| From My PC... Mike Reinhart Parish Youth Director Home Phone: (217) 253-4006 Cell Phone: (217) 369-4002 E-mail: mike_reinhart@hotmail.com NOTE: If you phone me, please phone my cell & leave a message. I'll return your call as soon as I can. If you send an e-mail (and you haven't e-mailed me before), please place "YOUTH" or "FORTY MARTYRS" in the subject line (your message will likely be sent to my "Junk" folder and I MAY miss it). |
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Regarding
TEC (Teens Encounter Christ):
To
our Forty Martyrs Parish "Family",
Thank you for the financial, prayer, and practical/logistical support you've provided to help our young people to experience TEC. I feel that TEC is THE MOST important ministry effort within our Diocese. I believe we offer nothing more profound or complete - and that I have seen young people "grow" YEARS in their Faith - in just three days! -Mike Reinhart Forty Martyrs Youth Director TEC 200 Adult Candidate TEC 201 Adult Team Member TEC 203 Adult Team Member / Assistant Lay Director TEC 204 Wheat Team Member TEC 209 Adult Team Member TEC 210 Adult Team Member TEC 211 Adult Team Member / Assistant Coordinator |
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Parish YOUTH webpage tips: 1) I'll try to update each page as soon as new information is learned or provided. The "Updated" date (now, at the top of each "table" or section) will let you know if an update has been added recently - and indicate the exact age of the information provided. 2) The UPCOMING EVENTS PAGE will, of course, be used to inform everyone of upcoming events - even when the same information appears on the age/grade-specific page (this should continue). 3) I TRY to proofread & edit each page thoroughly. IF you believe a mistake is present OR I've written something that confuses you, please phone me or e-mail me and let me know. It helps. 4) NEW - I made some minor changes in each page's appearance recently but, more importantly, I changed my method of "dating" the information. Instead of "dating" an entire page, we're now indicating the date of EACH TABLE or section. (I'll also try to highlight "new info" when possible - as I did with THIS addition. In some cases, a "headline" notice may appear at the top of a page.) - Mike |
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To: All Adult Parishioners It was recently suggested to me (again) that I ensure the presence of an "extra" chaperone for all events. So, I'm making the request AGAIN (THIS is an OFFICAL request) - For ANY event - for any age group - anywhere - anytime - PLEASE consider attending as an 1) Extra chaperone, 2) Driver, 3) Observer, 4 Interested Party" (take your pick). You will NOT be required to sign anything stating you will "enlist" as a Future Youth Minister at a future date. THIS is NOT how "veteran youth ministers" typically recruit NEW youth ministers. Really! How DO we RECRUIT? I'll give that up a little farther on in this text... Protecting God's Children Workshop: If you have attended a Protecting God's Children workshop - GREAT! If you become a "repeat" driver or chaperone, it's mandated by our Diocese that you attend such a workshop. Even if you're "just" a parent - a PGC workshop IS a worthwhile expenditure of YOUR TIME! You will learn something of value. I did a couple of years ago when I attended such a workshop. Then, even with 25+ years of law enforcement experience, 20+ years of parenting-experience, and 14+ years experience with parish youth - I learned some facts I did NOT know. YOUR Involvement: PSR teachers, parents, & other interested persons are welcome to join us to participate & observe. For parents - DON'T believe your child when he or she claims not to want you to participate. For PSR teachers - YOUR participation in a "fun" activity can break down barriers you may be experiencing in interacting with your class. For others curious about getting involved with youth ministry - With 16+ years of personal experience in our parish & diocese, many hours of course-work in Youth Ministry (with the Center for Ministry Development), and a lot of networking-experience with fellow youth ministers (locally and nationally), I can probably provide some answers to some of your questions - or guide you to someone who can provide the answers. Suggestion: If you are the parent / guardian / warden of a 5th/6th grader, a 7th/8th grader, or a Senior High-age young person, consider chaperoning a group of a DIFFERENT age. IF you don't feel comfortable DRIVING a vehicle full of young people, you COULD serve as a chaperone. The Forty Martyrs Parish effort for youth ministry should NOT be the equivalent of a "one-man band". Consider becoming involved - or becoming MORE involved. Because... In my 52 years - my involvement with parish youth has one of the most REWARDING parts of my life! Our parish has been & IS BLESSED with wonderful young people who will enrich YOUR life - as they have mine. Individually - and collectively - they are fantastic! (See my comments above in the white box.) OK - THIS is how we (the veteran youth ministers) RECRUIT new youth ministers - We simply find ways to EXPOSE you to our YOUNG PEOPLE ! - Mike |