The Anticipation

Papers with color coded words are carefully arranged on the board.

Loops of painters tape are ready to post discussion questions.

Furniture is moved.

Floor chairs are arranged in a circle.

Four pounds of M&Ms are sorted into separate color dishes. (Yes, I'm paid to do this.)

Water is ready to be heated for hot cocoa and tea. The fridge is stocked with soda.

This is the anticipation of youth group. This is Sunday. This is the time when I take a deep breath, know I have prepared well over the past week, and acknowledge that something (or somethings) will not go according to my plan. And that is youth ministry.

We make plans, we move furiture, we do strange things with food. Ultimately, it is not our plan that unfolds. It is God's. I've learned to accept and embrace that.

One day I sat joking before Mass with a coworker (she works with the adult small groups). I said that on any given Sunday I have three youth groups planed:

1. The one I actually hope to do and have spent a week working on preparing.
2. A social night - needed if there are individual matters to attend to due to stress, current events, exams, or some other factor that pops up unexpectedly.
3. The dreaded Plan C. This is in reaction to a major community event at one of the schools, in the parish, etc.

Ironically, the homily that week I sat with my coworker was unexpectedly about sexuality, dating, sex and marriage. Youth group was supposed to be on the Beatitudes or something. Yeah, Plan C. Just what adult leaders love, a last minute text with the note that we are probably going to be talking about sexuality that night at youth group.

But we're youth and young adult ministers. That's how we roll. Because we must. Because we love it.

Too early to say....

...But can I start warming up the phrase, "I told you so."

Whispers In the Loggia has tweeted that "strong buzz running that post-Madrid WYD will head to South America -- world's largest Catholic country: Brazil, Rio, July 2013."

Couple of things here - Brazil - fantastic. About time we head to South America.

July - fantastic again. With highs averaging in the upper 70s, it will feel cool in comparision to what we can expect in Madrid. Plus for the college kids going they won't have issues with rushing back to campus life or even missing a few days of classes.

July 2013 - Ay! Okay, that means that I will literally be starting to work on the next WYD before I've recovered from jet lag from this one! Whew!

I could use another cup of tea!

Technology

This month, Youth Worker Journal, has dedicated their issue to Technology & Youth Culture. As usual, it is a fantastic, thoughtful read.

That said, here's my two cents.

Technology is a tool. Like any tool it can be used for good or evil. A tool in the hand of a master craftsman creates works of art. A tool in the hand of a genius or inventor creates useful, helpful, even lifesaving items. A tool in the hand of a fool, the careless, or someone with evil intent will be dangerous, harmful, or even lifethreatening. This is nothing new.

Perhaps instead of focusing on the technology itself, we need to focus on the user. For if we work to develop ourselves and those we work with as skillful, thoughful, holy artisans, the tools can do great good.

A Good Reminder

Here's a great YouTube video to remind us all of who we are (and a nice rip off of the Old Spice Guy).

Jumping Ship in a Storm

The winds whip all around. The craft is so very small and the waves are so very large. The person you look to for comfort is missing, no, is there, but on the very troubling waters. He says come. You go. You doubt. You fall. And immediately he reaches to you.

This weekend we took our high school youth on retreat where we focused on that passage from Matthew (14.22-33). We challenged our youth to get out of the boat - to cast aside their doubts, fears, worries - to trust in God.

We also offered the opportunity to try the high ropes adventure course. Dozens of feet in the air, suspended by ropes, they walked across swinging logs, tight ropes, and made leaps of faith to catch a trapeze swing. Many succeeded. A few struggled.

But what amazed me was the girl who froze. There she was over 40 feet in the air. She was halfway across the first challenge - a rope to walk on and two ropes to hold on to as she walked. She froze. She tensed. As she tensed, the ropes started to sway more and more. It took her quite a while, but she made it to the stopping point. Then she faced that moment that we all have before - she was stranded. She couldn't stay where she was. She needed to go back across, to face all that she had just struggled through in order to make it down again to the ground.

I think facing the unknown can be much easier than facing known fears. She knew exactly how petrifying the experience of crossing that rope line was. She knew how difficult it would be. And now she was tired, emotional, and full of doubts. Yet, suddenly, she stepped out. Step by step, very slowly she began to cross. The last segment is the most difficult as there is an upturn to the rope and you have to climb even as you walk on that lone rope. The look of determination on her tear streaked face was so beautiful. Just as sudden as her beginning was her leap to the solid structure of the tower. She had made it.

I am in awe of her bravery, her determination. When God calls us to step out of the boat, into the storm, and onto the rocky waves we must find that trust, determination and faith. When those storms are all too familiar - crises at work, cranky family members, loss, doubt - it becomes even harder to face the storms with faith and courage. Yet, now, when I will inevitably hit those moments when I cry out to God, "Why God? How can I possibly face this storm? How can I possibly come to you now?" I know exactly what I need to picture in my mind - the face of that girl as she was slowly, steadily reaching the tower.

Your Cup

The time has come...

The start of the new school year is no longer something one can say is months away, it is only days. Young adults are returning from their vacations and finishing their Ultimate Frisbee tournaments.

The time has come when a youth and young adult minister is utterly swamped and usually stressed.

The time has come...

When the temptation to live off the pizza, chips, soda, and Tootsie Rolls becomes nearly insurmountable. When the few hours you get at home are hours you think best spent napping.

The time has come to admit I need to take better care of myself this year.

Last year was a frenzy of ministry events, crises large and small, constant administrative tasks, and ignoring the realities of what this was doing to me. This year I know, that in order to be an effective minister, I need to take care of myself.

Ministry, at least the part that is our 'work', is only a small part of our lives. However, there is a great temptation to make ministry, it's demands, and it's excuses overwhelm us. We are told that our bodies are temples and to meditate on God's Word (see Paul and Joshua).

Each day I am now spending time exercising. This also lets me relax both physically and mentally. I put my Macbook so I can see it from my elliptical trainer and catch up on my guilty pleasures - TV shows (Covert Affairs and Rizzoli & Isles).

I am eating my fruits and vegetables. (The peaches are absolutely fabulous right now.) I am making sure that I cook at least two big batches of something that I can have for leftovers throughout the week (I've got some great soups and vegetarian casseroles now).

I am making sure I spend some of each day quietly with God. Some days I reflect on The Catholic Women's Study Bible. Other days it is the daily Mass readings. I also am reading a couple of books on spirituality and faith by Henri Nouwen.

We must care for ourselves so that we may be fully alive and fully capable of hearing God in our lives and living His call.

World Youth Day 2011