Today in the Mission Yearbook - Presbytery of Utah builds connections with youth across the state

Youth director finds innovative ways to connect young people from small and larger churches

August 21, 2024

There are 20 churches connected with the Presbytery of Utah across the state. In an effort to build connections with youth from the various churches, the presbytery created a ministry role to make that happen.

Randy Hobson and Rick Jones, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Today’s Focus: Presbytery of Utah’s Youth director finds innovative ways to connect young people

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Natarsha Sanders, Associate for Intercultural Leadership Development & Recruitment, Presbyterian Mission Agency 
Sung-Joo Park, Regional Relationship Manager, Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program 

Let us pray

Loving God, continue to challenge us to grow in faith, always remembering to be grateful for the firm foundation you provide. May we be open to learning and sharing in your work in our world. Amen.

WCC NEWS: Right Rev. Dr Emily Onyango has a message for young people: “God is on your side”

Right Rev. Dr Emily Onyango, assistant bishop, Anglican Diocese of Bondo, Kenya, was ordained in 1987—the second woman priest ordained in all of east Africa—and appointed as assistant bishop in 2021. She also serves as a lecturer for St Paul’s University. Below, she reflects on her path to becoming a church leader, the resistance she encountered, and her message to young people today. An inaugural “Ecumenical Women Church Leaders Initiative Consultation” took place from 17-19 May as a dozen African women gathered in Geneva and online to exchange experiences and critical reflections. Rev. Dr Emily Onyango, Assistant Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Bondo, Kenya Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 14 July 2022 When you were growing up, what drew you to the ministry? Dr Onyango: I admired my Sunday School teacher, the way she handled herself. She was a missionary. I admired her kind of life, her kind of teaching. I also admired my Christian religion education teacher in secondary school, the way she brought up people from the Bible like Jeremiah, so that the lives of biblical people became very admirable. I must say, there was a lot of influence from my family. My parents were committed Christians, and the way I saw them ministering to people—especially young people—who I saw around me, greatly influenced me. How does being a lecturer help strengthen you as a church leader? Dr Onyango: Through teaching, I find it’s a way of conversation. I think we empower each other. We understand each other because there’s discussion. I also like to understand the context of where people are coming from. It sets a ground for my work. Where do you find support, as assistant bishop and as a lecturer? Dr Onyango: I find support in my colleagues. As a lecturer and as a woman priest, we had formed a group where we share with each other. That group remains very key to me. I remember when I was being ordained as a priest, one of the things the bishop told us was: “Never forget your colleagues, your friends, whom you knew, before you started climbing up the ladder—because they know who you are.” So I’ve tried to keep friends who are not in the ministry— friends who can really hold me accountable. I try to find people who are not necessarily in the church hierarchy, friends I can just go and talk to, who can accompany me. Have you encountered resistance because you are a woman? Dr Onyango: Right from my appointment, there were people who were resisting. They used different tactics. It’s interesting that some women in the church also wondered: “How are you going to serve?” There’s one thing we used to say: First of all, “smiling off” things helps for the moment. So I don’t have to really react. I smile and say, “Let’s see how it will go.” I actually pray for grace so that my actions will really convince them. I think originally there was a lot of resistance. When you were ordained, there was controversy because you were a single woman. Did you feel like you received support from the church? Dr Onyango: Not so much. Interestingly, it was just a few colleagues who also felt women could minister who really supported me. But I think the worst discouragers were the people in the hierarchy of the church. The congregation I served became very supportive because for them, they saw somebody who was coming to serve. I got support from the congregation, from the Christians, and from friends. But the hierarchy of the church was not very supportive, in fact, there were times when I attended a meeting and when I was introduced as a reverend— there was laughter. How much has changed? Dr Onyango: So much has changed! When we started teaching, in the seminary most of the time, the church never sent women, but now there are scholarships, and we are in the seminary even if we are not all ordained and given positions. The numbers somehow changed, and so has the attitude. What is your message to young people? Dr Onyango: My message is that Christ has called us. We are made in His image. We are people of dignity, and I think many times young people are not sure of their identity. I can tell them the sky is the limit to pursue whatever God is calling them to do, especially their calls in the church. God cares for them. Many times young people in my diocese and the dioceses of Kenya feel left out. But I think the church is their place and God wants to meet all their needs. God is on their side. African women church leaders: “Where is there justice today?” Bishop Vicentia Kgabe: “It might sound cliché, but I had to learn to love God’s people” See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

Today in the Mission Yearbook - The jig’s up

An Illinois pastor doesn’t mind a little humiliation while helping to teach youth a lesson on generosity

February 18, 2022

The Rev. Amanda H. Joria

For really good ideas on how to serve the faithful at Park Ridge Presbyterian Church in suburban Chicago, the Rev. Amanda H. Joria often relies on her mother.

On St. Patrick’s Day, that idea involved Joria dressing up in the Irish step dancing costume — complete with a bouncy, curly wig — that she’d last worn at age 15. With an eye toward downsizing the house, her mother had brought the costume and wig by Joria’s house. To Joria’s surprise — she’d given birth a few months earlier — the costume still fit. “I put it on and I decided people need to see this,” she said during a recent Between Two Pulpits Facebook Live broadcast hosted by Bryce Wiebe and Lauren Rogers of Special Offerings. “If I’m going to put it on the internet,” having done exactly that, “we should get something out of this,” Joria reasoned.

Her St. Patrick’s Day online plea came with a promise to don her costume — complete with the wig — and dance a jig if the congregation gave $100 to One Great Hour of Sharing by the end of the day. For $500, she’d get the church’s senior pastor, the Rev. Josh Erickson, to dance a jig too, once she taught him how.

“He’s a great sport,” Joria told Wiebe and Rogers. “We raised well over $500 for One Great Hour of Sharing. It was the most online traffic we had ever done. It was proof that it could work even when we are separated.”

“That,” Wiebe responded, “is why I like talking with leaders who work with young people.” Since 2018, Joria has been Park Ridge Presbyterian Church’s associate pastor for children, youth, missions and outreach ministries.

Joria said it’s been social media that has allowed the church to connect with Park Ridge residents around generosity outside the church community. “They may not care about our worship services or our community life, but there is a longing for people to connect around serving, and it’s contagious,” she said. “Being part of a faith community is not important to everybody, but responding to hunger is.”

Lessons about kindness “just make sense to young people,” she said. “If we can make generosity make sense to them early on, the next generation will be unstoppable.”

The church has a gumball machine and gives away the quarters spent on gum. “Having fun and a gimmick is not a bad thing when you are trying to cultivate generosity,” Joria said. “You can put on a wig and dance and that’s OK, too.”

Wiebe suggested the church take the gumball ministry a step further during an upcoming children’s time: give each child two quarters to have a gumball and a quarter left over. Call it “something to chew on,” suggested Wiebe, the former Special Offerings director.

“I may steal that idea,” Joria said.

If she were to preach on this week’s lectionary, Joria would focus on James 3:1–12, especially verse 8: “but no one can tame the tongue — a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

“We’ve got to try to control our tongues or our tongues will control us,” Joria said. “Words can have powerful impact. Kids can say really kind things out of nowhere, but we forget how to if we don’t practice it often.”

“I’ve also learned from our younger leaders about how we think and talk to ourselves, and how we make incorrect conclusions about how we think God talks to us,” Joria said. “We can learn new loving ways in which we hear God speaking to us.”

Joria said she sat down recently with some of the church’s high school seniors to record a podcast. It proved to be a great opportunity to talk about mental health, “which came up quite a bit,” Joria said. Later via Instagram she found herself telling the story of her friend in the eighth grade who died by suicide.

“Why don’t I tell that story much anymore? The ways kids express themselves on social media now gives us a lot of opportunity to see what they were struggling with behind the scenes,” Joria said. “I wanted them to be sure to see a word on Instagram that they are not alone.”

Michael Ferguson, Editor, Presbyterian News Service

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Jed and Jenny Koball, Mission co-workers serving in Peru, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Karla Ann Koll, Mission co-worker serving in Costa Rica, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray

Lord, bless us with renewal. We pray our community would be blessed with one mind and spirit in feeding your flock. By your Holy Spirit, inspire and enable foolish moves leading to the flourishing you have promised. Jesus, you call us to feed, by the power of your Holy Spirit. May we answer. Amen.

When Did We See You - Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2022

Today in the Mission Yearbook - Youth in the church are not just the future, but the now

‘Our youth already have gifts to give’

October 8, 2020

The Rev. Dr. David Gambrell, associate for worship in the Office of Theology & Worship, preached last year at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium. (Contributed photo)

When the Rev. Dr. David Gambrell was asked to speak at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium last year, he knew it would be both challenging and extremely personal.

“Not many preachers have the opportunity to address several thousand teenagers,” he says. “So, I did this with a healthy dose of humility, fear and trembling, especially mindful that one of those teenagers was my own daughter.”

Gambrell is the father of two teenage daughters and an associate for worship in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Theology and Worship. He attends Highland Presbyterian Church in Louisville, where he volunteers to teach confirmation classes and has witnessed and guided the faith journey of many young people — including his daughters.

As each of us considers a gift to the Pentecost Offering, he says every person, young or old, should understand that ministry with youth is not a one-way street.

“They need to know they are valued — their gifts, wisdom and experiences are important,” Gambrell explains. “They need to know that we take them seriously and honor them as members of Christ’s body and we want to learn from them even as they learn from us.”

That’s one of the things Gina Yeager-Buckley, a mission associate for formation in the Office of Christian Formation, truly appreciates about being a Presbyterian — all people are welcomed into ministry.

“There is no age limit on being called,” she says. “It’s not just for older adults or the middle-aged. It includes youth, children, young adults and people who are single or married. Presbyterians understand that each of us is called to be in relationship with God and to share our faith.”

Yeager-Buckley handles the organization of the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, which is funded in part by the Pentecost Offering. The event is also supported by hundreds of volunteers — half adults, half teenagers — who work to develop the event every three years.

“Putting it together can be challenging. We don’t have a lot of money and we have a tiny staff,” said Yeager-Buckley. “But we have volunteers who give up their vacation time to help and who work together to truly meet the needs of teenagers as they explore and grow their faith.”

The Pentecost Offering supports not only the Presbyterian Youth Triennium. It is meant to unite all Presbyterians in a churchwide effort to support young people and inspire them to share their faith, ideas and unique gifts with both the church and the world.

“We tend to say something like ‘we’re investing in the future because the youth are the future of our church,’” says Gambrell.

“But our youth already have gifts to give and important ways to serve and lead in the church. Supporting the Offering is a way to give youth the opportunity to do things and share their gifts in the present moment.”

Growing up in the church, Gambrell experienced what it meant to be “taken seriously” by other Presbyterians. As a result, he dedicated himself to God’s service —first as a young adult mission volunteer doing hurricane relief work and, then later, as a pastor, working through a doctoral program in worship, and now at the national offices.

It has helped him understand that each of us has something to offer the church and the community at all stages of our lives — including children, youth and young adults.

“All of us in the church have a responsibility to support the gifts of young people and experience the joy of connecting with them,” said Gambrell. “I think it is part of what it means to be connected in the body of Christ. Each person should consider the grace of God that they have received and think about how they can use those gifts to serve God and serve others — specifically through the youth ministries of the church.”

It’s a joy Gambrell experienced as both a faith leader and a father. Following his service at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, he received something that reaffirmed his commitment — a text from his daughter who had attended the service. It read simply, “I’m proud of you, dad.”

 Special Offerings, Special to Presbyterian News Service, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Douglas Portz, Board of Pensions
Elonzer Purkins, Office of General Assembly

Let us pray:

Gracious God, lead us to hearts that need to know your love, and help us to demonstrate the hope you offer us all. Give us strength to respond with the love you have shown us, so that we may serve others in your name. Amen.

Today in the Mission Yearbook - A prayer tree grows

Youth create a way to pray for one another

August 22, 2020

The Rev. Joe Clifford, pastor of Myers Park Presbyterian Church, hangs prayers on the prayer tree that the youth created. Courtesy of Myers Park Presbyterian Church

At the end of March, when schools, businesses and churches began closing their doors to curb the spread of COVID-19, the youth of Myers Park Presbyterian Church came up with an idea. The Charlotte, North Carolina, teens wanted those in the community to know that they weren’t alone.

“The youth of the church wanted a way to represent our collective faith, grief and need for God and each other,” said the Rev. Michelle Thomas-Bush, associate pastor for youth and their families. And since the youth had experienced the power of prayer in spirituality centers created within the church’s walls, they had several creative ideas for outside the church.

Among them was creating a prayer tree by the church’s front entrance. Using colored strips of fabric — each color signifying either family, church, the world, etc. — and markers, prayers were written down and then tied to string hung over the tree’s limbs. The string was anchored into the ground with garden stakes. The result was a beautiful fluttering of prayers that blew in the wind, attracting the attention of those passing by who, while mindful of social distancing, found themselves in need of fresh air and exercise. The Rev. Joe Clifford, pastor of Myers Park Presbyterian, advertised the prayer tree through social media, inviting members to add their prayers.

While the prayer tree was a way to connect with others during a time of sheltering in place, the idea of offering prayers for the community in creative ways will continue in the future.

Donna Frischknecht Jackson, Editor, Presbyterians Today

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Gabriella Lisi, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Sara Lisherness, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray:

O God, you sent your Son to show us how to live in love as the community of faith. Empower us by the Holy Spirit to take action to ensure voices are heard and lives cherished, in both the church and society. Amen.

Today in the Mission Yearbook - New book encourages children to take low-tech adventures

‘Babbit and Joan, a Rabbit and a Phone’ tells young readers it’s OK to step back from technology

August 13, 2020

As technology continues to impact and influence our daily lives, Flyaway Books has  released “Babbit and Joan, a Rabbit and a Phone,” a picture book that provides a balanced message about healthy technology usage.

Written and illustrated by Denise Turu, “Babbit and Joan, a Rabbit and Phone” is about a rabbit named Babbit, who after learning that the overworked phones in his community are going on strike, encourages his phone, Joan, to rest at home while he goes on a tech-free adventure. This book reminds readers that it is OK to take a step back from technology sometimes to be present with the world around them.

“Babbit and Joan, a Rabbit and Phone” features colorful artwork filled with inventive details and it is ideal for children ages 3–7.

“Babbit and Joan, a Rabbit and Phone” is now available for purchase wherever books are sold. Watch a book trailer about the picture book here.

Turu is the illustrator of “Who Is My Neighbor?” by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, as well as both author and illustrator of numerous picture books and graphic novels. Her work has been exhibited around the world. For more information, visit deniseturu.com.

Flyaway Books is a picture book program dedicated to themes of diversity, inclusivity, compassion and kindness. Visit flyawaybooks.com for more information.

 Flyaway Books, Special to Presbyterian News Service

Let us join in prayer for:   

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Rebecca Kueber, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation
Everdith Landrau, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray:

 Compassionate God, continue to provide hope to children around the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Young Adult Volunteer Program - Limited spots available in the U.S.

Young adults lead in creative and important ways during crisis Greetings in the name of our Risen Savior! Hope these words find you and your loved ones well. We are all living in unprecedented times in this global pandemic. Many of us have begun to hear news of loved ones, friends or acquaintances affected by COVID-19. Personally, I have already received sad news of loved ones who have died in the past week as a result of complications from the virus. Others are fighting for their lives in hospitals. Yet others are on the front lines as first responders putting themselves at risk every day. This is a time of intentional collective prayer, practicing social distancing and mutual support. Indeed, in these times we can still provide accompaniment — even if it is virtually. As you can imagine, the YAV program has been affected in unprecedented ways. World Mission’s Crisis Management Team decided to discontinue this year’s international YAV program (IYAV) for obvious reasons. All IYAVs are now safely home. We were able to evacuate our last three IYAVs through the U.S. Embassy in Peru. This was a true communal effort that took the support of many people inside and outside the PC(USA). The national YAV (NYAV) sites are operating with many NYAVs serving remotely and others from home. Ministry is still taking place in creative and important ways. More than ever, we need your support through prayers and contributions to strengthen the work of our ministry. Please consider supporting the YAV program directly through the Pentecost Offering. Below you will find information about this important offering to share with your congregations. You will also read how Luke Rembold, site coordinator in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is engaging his NYAVs in these COVID-19 times. We can all contribute in meaningful ways. The work of Jesus Christ continues, and we are in the best position to be his hands, feet and eyes. The Rev. Everdith "Evie" Landrau, coordinator Young Adult Volunteer Program Presbyterian Mission Give to support YAV →

Young Adult Volunteers lead in Albuquerque While Luke Rembold, YAV alum and site coordinator in Albuquerque, isn’t grateful for the circumstances of the current COVID-19 crisis and the pain and fear it is causing, he is grateful for the way he sees Young Adult Volunteers (YAVs) responding. (Photo by Nathaniel Williams) Read more → All mission co-workers are safe in the US or are sheltering in place When it comes to keeping mission co-workers safe in the face of a global pandemic, there is no one-size-fits-all decision. Each situation is different, and each decision is individual. All international Young Adult Volunteers have returned to the U.S. for the remainder of this service year. (Photo provided to Leslie Vogel) Read more →

Pentecost Offering During Pentecost we are building the household of God with our children, youth and young adults. Just as many of us were nurtured in faith during our youth, we give of ourselves and our resources to support the faith formation of other youth and young adults. The YAV program is supported by gifts to the Pentecost Offering. The Rev. Ashley McFaul-Erwin, a YAV alum, shared her story for this year’s offering. During the COVID-19 crisis, offering resources will continually be updated and added to help congregations deal with the reality of online promotion. Click here to learn more. Won’t you join in your support? If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot. (Art by Illustrated Ministry LLC) Give online →

Got photos? Please share with us! Your communications team at the Presbyterian Mission Agency is always looking for high-quality photos that help us tell your stories in YAV promotions. High-quality photos don’t need be taken with a fancy camera — they can be taken right from your mobile phone. Feel free to send any photos that you may have taken from Instagram takeovers or during your YAV year to tammy.warren@pcusa.org. Learn how to take great photos from your iPhone or Android mobile phone. Also learn how to send those photos via iPhone or Android, so that the quality isn’t affected. (Photo by Molly DeWitt) Share your photos →

Limited spots available at U.S. YAV sites The final date to apply to serve at a YAV site within the U.S. is June 1. If you are discerning your next steps, YAV offers an opportunity for a transformative year of service and growth unlike any other. YAVs accompany local agencies working to address root causes of poverty and reconciliation. Alongside this work, volunteers explore the meaning of their Christian faith and accountability to their neighbors in community with peers and mentors. Learn more and apply →

The Young Adult Volunteer program, a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is an ecumenical, one-year service opportunity for young adults ages 19 to 30. For more than two decades, YAVs have listened for God’s call in their lives, while serving alongside partners at sites in the United States and around the world. YAVs live in intentional Christian communities developing and deepening their faith through service. Learn more about this transformative year at youngadultvolunteers.org.

A paper chain built by Presbyterian generosity is unbreakable! Our Links of Love special giving challenge celebrates our united and collective impact toward making a difference in the lives of others around the world. Get involved today. Learn more →

Become a Matthew 25 Church Matthew 25:31–46 calls all of us to actively engage in the world around us, so our faith comes alive and we wake up to new possibilities. Matthew 25 is a bold new vision and invitation from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with over 460 congregations and mid councils that have already pledged to become a Matthew 25 church by working to build congregational vitality, dismantle structural racism and eradicate systemic poverty. We invite you to join us on this journey! Find out how →

Coronavirus/COVID-19 — Latest church resources for congregations and members

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