Our Lady of Mercy
Catholic Parish
EDGE
Home Page What is Middle School YM? How to get involved EDGE Nights Contact Us
Welcome to the Middle School Youth Ministry for Grades 6-8!
|
Event
Calendar July 14, 2010 Six Flags Great August 10, 2010 August
23-25, 2010 R.E. Placement Nights September
18 & 25, 2010 EDGE Team Orientation Mtgs. September
20, 2010 EDGE Kick-Off Event (TBA) More coming soon! |
Upcoming Events & Links: New!
Religious
Education Registration for 2010-2011 NEW! Raging Waves Water Park
Trip EDGE Links: 6th Grade EDGE Night Calendar 7th & 8th Grade EDGE
Night Calendar Attendance Information Emergency Closing Information Protecting our Children: Parent Guide for Preventing Abuse Pastoral Policy Regarding Sexual Abuse of a Minor Standards
of Behavior for those Working with Minors You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view some of the
pages on this website! |
Copyright
2001-2010.
Site
Updated 07/08/10
What
is Middle School Youth Ministry?
EDGE
Home Page What is Middle School YM? How to get involved EDGE Nights Contact Us
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH
MINISTRY IS
The Middle School Youth Ministry is for all students in Grades 6-8. The
Middle School Ministry, called the EDGE, participates in social, service,
worship, educational and leadership activities throughout the year. All are
welcome in our youth ministry!
GOALS OF MIDDLE SCHOOL
YOUTH MINISTRY
The first goal of youth
ministry is “to empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in
our world today.” (RTV 9). Young people are “searching for a noble adventure”,
a compelling and challenging vision of life, and a cause worth their
commitment. They hunger to hear the Good News that finds response in discipleship.
As their companions on this spiritual journey, some of the ways the Church
fulfills this first goal of youth ministry is by...
Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus
through witness and word to young people.
Enabling young people to live as
disciples through their involvement in service, ministry, and leadership
opportunities.
Providing young people the faith
skills for discipleship.
The second goal is “to
draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work
of the Catholic faith community.” (RTV 11). Young people have a hunger for
connection, to be in relationship, and to belong. Family, peers, school, youth
serving organizations, and church are primary connections for young people.
Some of the ways the church fulfills this second goal of youth ministry is
by...
Being a ‘youth friendly’ community
that welcomes young people, values their participation, and calls forth their
gifts.
Integrating young people into the liturgical,
pastoral, and ministerial life of the parish community.
Creating opportunities for young
people to enter into healthy relationships of trust and respect with their
peers and with adults.
Promoting Catholic identity and
religious literacy through programs of adolescent catechesis.
The third goal of youth
ministry is “to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young
person.” (RTV 15). Adolescence is an important time for mental, spiritual,
social, and physical growth. Their experiences and relationships greatly
influence their healthy and positive development. The Church strives to
surround young people with the best possible external scaffolds—networks of
caring relationships of family, school, peers, and other adults—while young
people are developing their internal psychological and spiritual backbone—their
values, life skills, commitments, and moral compass. The Church fulfills this
third goal of youth ministry by...
Enabling young people to develop a
personal relationship with Jesus.
Actively supporting positive youth
development and fostering healthy values and life skills.
Supporting families of young people
by providing resources, programs, and services.
Providing opportunities to experience
and express caring, service, and compassion for others.
EDGE
Home Page What is Middle School YM? How to get involved EDGE Nights Contact Us
INVOLVEMENT
All 6th, 7th and 8th graders are
invited to our events! All you need to do is come to our event…sometimes a
permission form or a phone call to the Youth Minister is required, but that is
usually listed on the promotional materials. Give it a try, and your friends
are always invited too…they don’t even have to be Catholic or a Christian for
that matter, they are welcome at all our events!
LEADERS NEEDED
6th Grade EDGE Nights—held twice a month on Monday nights
ADULTS & TEENS: 6th Grade EDGE Night Core Team
Adults and High School Teens are needed to help
with our 6th Grade EDGE Nights. They will lead small groups of
students, assist with skits, prayer and witness talks. Training will be
provided for all leaders.
7th/8th Grade EDGE
Nights—held twice a month on Monday nights
ADULTS & TEENS: 7th/8th Grade EDGE Night Core
Team
Adults and High School Teens are needed to help
with our 7th/8th Grade EDGE Nights. They will lead small
groups of students, assist with skits, prayer and witness talks. Training will
be provided for all leaders.
EDGE Planning Team
ADULTS/PARENTS
This team meets to
develop, implement and evaluate the EDGE programs for our teens. This team will
meet regularly with the Middle School Youth Ministry Coordinator.
If you feel called in any of these above areas please
contact the Youth Ministry Office at (630) 851-3444x225 or CandyR@olmercy.com
EDGE
Home Page What is Middle School YM? How to get involved EDGE Nights Contact Us
IMPORTANT LINKS
Attendance Information
Emergency Closing Information
WHAT IS EDGE…
The EDGE is a Catholic middle
school youth ministry experience created for early adolescents in grades six,
seven and eight. The EDGE is designed to meet the educational, spiritual,
emotional, and social needs of young adolescents. Kids are always welcomed and
encouraged to bring their friends to The EDGE.
Learn more about the
EDGE program?
GRADE 6 EDGE NIGHTS
Students
in grades 6 will participate in the EDGE program which will meet twice a month
on Monday nights from 6:45 to 8:45 pm. in the
6th
Grade EDGE Night Calendar 2010-2011
GRADES 7 & 8 EDGE NIGHTS
Students
in grades 7 and 8 will participate in the EDGE program which will meet twice a
month on Monday nights from 6:45 to 8:45 pm. in the
7th & 8th Grade EDGE Night Calendar 2010-2011
EDGE CORE TEAM LEADERS
Our EDGE program, for our junior high
teens, is looking for some fun, loving, compassionate, spiritual, and caring
adults and high school teens to help us for the coming year. We need help in
these areas:
High School Teens:
§
Assisting adult leaders in their groups
§
Assisting the coordinator in organizing the
evenings in large groups
§
Running the audio/video equipment
§
Finding music
§
Photography
Adults (whether you are a parent,
grandparent or parishioner):
§
Group leaders at 6th, 7th and 8th grade
levels
§
Hospitality help
§
Office help
§
Hall monitor help
§
Parking lot help
We need so many to help, and if many do,
there will not be a huge time commitment. If you have questions, please email
RETREATS
Students
in grades 6-8 are asked to attend a retreat each year. Two choices will be
offered for both 6th grade EDGE students and 7th/8th
grade EDGE students.
6th Grade:
Topic: Self Esteem
8:45-11:45 AM OR 12:45-3:45 PM
7th & 8th Grade:
Topic: Discipleship and Service
8:45-11:45 AM OR 12:45-3:45 PM
General Information about retreats:
§
Students are expected to attend one retreat each year.
§
Classes will be assigned a retreat date, but you may opt
to attend the other date by calling the R.E. Office.
§
Parents are needed to help chaperone.
§
Students should bring a snack to share (i.e. cookies,
brownies, chips, fruit, etc.)
Please contact the Youth Ministry
Office for more details.
GRADE LEVEL SERVICE PROJECTS
Students will be offered service opportunities at
EDGE Nights throughout the year. Adult chaperones and drivers are needed to help
with this ministry. Please contact
Feed My Starving Children
project for any 6th, 7th or 8th grader (TBA)
Summer Mission Experience (TBA)
UPCOMING
SOCIAL EVENTS
July 14, 2010 Six Flags Great America Trip
August 10, 2010 Raging Waves Water Park
Trip
EDGE
Home Page What is Middle School YM? How to get involved EDGE Nights Contact Us
Our Lady of
Mercy Catholic Church
Middle School
Youth Ministry
Fax: (630) 851-3468
Map to Our Lady of Mercy Church
Ms.
Coordinator of Middle School Youth Ministry
Phone: (630) 851-3444 x232
Director of Youth &
Young Adult Ministry
Phone: (630) 851-3444 x225
Secretary
Phone: (630) 851-3444 x232