and Christian education. She will also introduce us to Faith Practices, a new project of the United Church of Christ which will provide resources for worship, learning, and serving, on 24 faith practices. Arrive on Friday for a social gathering that will help you meet other youth leaders and Christian educators from across the conference! Register here. ROOMS - A block of rooms is reserved at the Grandstay Residential Suites. The cost is $84.90 + tax for a |
|||
Important note about Conference youth events: Remember that, according to the "safe conference" policy, youth participants must be accompanied by an adult chaperone (1 adult for every 6 youth) who is at least 21 years of age and who has completed a criminal background check and online "safe church" training. The background check will be completed upon the submission of chaperone's training. Each chaperone will also receive a user ID and password in order to log onto the online training. Click here to go to the training page. Adults who wish to begin the online training prior to this summer’s youth events should contact Rev. Dan Lozier at inholyservice@yahoo.com with their name, date of birth and email address. He will send a user ID and password that will enable you to log into the training modules.
|
|||
SAVE THE DATE! Iowa Youth @ General Synod Meet other youth and adult leaders from throughout the United Church of Christ, do service together and experience the diversity of the whole United Church of Christ at the biennial General Synod gathering. |
|||
Although we often think of large wider church events as integral to a young person's faith development, there is no replacement for a strong youth ministry that empowers young people to be active, involved members of their local church. To strengthen the youth ministry program in your church, invite Nicole Havelka, associate conference minister for youth and young adult ministries, to lead a workshop in your own church. All workshops are designed for leadership teams comprised of 5-8 youth and adults and can be modified to fit a variety of needs. Here are the workshops currently available: Discerning the WHY of your Youth Ministry: Explore God's call for your youth ministry and create a statement of purpose and a practical plan for living out that purpose. This workshop takes about 8 hours and can be broken into three parts or offered over the course of two days. Connecting your Youth Ministry to your Local Community: Take a look around you and make your youth ministry serve the needs of the youth in your community. This is a 6-hour, one-day workshop. Our Dream for the Church: Begin to dream about what your youth ministry could be by telling stories of your best past experiences of youth ministry. This workshop fits easily into a regular Sunday School class or into a short workshop after worship on Sunday morning. Here are some other workshops in development: Creating a Welcoming Ministry: Meeting the Needs of At-Risk Children, Youth and Families: Using an ethic of peacemaking, create a ministry that offers enough structure and compassion for at-risk youth and their families. Workplanning: Making your purpose a reality: Do you have a vision for your youth ministry, but struggle to make all the pieces come together? Learn more about the practice of workplanning as a tool for implementing your purpose and vision. Don't see what you need? Contact Nicole and work something out!
|
|||
The Iowa Conference UCC knows that relationships are the foundation of good youth ministry. To help support the growth of such relationships, the Iowa Conference Board of Directors developed a sexual abuse prevention policy that requires background checks and training for adults working with minors at conference events and programs. Here's all of what is now required of adult chaperones and mentors BEFORE attending an event:
The new policy spells out the guidelines for appropriate supervision DURING events:
The conference policy assumes that churches will provide their own chaperones for these events in enough time to complete the training and background check. Conference staff encourage churches to work together to find the appropriate numbers of chaperones. If you're planning on participating in a conference youth event you can contact the Rev. Dan Lozer to get your user ID and password. You need only to give him your name, date of birth and email address to get started. Then, go to the Insurance Board website to begin the training. You can also begin by filling out our Youth Volunteer Disclosure Statement in order to authorize the background check. The Insurance Board training is available at no additional cost to any church entity that carries their insurance. The Connecticut Conference UCC offers helpful resources on safe church practices related to youth ministry using social networking, texting and other electronic communication tools. Questions about the safe conference policy? Contact Nicole Havelka.
|
|||
Justice Leaders Engaging and Developing (LED)for older youth and adults. A UCC training program offered by Justice & Witness Ministries (JWM) designed to equip people with the skills needed to develop, strengthen and sustain justice advocacy ministries in our congregations.
|
Global Ministries: A global mission partnership of the UCC and Disciples of Christ. Offers mission resources for youth and adults, including group trips and volunteer, study/travel and mission intern opportunities. |
||
Our Whole Lives (OWL)for youth and adults. A series of sexuality education programs for grades K-1, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, Young Adults and Adults. Resources are written by professional sexuality educators and provide accurate information for parents, teachers and pastors to be used in affirming and supportive settings.
|
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)For older youth and adults. A two-day workshop designed to teach older youth and adults the skills to competently intervene with youth at risk of suicide. Info: Timothy Brown, Y/YA Coordinator for the Coalition for LGBT Concerns. |
||
Council for Youth and Young Adult Ministries (CYYAM) for youth and young adults. Advocates, communicates, coordinates, and networks on behalf of youth and young adults within the United Church of Christ. Representatives are elected at General Synod; nominations requested (6- months before elections) from UCC Conferences and Historically Underrepresented Groups.
|
Sexuality Education Advocacy Training (SEAT) Through workshops on community organizing, advocacy and anti-racism/oppression, SEAT is an annual event that teaches youth, young adults and adult allies to advocate effectively as people of faith for comprehensive sex education. |
||
A new UCC resource page for youth and young adult ministry leaders. Higher Education Resources. Lists UCC colleges, universities, seminaries and scholarship info. |
|||
UCC Outdoor Ministries They offer program and staffing opportunities for young people. UCC safe church policy samples and resources.
|
|||
Insurance Board. For all churches that carry insurance through the Insurance Board, there are free online training resources and discounted background checks for staff and volunteers working with youth. The UCC Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Concerns. A UCC-related organization providing support, sanctuary and advocacy for LGBT people. Faith Practices, a new UCC wiki-based (online) curriculum for all ages. Partners in Education. A professional networking group for Christian educators in the United Church of Christ. Read their current newsletter. See their past newsletters. www.uccfiles.com/ppt/toughtimes2.ppt PowerPoint resource with helpful demographic information about young people www.ucc.org/justice/multiracial-multicultural/being-a-mm-church.html UCC Multicultural-Multiracial Church resources.
|
|||
(NCC) Youth Workers Summit for adult youth ministry leaders. A continuing education event in Orlando Florida, Dec. 1-4, 2010. It is coordinated/sponsored by the United Church of Christ and ecumenical partners in the National Council of Churches. The Summit offers dialogue with youth ministry professionals, worship, skill development workshops, resources and a leadership development seminar led by The Disney Institute. www.youthworkersummit.org
|
Princeton Institute For Youth Ministry Events www3.ptsem.edu/offices/coned/iym/
|
||
Lancaster Theological Seminary’s Leadership Now Program for youth and adults. Includes programs for junior and senior high youth that vary in duration, age group, size and theme. www.lancasterseminary.edu |
Our Whole Lives (OWL) for youth and adults. A series of sexuality education programs for grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, Young Adults and Adults. Resources are written by professional sexuality educators and provide accurate information for parents, teachers and pastors to be used in affirming and supportive settings. To learn more about OWL and/or training: www.ucc.org/justice/sexuality-education/training-schedule.html
|
||
"Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers is telling the American Church" Washington Island WI; June 21-25, 2010
|
A new UCC resource page for youth and young adult ministry leaders. |
||
Princeton Institute For Youth Ministry Events www3.ptsem.edu/offices/coned/iym/
|
Lancaster Theological Seminary’s Leadership Now Program for youth and adults. Includes programs for junior and senior high youth that vary in duration, age group, size and theme. www.lancasterseminary.edu |
||
Emory University’s Youth Theological Initiative has a Summer Academy for a limited number of rising high school seniors. Gathers participants for a three-week experience in Christian theological education. yti.emory.edu
|
The Fund for Theological Education (FTE)
|
||
Duke University Academy for Christian Formation; June 20 - July 3, 2010 A two-week summer program for selected high school students to live in an intentional Christian community on the Duke University campus in Durham, North Carolina. You will study theology with Duke Divinity School faculty. You will practice your faith through gestures of hospitality, servant ministry, justice, reconciliation and reflection. You will be challenged to “swim” in the waters of your baptism. You will meet extraordinary Christians who are transforming the world. Will you consider embracing this journey of faith?
|
|||
Global Ministries: A global mission partnership of the UCC and Disciples of Christ. Offers mission resources for youth and adults, including group trips and volunteer, study/travel and mission intern opportunities.
|
Volunteer Ministries: The office of Volunteer Ministries of the United Church of Christ provides volunteer opportunities for individuals, groups, and events at national UCC meetings. |
||
Mission Trip Opportunity in Kennebunkport, ME Are you looking to plan a mission trip for your church or church youth group? Every summer thousands of visitors come from all over the world to visit the beautiful seacoast town of Kennebunkport, ME. There are breath taking beaches, charming shops, sailing, hiking, horse back riding, and more. Kennebunkport Maine is a popular summer time destination for many visitors. There are also lots to do in terms of mission work in the community. First Congregational Church in Kennebunkport believes in practicing gracious hospitality and welcomes groups looking for mission opportunities. For more information on mission trips and mission projects please call (207) 967-3897 or email firstchurch@gwi.net. |
|||
Our Sacred Space: Pilgrim Heights Camp and Retreat Center:For over 50 years, Pilgrim Heights has been a place for campers to explore their faith and live in community with one another. Located on over 120 acres in the bluffs of the Iowa River, Pilgrim Heights surrounds an 80-acre recreational lake, provides spectacular views and loads of adventure.
|
UCC Outdoor Ministries They offer program and staffing opportunities for young people. |
||
Faith Practices, a new UCC wiki-based (online) curriculum for all ages. Partners in Education. A professional networking group for Christian educators in the United Church of Christ. www.uccfiles.com/ppt/toughtimes2.ppt PowerPoint resource with helpful demographic information about young people www.ucc.org/justice/multiracial-multicultural/being-a-mm-church.html UCC Multicultural-Multiracial Church resources. |
|||
UCC safe church policy samples and resources.
|
Insurance Board. For all churches that carry insurance through the Insurance Board, there are free online training resources and discounted background checks for staff and volunteers working with youth.
|
||
Share 2010 for college students and campus pastors. The national college student ministry gathering of the Christian Church (Disciples) and the UCC. It will be held June 28-July 2, 2010 in Fort Worth and offers fellowship, service, learning, and worship. Coordinated by Student Ecumenical Partnership (STEP). /www.stepnetwork.org/
The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) for youth and young adults.
www.wscfglobal.org World Student Christian Federation, a formational ecumenical movement of Christian students. www.ifyc.org Interfaith Youth Core. A resource for building mutual respect and pluralism among young people of diverse faith traditions. |
|||
www.facebook.com Facebook Groups relating to young people, including:
|
|||
Faith Connects Us. Organization that connects ecumenically engaged young adults and posts ecumenical events, internships. World Student Christian Federation, a formational ecumenical movement of Christian students. Interfaith Youth Core. A resource for building mutual respect and pluralism among young people of diverse faith traditions. National Study of Youth and Religion Research on the shape, influence of religion and spirituality in the lives of American youth.
|
|||
There are a lot of ways to keep in contact with me: Facebook, Twitter, my blog and of course the good "old" telephone and e-mail! I love hearing your questions and comments. After all, my only purpose is to support the ministries of the churches of the Iowa Conference UCC!