CELEBRATION LUTHERAN CHURCH

9TH GRADE Youth Discipleship Training

Parent Packet * 2016-2017

Youth Discipleship Training (YDT) Session

9th Graders meet Wednesdays from 7:00-8:15p.m. (Refer to the Wednesday Night Ministries’ 2015-16 Calendar for specific dates). All students are expected to attend and participate fully in Wednesday evening sessions. This includes bringing a Bibleto class each and every Wednesday. (If you do not have a Bible, please let Tyler Malotky, Director of SH Youth, Young Adult, & Family Ministries know by September 9).

A typical YDT session consists of the following:

7:00 pmStudents Arrive and Greeting

7:05 pm - 7:10 pmOpening Prayer, Announcements,

7:10 pm - 7:20 pmLarge Group Game/Acitivity

7:20 pm - 7:40 pmPresentation

7:40 pm - 8:15 pmSmall Group Time

YDT begins promptly at 7:00 pm so we have enough time to fit in all of the sections. We ask that all students arrive just a few minutes early if possible, to begin our evening together on time.

Respect Policy

Christians are people who love and respect one another. Students are expected to show respect to other students, all instructors, Parent Helpers, Pastors, the church building, grounds, equipment, and themselves.

To ensure a safe/respectful environment, students not being respectful will:

  1. Be issued a warning from their Small Group Guide or the Director.
  2. If a second warning is issued, a meeting between the Director, Small Group Guide, Parent and youth may be scheduled.
  3. On the third warning, the parent(s) or guardian(s) will be notified following the session. The parent or guardian will need to make arrangements with the student's Small Group Guide and the YDT supervisor before the student is able to return to class.
Required Retreat

As in years past, our 9th graders are required to attend a weekend retreat, and this year we will be heading to Luther Crest Bible Camp in Alexandria. During the weekend, held from 9:00 am Saturday until 1:00 pm Sunday, January 14/15, 2017, we will participate in Bible study, Large/small group sessions, activity/game times, worship, free time and much more.

If you as a parent/guardian are interested in being an Adult Leader, please inform Tyler.

Service Hours

5th year YDT youth are expected to complete 8 service hours that are church related, we repeat, church related, throughout the year. There are many opportunities to serve. See the yellow “9th Grade Service Hour Opportunities” sheet attached. Encourage your youth to begin soon in building these hours and there will be no need to scurry to reach their goal by the end of the school year!

Worship Notes

5th year YDT youth are also required to complete 12 worship notes over the course of the year. This is a great opportunity for parents and youth to discuss worship services and their faith. Encourage your youth to begin now completing Worship Notes during all worship services they attend and there will be no worries if they can reach the end of the school year goal.

Curriculum

We will be using a few different curriculums which will focus on the New Testament and Jesus’ life in particular. For most Wednesday night ministries, we’ll be using the “Here We Stand” confirmation curriculum.

Mentor Program

The Mentor-Youth program is designed to help youth identify more closely with the Christian Community, recognize the mission of the church and to encourage them to participate more fully in the life of the congregation. Mentoring is linking a young person with an adult member of the congregation to share together what it means to be a member of the faith community.

The mentor is not a relative of the youth, but is chosen by the youth, with guidance from their parent(s), as a faith role model. It is the goal to use the mentoring program as a bridge to move our YDT-Confirmation ministry from the classroom to real life. The mentoring process is developed around the idea that young people need models in order to develop their own faith. The mentor and youth talk about how faith intersects life and the world in which we live.

The Mentor –Youth Program consists of the following:

  1. The selection of a mentor by 9th grade Youth Discipleship Training student and parent(s).
  2. The youth contacts the adult to see if they are willing to commit and participate in its entirety.
  3. The youth turns in the name of their chosen mentor to the church off no later than Wednesday, September 28, 2016on the “Mentor Choice” form.
  4. The first Mentor-Youth meeting will be held Wednesday, October 21, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Commons.

The following are guidelines for selecting a mentor:

  1. A mentor is someone who teaches by example. A mentor should be an adult whom you know and trust and who can help you become more closely connected to the Christian church. A mentor is one who is able to talk with youth about how faith intersects life and the world in which we live.
  2. Parent(s) should be involved in the mentor selection process.
  3. A mentor should be someone other than a relative, a member of Celebration Lutheran Church and 21 years of age or older. One way to pick a mentor is to list all the people who have guided your life by their teaching or example. Beside each name, list the characteristics that describe that person as a mentor (examples are: good listener, patient, caring, challenging, wise, compassionate, knowledgeable, etc.). From that list select one person that you would like to get to know better and who is willing to share with you.
  4. Some persons to consider as mentors are persons who share interest in a hobby or sport, persons who are involved in community service, or congregational activities, Sunday school, YDT or public school teachers, aides, coaches, counselors, and persons in professions that you are interested in, persons who act the way you think a Christian should act.
  5. Mentors can be paired with only oneyouth to secure a one-on-one relationship.

Students and mentors will meet six times from November-May(Oct. 12 / Nov. 9 / Dec. 14 / Feb. 8 / Mar. 15 / May 10). They are to complete together, a service project by June 15, 2017. The mentor is asked to attend the “Evening of Celebration” September 17, 2017 and the Confirmation service of the youth the weekend of October 28/29, 2017.

Contact Information

  • Tyler Malotky, Director of SH Youth, Young Adult, & Family Ministries: 255-0488, ext. 106 or via email at .
  • Pastor Elizabeth Strenge, Celebration Lutheran Church Congregational Life Pastor: 255-0488, ext. 102 or via email at .
  • Rita Bartlett, Administrative Assistant for Youth & Family Ministries: 255-0488, ext. 108 or via email at . Rita is available to help you with any administrative needs you may have during weekday office hours.

Our YDT program has continued to evolve through the years. We thank you for your involvement, input, cooperation and continued support and prayers for this valuable ministry! We always welcome any and all comments or suggestions.We look forward to another great year of Youth Discipleship Training!

“Celebration Lutheran Church is a community of Christians who:

Celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ, grow as faithful disciples, and serve in the World.

We invite all to join us in this life of celebrating, growing, and serving.”

The Youth & Family Ministries Purpose Statement:

“We exist to center our lives in Christ, connect with one another,

show compassion for the world, and to communicate and celebrate God’s love.”

Celebration - A Place of Grace!