Church of the Holy

Communion

Youth Task Force 2008

 Mission Statements
➢ Church of the Holy Communion: Rebuilding the walls of
Orthodox Christianity as ambassadors for Christ, reconciling
the world to God.

➢ Youth Task Force: To cast a vision and plan of action for our
youth program for the next five years with projected
expenses. Tangible goals will be set for years 1, 2, and 3. Our
findings will be presented to the Vestry at the Vestry meeting
on December 21st, 2008.
 Youth Task Force Goals
➣To expand the ministry and membership of the church through
comprehensive, age appropriate, Christian youth programs
➣To design a comprehensive youth program that is consistent with our
core
values so that the concepts can be replicated at other REC churches
throughout the country
➣To have children that when they are in High school and leave for college,
are committed Christians who will continue to put faith and worship at
the
center of their lives
➣To create an organizational structure that will serve to address the needs
of our youth program from January 1st 2009 to perpetuity
➣To launch a “brand new” youth program in September of 2009
 Organizational Structure
The Youth Director will oversee the youth program in consultation with the Adult Advisory
Committee, Sunday School Teachers, and the Youth Council. All working under the
leadership and authority of the Rector and Vestry of Church of the Holy Communion.

➢The Youth Director oversees the Youth Program under the Rector and Vestry. His oversight
includes the Adult Advisory Committee, the Youth Council, Sunday School Teachers,
Senior Bigfish, Junior Bigfish, Elementary, Kindergarden and Pre-K children.
➢An Adult Advisory Committee of 3 members of CHC will be selected by the Youth Director
to serve a one year term beginning June 15th of each year. Their oversight includes Senior
Bigfish, Junior Bigfish, Elementary, Kindergarden, and Pre-K children.
➢Sunday School teachers will be selected by the Youth Director to serve a one year term
beginning June 15th of each year. Their oversight includes Elementary, Kindergarden, and
Pre-K children.
➢A Youth Council consisting of 4 Bigfish members will be selected by the Youth Director to serve a one year
term beginning June 15th of each year. Among this group would be a Senior Youth Warden (Represents
Youth Director to Youth), Jr. Youth Warden (Represents Youth to Youth Director), a Secretary, and a
Treasurer. Their oversight includes Senior Flair and Junior Flair
Organizational Structure
Bishop

Vestry

Youth Director

Adult Advisory
Committee

Senior Bigfish

Junior Bigfish

Elementary/K/Pre-K

Sunday School Teachers

Senior Bigfish

Junior Bigfish

Elementary/K/Pre-K

Youth Council

Senior Bigfish

Junior Bigfish
Believers
In
God
Faithful
In
Serving
Him
Mission Statement:
The Mission of BigFish is to grow spiritually through
the
study of Holy Scripture, sharing our faith, and building
relationships with others.
 Beliefs
➢We believe we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ
➢We believe in One God, who has manifested Himself as a Trinity of

Persons, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost

➢We believe in the authority of Holy Scripture contained in the
canonical writings of the Old and New Testaments
➢We affirm 3 Catholic Creeds: The Apostles (Originated from the
Apostles), The Nicene Creed (381), The Athanasian Creed (Late 4th
Century)
➢We affirm the 39 Articles of Faith
➢We affirm both the 1662 and 1928 Books of Common Prayer
➢We believe in the sanctity of all human life
 Core Values
➢Serving our Triune God out of love and worship
➢Studying and following Holy Scripture
➢Sharing our faith in word and deed
➢Serving our church community
➢Serving those outside our church community
➢Serving as role models for future generations
➢Practicing good stewardship with all our resources
➢Practicing good stewardship concerning God’s creation
To be an active, effective, and spirit-filled youth
ministry, faithful to God, reaching out to others, and
capable of serving as a model for other churches.
 Goals:
Short-Term
➢Establish a consistent quite time in the next 6 weeks
➢Bring a friend to a BigFish event in the next 6 months
➢Go to a Christian Concert in the next 6 months
➢Visit another youth group in the next 6 months

Long-Term
➢Plan a youth retreat weekend in the next year
➢Plan new BigFish fundraisers within the next year
➢Serve at Ronald McDonald House consistently within a
year
➢Establish a Youth House within the next 2 years
 Resources
➢People: We have a growing church with a membership of over 350 people.
Our youth program has approximately 60 kids ranging from Pre-K to 12th
grade. We have 7 Sunday School teachers leading 4 classes.
➢Facilities: We have 5 Sunday School Classrooms at our disposal. We will
have a new Youth facility (Miller Hall) approximately by July 1st, 2009 that
can be used for many future events. The new parish hall can also serve to
host future large scale youth events and activities.
➢Budget: We do not have a line item budget. Our budget is completely
funded by the Spaghetti Dinner Auction and proceeds from VCC that our
Flair group works. Future plans include a spring Flair fundraiser that
corresponds with our fall fundraiser.
➢Knowledge: We have at least 5 members who have master degrees in
biblical studies. We have at least 7 teachers in our parish who have served
as Sunday School teachers for at least 3 years.
 Defining Our Outreach
1. Disciple our own youth in the knowledge and love of Jesus
Christ
2. Take that Gospel message to friends and family members who
don’t know the Gospel
3. Reach out to those in our immediate area with the Gospel
message through church events and community outreach
programs (services).
4. Take the Gospel message to those who have never heard
(missions)
5. Open are arms to those in our community who are transferring
their membership from other REC parishes to our own
6. Open our arms to those in our community who are transferring
their membership from other Episcopal, Orthodox, Catholic,
Reformed, and free churches.
 Desired Outcomes
Youth Who…
➢Have a strong knowledge of Scripture and Church teaching
➢Are Growing in their personal faith in Jesus Christ
➢Are engaged in church and public life
➢Are inspired to serve others
➢Continue a life-long commitment to Jesus Christ when they
leave CHC
Scheduled Programs
➣Weekly Sunday School
➣Monthly Service Project
➣Monthly Activity
➣Children’s Chapel
➣Children’s Choir
➣Children’s Catechism
➣Family Fun Night
➣Spaghetti Dinner Auction
➣Christmas Play
➣Vacation Church Camp
➣Germany Mission Trip
Current Youth Committees
➣Vacation Church Camp (Bishop, Youth Director, Sunday School
Teachers, Cathy, Father Jeff and Adult volunteers

➣Youth Task Force (Bishop, Father Kasey+, Father Jeff Baker+,

Jennifer Baker, Karla Gage, Werner Heissenhuber, Monica
Dalton,
Kerrie Smith, Cliff Southard, Stacey Speck, Patrick Sheehan, and
Bob Mullarkey
 Future Programs
These are programs we would like to implement over the
next 3 years. They are conditioned upon the time
constraints of a part-time or full-time youth director as
well as the resources we have on hand. The youth must
also fully support these programs for them to have any
success at all. The programs should be implemented on
a
gradual basis as resources (outlined earlier) become
available and applicable.
 Music Team
This group would lead music at youth events TBA. The
group would be comprised of kids in our own youth
group as well as those members of other REC parishes
in
the area who would be willing and able to participate.
As
our youth group grows, we should be able to fully
support such a group with our own kids. Kids from other
REC parishes can begin their own music team with our
support. We should be able to launch this program by
Fall
2009.
 Drama Team
The drama team would be responsible for
performing Christian themed dramas at youth
events TBA. The group would be comprised of kids
in our own youth group as well as those members
of
other REC parishes in the area who would be willing
and able to participate. As our youth group grows,
we should be able to fully support such a group
with
our own kids. Kids from other REC parishes can
begin their own drama team with our support. We
should be able to launch this program by Fall 2009.
Saturday Night PREPP
(Pray/Rejoice/Eat/Prepare/Play)

Saturday Night Prepp is a service designed specifically

for our youth from 6th-12th grade to occur one
Saturday a month. The evening would incorporate
worship, the music team, the drama team, some
dialogue on culture from a Christian perspective
(speaker/movie/book review/debate, etc.), food, and
various games (cards/chess/board/video/ping-
pong/fooseball)
Future Youth Committees
➣Music Team: (Youth Director, Music Leader, Music Team
Members, Youth Council, and 1 Adult Advisory Committee
member
➣Drama Team: (Youth Director, Drama Leader, Drama Team
Members, Youth Council and 1 Adult Advisory Committee
Member
➣Saturday Night Prepp: (Bishop, Youth Director, Father Jeff+,
Music Leader, Drama Leader, Youth Council, and Adult
Advisory Committee
➣Vacation Church Camp: (Bishop, Youth Director, Father
Jeff+,
Cathy, SS Teachers, Youth Council, and Adult Advisory
Committee
➣Missions/Camps: (Bishop, Youth Director, Father Jeff+,
Cathy,
Youth Council, and Adult Advisory Committee)
Youth Flow Chart
Spaghetti
Dinner
Family Auction Christmas
Fun
Play
Night

Children’s
VCC
Choir

Relationship
To
Jesus Christ
Monthly Music
Activity Team

Monthly
Drama
Service
Team
Project
Weekly Saturday
Sunday Night
School Prepp