2020-09 Youth Ministry

YOUTH MINISTRY DURING A PANDEMIC

[Chronicle, September 23, 2020] When COVID-19 reached our shores and the March order for a lockdown went into effect, the news was beyond devastating. Looking back on those early days of fear and uncertainty, decisions were being made on the fly and life for many was put on hold, including church life.

For youth ministry in the Diocese, it couldn't have come at a worse time. March 20 would have been the Diocese's first major youth event of its kind. The youth retreat, "One Body," was to be held at Camp Mokule'ia, bringing in Jesse Villegas, Canon for Youth and Young Adult Ministries in the Diocese of Arizona, and worship leader, Thomas Toole. It was a critical benchmark for the Diocese's Youth Design Team since its formation in October 2019, and the cancellation was a huge blow to the months of visioning and planning to revitalize youth ministry in the Diocese. Soon after, the highly anticipated world-wide triennial Episcopal Youth Event, EYE20, was postponed and eventually cancelled. The Hawai'i youth delegation of 30 that was scheduled to depart for the East Coast on July 6, would miss out on an incredible experience.

Despite the setbacks and disappointments, there have been hidden blessings. Churches have stepped up their online communications, expanding their reach through live-streaming worship, and utilizing social media. Meetings and even fellowship hours are being hosted on Zoom, and people are finding a sense of convenience with this "new" way of connecting from home. Seminars and workshops that would normally require travel expenses are now being held online, oftentimes free. Being able to participate in "virtual" offerings near and far has been of benefit to many.

The same has been true with youth ministry, but there are unique challenges. While many teens crave social interaction and activity, they are also quite comfortable keeping connected through social media and text messaging. The challenge is figuring out how to engage them in meaningful online worship and fellowship.

The Rev. Ernesto "Jar" Pasalo, the Diocesan Youth and Young Adults Missioner, recently sent out a survey to all churches to gather information about the status of their current youth programs along with demographics. It is a start to building a network for youth in the Diocese. He is also hosting a weekly Compline on the Episcopal Youth of Hawai'i Facebook page (see info near the bottom of the page). The online Compline is not limited to youth, and all are invited to tune in.

The Youth Design Team continues to forge ahead with plans for virtual gatherings through 2021, and are taking their cues from churches finding success in their own online offerings. Camp Mokule'ia is going forward with a positive outlook for summer camp to exist in 2021, with or without pandemic restrictions. A youth survey is currently being compiled to get feedback directly from our youth to see what their needs and interests are, especially during these times of in-person restrictions. The Design Team meets monthly and welcomes input from all involved or interested in youth ministry. Click HERE to share your thoughts and to get on the Diocesan youth ministry mailing list. (Please see the Design Team's Mission and Prayer for Youth Ministry in the Diocese at the bottom of the page.)

In the meantime, we share the journey and activities that some of our youth in the Diocese are currently involved in. All youth are invited to participate, innovate, and share ideas!

QUICK LINK: DIOCESAN YOUTH MINISTRY PAGE

West Side Youth Wa'a: Friday Night Pizza and Prayer

The Rev. Mark Haworth of Halau Wa'a Episcopal, had just started a weekly youth confirmation class when the lockdown went into effect. The news was a bitter pill to swallow. The group, that included youth from Halau Wa'a, St. John the Baptist, and St. Timothy's, enjoyed gathering together in person, but how would they go forward from here? With no other choice but to go online, they continued their weekly classes through Zoom and prepared for their confirmation at The Cathedral of St. Andrew on July 11, 2020. Nine youth were confirmed/baptized that day, but the event almost didn't happen. Extraordinary steps were taken to keep everyone socially distanced and safe with masks and other precautionary measures in place.

In a follow-up article on the event, Fr. Mark shared following: "We met every week via Zoom from the beginning of February, right through to the week of the confirmation itself. These kids are awesome examples of their commitment to Christ, the Church, and our community. I am proud to have been a part of their process." (Chronicle, July 24, 2020)

But their confirmation was just the beginning of their journey together. The group bonded during their online classes, and have now officially formed the West Side Youth Wa'a that continues to meet regularly on Zoom every Friday evening. Along with spiritual guidance from Fr. Mark, there's lots of music and even pizza! Yes, Fr. Mark's wife, Jill, has been known to deliver pizzas and cookies house to house for their meetings!

This is a great model of youth ministry going regional, and with gatherings going virtual during these times, youth from around the Diocese are able to participate. If your youth would like to join a very vibrant group of teens, contact Fr. Mark HERE, or visit their website HERE.

From Fr. Mark Haworth:

The HWE’s West Side Episcopal Youth Wa’a has a core group of teens that formed this hui after they were confirmed together earlier this Summer! These 10 youth wanted to continue to meet with each other, to hold on to this community which they had worked to create. As they move forward as a wa’a, it is our mission to provide a safe, inspirational, and joy-filled environment, where the hui can deepen their relationship to God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus – to live the Way of Love and to share the Way with the communities they live, learn, and love.

We imagine that HWE’s West Side Episcopal Youth Wa’a will continue to gather together on Zoom from their homes in Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Maili, Waianae, Nuuanu, and Kaimuki. This group represents families from Halau Wa’a Episcopal, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, and St. Timothy’s.

Pizza, prayer, and cookie delivery is organized by Auntie J. It is her mission to create community and connectedness in providing the feast. It is Father Mark and Seini Lino’s mission to create the fellowship and fun. So spread the news of HWE’s newest small group ministry!!!

Episcopal Asiamerica Youth & Young Adult Ministry Zoom Gatherings

Two years ago, Hawai'i was the site of the Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries (EAM) National Consultation, which occurs every three years. It brings together seven ethnic convocations: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Southeast Asian, South Asian, and Pacific Islanders. It was also the year they added a new convocation, youth and young adults (Chronicle August-October 2018)

Since then, the EAM Youth and Young Adults Convocation has gathered together in San Francisco in 2019, for their first leadership retreat (Chronicle, July 2019). In 2020, plans were in place to meet in Vancouver, Canada, when the pandemic forced its cancellation. Undaunted, EAM youth leader Carolyn Morinishi, organized its first online Zoom gathering this past Sunday, September 20. Husband Ron and daughter Melissa, helped navigate the complexities of breakout rooms and leading the groups.

Over 20 youth, young adults, and group leaders joined in from as far away as Tokyo! It was a time for getting reacquainted and meeting new people. They played two virtual games, Family Feud and Pictionary, with prizes (gift cards) provided by EAM.

They plan to continue meeting every third Sunday of the month, beginning at 12:00 noon Hawai'i time. ALL youth and young adults are invited to join in... you DO NOT have to be Asian or Pacific Islander to participate in these online gatherings. If you would like to learn more and receive the Zoom link, contact Carolyn Morinishi HERE.

(Below are video snippets from their pictionary challenge using the whiteboard feature on Zoom.)

EAM is led by the Rev. Cn. Dr. Winfred Vergara, Missioner for Asiamerica Ministries, charged to " enable, equip and empower ministries among Asian immigrants and Asian-Americans and help build bridges to Asia and beyond." The ministry was developed to assist dioceses start new Asian congregations, strengthen existing ones, and advocate for Asian empowerment at all levels of the church: seminarians, women, youth, clergy, and lay leaders. For more information, visit the Episcopal Church's EAM webpage HERE

All Saints' Ke Akua Youth Group: Relay for Life

For over 15 years, the youth and Episcopal Church Women of All Saints' Church on Kaua'i have been participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Events, raising as much as $7,000 annually. The folks on Kaua'i take it so seriously that about 5 years ago, the National Relay for Life's highest officials came to observe how a community of this size could raise one of the top amounts in the nation each year! They weren't disappointed... it's a huge deal on the Garden Island with lots of flash, sass, and tons of community and County support. Youth all over the island especially enjoy the overnight event to socialize, walk, and take part in tons of activities to keep them awake and moving.

So it was especially disheartening to learn that this year's event was going to look very different. With certain restrictions on public gatherings, groups held "satellite" walks with limited numbers in attendance, masks, and lots of social distancing. Instead of an all-night event, it was for a couple hours.

All Saints' held their satellite walk on their newly constructed labyrinth, complete with lighted luminaria, and doubled their fundraising goal, bringing in just over $2,000! Enrico Levy, whose father is the Music Director, shared his talents on the piano during the event, while the main "virtual" event was being live-streamed on the church's screen.

“The relay event was amazing," shared Micah Kotska, a member of the youth group. "It was nice to see my friends from youth group again. It felt good to help people.”

"It was especially fun to be in person again," chimed in sister Hannah. "I really felt like we were making a difference!”

Brother Noah added, "We raised a lot of money for Relay for Life. It is a great cause and we were proud to help!”

The Kotska children at All Saints' have been actively engaged with church activities for years. Twins Micah and Noah, along with younger sister Hannah, have attended Camp Mokule'ia's summer programs, and were featured in a promo video for the Camp earlier this year. Their youth group has been meeting online monthly during the pandemic, and take part in the evening compline offered by Fr. Jar.

“I am enjoying our youth group Zoom meetings," said Hannah. "It is not quite the same but just to see and hear everyone from our youth group and to reconnect is important to me.”

Youth Leader Cami Pascua is hoping to start "hybrid" gatherings, with both in-person and online activities. Kaua'i has been able to keep COVID-19 numbers low with no active cases as of this writing, but safety restrictions are still in place.

(Photos from the All Saints' Facebook page.)
To read an article about the Relay for Life event that appeared in the Garden Island newspaper, click HERE.

Evening Compline:

EPISCOPAL YOUTH OF HAWAI'I

Fr. Jar Pasalo, the Diocesan Youth and Young Adults Missioner, has launched a weekly LIVE Compline on the Episcopal Youth of Hawaii Facebook Group page. All are invited to join in every Thursday at 8:00 PM. All sessions are available for viewing on the page if you miss it. If you are interested in assisting/leading Compline, contact Fr. Jar HERE.

GOOD SHEPHERD MAUI

Every Wednesday at 7:00 PM, the youth of Good Shepherd lead Compline LIVE on Facebook. The Cajical family provides great music too! The youth started up this evening Compline in April, and have seen close to 6,000 views in total. To join live or watch at any time afterwards, go to the Good Shepherd Facebook page HERE.

The youth have also continued their outreach efforts with the church's Ka ʻOhana Kitchen that has been serving a free meal every Sunday for years. Teams rotate, and their group assists about once a month. Under current restrictions, boxed meals and water are handed out without social contact.

Mission Statement for Diocesan Youth Ministry:

The mission of the Youth Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai`i is to mālama (care for) middle and high school youth by inspiring, nourishing, and empowering them as they grow more fully in Christ and community

Prayer for Youth Ministry:

God of all generations, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Strengthen and uphold the youth ministry of the Diocese of Hawai‘i. Be present in the lives of the youth and the youth leaders throughout our congregations and ministries. Give us your vision for a youth community knit together as one: inspired, nourished, and empowered by your grace and truth. Fill us with your abiding love and aloha, and guide our Diocese as we walk as one ʻOhana, all generations together, and for all generations to come. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Prepared by the Diocesan Youth Design Team

Sybil Nishioka, Editor & Communications Contractor, Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i
(Header photo is a screen shot of the EAM Zoom gathering.)