Youth Ministry coordination Report 1983 & Vision and Plan 1984 (BJEP0012)

REPORT ON THE YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN KERALA DURING THE YEAR 1983:

The objectives for the programmes for the year 1983 were the following:

1. The steady growth and development of the youth already in the renewal.

2. Location and development of youth leadership potential. 

3. Forming a team of youth pastors.

4. Attracting more youth into the renewal and forming them into mature Christians.

5. Developing various ministries in the renewal.

The programmes conducted in 1983 have helped in the building up of a strong leadership group at the central and zonal level. Youth Teams have been formed in most of the zones. 

Organisation

            The following persons were selected to the K. Y. C. T.

        1. Edward A.Edezhath - Convener

        2. Alicekutty - KST representative

        3. Augustine C.O. 

        4. Jose Jacob

        5. Chacko Kanatt

        6. Philomina Paul Alappat 

        7. V.T. George - Youth Pastor

        8. Fr. Sebastian Kunnathur - Youth Pastor

        The First Line Youth Leaders' Group continued to meet during the year at frequent intervals. The programmes conducted during the year were organized by members from this group.

        Efforts to form a second level of youth leaders were not successful. A meeting of youth leaders from various zones was organized on 23rd and 24th of April 1983, with this objective. But a stable group did not develop.

Documentation Centre

        During the year, much headway could not be made regarding this, the constraints were money and personnel. Persons with the required expertise and who had the time to devote to this work were not available. It is hoped that during the year something could be done in this regard.

Second Youth Leaders Conference in Malayalam

The conference was held from 8th to 12th July 1983 at Vidyaniketan, Ernakulam. About 53 delegates from the different zones attended. Fr. Mundancherry, Fr Justin Pinhero and miss Alicekutty gave talks.  The organization of the programme was done by a team consisting of V.J. Antony, K.K. Joseph, and Mini Jose.

Bible Study Programme

The Programme was started in April 1983 by sending 'Navachetana' to selected persons from the different zones. The participants were required to send back to the organisers their reflections and comments about each booklet. About 75 persons were asked to come for the 5 day Bible Camp conducted at Snehanilayam, Kakkanad, from 26th evening to 31st evening, 1983. About 45 persons attended the Camp was directed by Fr. Michael Karimattom. His classes were inspiring and illuminating.  The organisation of the programme was done by Rina Issac, Antony T.O., Augustine C.O., Chacko Kanatt, etc.

Talent Pooling

Nothing was done in this regard. 

Youth Pastors  

A team for organizing youth pastors in Kerala was formed in Ernakulam. The team consists of Mr. & Mrs. Mathaichan Kottukapally, Mr. & Mrs. M.K. Abraham, Mr. James Abraham, Mr. V.T. George, Miss. Alicekutty, Fr. Kunnathur, and Mr. Edward A. Edezhath. The team is receiving directions from Fr. Gino.

Resource Persons Training Programme

A series of programmes to locate and give adequate training to youth leaders was planned.

The first programme was conducted at Vidyaniketan from 25th to 27th November 1983.

About 40 persons attended. The programme was organised by Mr.M.K.Johny.

Seminar on Social Action

The program could not be conducted during the year.

Out-reach to Children

A programme for children of the age group 12 to 15 was conducted at Kuzhupilly. The response from the children was encouraging. More than 100 children took part in the programme. Philomina Paul Alappat, Kochuthresia, Mathachan C.V., and Sunny Mathachan were the Co-ordinators for this programme.

Funds

The requirements for funds for the programmes during the year were mainly met from the contributions from the participants. In addition, the members of the First Line Youth Group have started to contribute on a regular monthly basis towards the expenses. Still the activities have resulted in a deficit.

A Fund for meeting the travelling expenses of those coming for the periodic Youth meetings have been constituted by the youth pastors. Contributions of Rs. Fifty each are made on a regular monthly basis.

Let the name of Jesus Christ be glorified!

20 February 1984 EDWARD A EDEZHATH

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PLAN FOR YOUTH RENEWAL ACTIVITIES IN KERALA FOR THE YEAR1984 

The Vision for1984

The programmes for 1984 were developed around the following three main Thrusts.

1. Personal growth of the Youth in the renewal and giving leadership training to them.

They are also to be helped in finding out this personal ministries.

2. a) Strengthening the zonal youth organization by forming zonal teams wherever they are not formed and giving them proper directions.

b) Growth of the first line youth Leaders group into a strong leadership group and forming them into a community.

3. Out reach programmes: Train persons to give leadership in various ministries and to develop new ministries.

1. Personal growth & leadership.

        The objective of the programmes are keeping youth who have come into the renewal to attain spiritual maturity and to train them into good christian leaders. To attain this objective they have to be helped in the development of all facets of their personality. The programmes planned are the following:

i) Programme on 'know youself':

        The aim of this programme is to bring about a deeper awareness of self and to help to identify the personal ministries and to bring out the inherent leadership qualities.

        The whole Kerala region is to be divided into 3 sub-regions and 3 programmes at a central place in each of the 3 sub regions are to be conducted for youth leaders. The detailed planning and execution is to be done by a team consisting of C.O. Augustine, Antony V.J., Luke Abraham, Thomas V. J. and Philomina Paul Alappat. Philomina Paul Alappat will be the Co-ordinator.

ii) Sending selected youth leaders for growth and for Leadership programmes conducted by NST

        Plans are being made to send a selected team of youth leaders to the National Youth Leaders conference in Bangalore, from May 13th to 19th. Miss Philomina Paul Alappat will be coordinating this.

iii) Scription Study Programmes:

        The details are being worked out.

2) a) Zonal Youth Organisation.

        It has been decided that one person each, from the first line group will be in charge of each of the zones. Each person will keep himself aware of the developments in the respective zones. At each of the first line group meetings, time will be set apart for discussion and evaluation of zonal activities and suggestions for any action also will be discussed. It was also decided to form zonal youth teams wherever they are not formed. 

b) First line youth Leaders Group

        This group has been functioning more or less as an advisory group to the KYCT. The planning of the Youth activities are being done in this group. In the execution of the programmes also, members of this group function as a core group.

        It has been tentatively decided that the group should meet at the 3rd weekend of every month. A series of topics like prayer experience, social awareness, setting priorities, etc. are to be taken up in each of these meetings. Whenever possible, speakers are to be invited to talk on these subjects.

        Another goal before the group is the formation of cell groups and building the whole group into a community.

        K.K. Joseph, Alicekutty, Johny M.K. & Nishi Augustine will be the team in charge of the above activities.

3) Out Reach & Ministries

        The first step in developing Ministries is to form a group who have experience in working in various ministries and who can direct and help others to form and work in such ministries. It has been felt that there is not sufficient number of such people now. So the first step is forming teams to study, work and gain experience in various ministries. The following are planned.

1. A meeting of volunteers who are interested to work in a ministry to be held. The dates are yet to be finalised. The persons for this meeting are to be selected on the basis of the answers given to a questionnaire (the details of the questionnaire are discussed below) 

2. Forming teams to work in various ministries is the next step. A few ministries like out-reach to children, Out-reach to college students, evangelization through drama, music etc. teaching, healing etc. have been identified. A co-ordinating team consisting of Mathachan C.V., Marykutty. P.V., Johny M.K. & Ravi will work on these programmes.

Questionnaire for Youth Leaders:

    It has been decided to maintain a file of informations about Youth Leaders. The Youth Leaders selection for the various programmes will be from this file. The maintenance of this file will enable regular follow up of these persons. A specimen copy of the questionnaire is attached.

Youth Conventionin1984

        There has been a proposal for a Youth convention in 1984. But the feeling in the group is that a general convention is not what we need now. But a gathering of a limited number of youth for programmes with a definite orientation (eg. Out reach & ministries) it may be considered for the end of 1984 or the beginning of 1985. The details are to be worked out.

Documentation Centre:

        Though the idea of having a documentation centre came up in 1983, nothing could be done due to many reasons. Its need is still felt. Particularly in the working of ministries, such a documentation centre will be very helpful. How this plan could be realized is under the active consideration of the group.

Funds:

        This year also, the main source of funds will be contribution from the participants of the programmes and from the tithing of the Youth group. However the need for a fund to serve as a cushion is felt. Decisions on how and how much are yet to be made.

23rd February, 1984 EDWARD A . EDEZHATH