The Cross of Circles

The focus of all Diocese youth and young adult ministry programs is centered upon the five areas of a life centered in Christ: worship, witness, education, service and fellowship.
The following definitions were created at the first National Young Adult Leadership Conference on February 4-6, 2000, in which the Primate called a gathering of enthusiastic young adults in an effort to develop a new mission statement and direction for young adult ministry in the Diocese. The descriptions that follow provide a practical platform for all youth ministry programming in the Diocese — a platform created by the youth, for youth.

WORSHIP

In worship we continually strengthen our relationship with God through participation in the sacraments and communal and personal prayer. Worship ties together the two-fold nature of both personal and communal worship, as well as being an integral part of our community life as Armenian Christians. In our daily lives, worship takes a more informal role, through personal prayer.

WITNESS

"In witness we share with others the light of our Lord and transform the world rather than conform to it," (Romans 12:2).

We witness our faith when we share with others the light of Our Lord, by confronting the world, rather than conforming to society. To do this we must first learn and understand our faith through the Bible and the Church. Then we must take our knowledge of the Good News of the Gospels, and share it with society through our actions and our words.

EDUCATION

In education we learn about the Holy Tradition of the Armenian Church and heritage and integrate that knowledge into our lives. To fulfill our mission of Christian education we must continue the spiritual connection with God and the church during young adulthood through prayer and outreach; and ensure that the educational opportunities we offer address the differences in cultural backgrounds and strengthen our commitment to learning.

SERVICE

In service we offer ourselves to God by using our gifts and talents to fulfill the needs of our parish and community. In service we must became Christ-like, and challenge the youth to do the same, we must make an unconditional sacrifice and commitment to God by using our gifts and talents to serve our parishes, communities, and the needs of all people.

"I came to serve, not to be served." (Matthew 20:28)

FELLOWSHIP: A Common Life in Christ

In fellowship we create and maintain relationships that nourish Armenian youth through their Christian faith and heritage. The intent of fellowship is to bring young Armenians together and to nourish them in the faith of our forefathers under the flame of the Armenian Church.

Program Ideas for Youth and Young Adults

The Department of Youth and Education compiled the following list of program ideas based on “The Cross of Circles,” which is the focus of the Diocesan Mission Statement and platform of the ACYOA.

Each of these ideas can be tailored to meet the needs of almost any age group. It is imperative in crafting youth programs that the adults lead by example in worshipping, witnessing, educating, serving and forging relationships, all the while engaging our youth. Programs should be designed with youth in mind.

This list is neither all-inclusive nor final. Rather, it is open ended. Many new and creative programs are being implemented at parishes and we invite you to tailor one or many of the ideas below to your audience.

WORSHIP
• Sponsor a seminar or workshop on Scripture, the Liturgy or other theological subjects
• Encourage your parish to hold an Instructed Liturgy
• Ask your pastor to conduct a six-week Bible Study series
• Organize for young adults to attend church an d sit together
• Hold a lecture on prayer in the Armenian tradition
• Attend other Oriental Orthodox Churches
• Encourage participation in the Junior Choir, Choir or Altar Server classes

WITNESS
• Sponsor a retreat for beginners, for doubters on any topic
• Write an article about your faith for the church bulletin or newsletter
• Organize a panel of parishioners to speak to young adults about their faith journey
• Lead youth to participate in ecumenical organizations
• Organize a Christmas caroling activity
• Serve during Divine Liturgy
• Witness your faith through service
• Donate an Armenian book to a local library and/or college

EDUCATION
• Take a group to visit a church from another tradition; take notes and discuss the experience
• Start a book club; read books by and/or about Armenians and discuss them
• Sponsor a leadership conference in your region
• Visit a museum
• Visit St. Nersess Seminary; call ahead and they'll arrange a tour and lunch
• Videotape interviews with your parish senior citizens; find out what life was like 50-60 years ago; ask questions about careers, dating and marriage, family life, church life, etc.
• Attend your church's Parish Assembly; find out what's going on in your community
• Organize an Armenian cooking class for beginners
• Invite an "expert" to give a lecture on a subject of interest to your group or community
• Sponsor an HLP (Holy Land Project) Forum
• Host Armenian Language classes
• Present a slideshow on Armenia
• Organize a genocide commemoration
• Honor an Armenian artist or writer

SERVICE

Serving within your parish
• Serve during Badarak
• (altar server, choir member; greeter, usher, Kiss of Peace, Bible reader, etc.)
• Volunteer during the bazaar, food festival, or picnic
• Host a Lenten dinner for your parish
• Offer a ride to church for people who do not have a car
• Sponsor coffee hour after services
• Honor mothers and fathers in May and June with a parish breakfast or a carnation
• Host a family night for your parish
• Start a college ministry in your city; give away care packages with Armenian goodies
• Teach Sunday school
• Visit an elderly person or someone in the hospital from your parish with your pastor
• Serve on a parish committee such as the parish council or ACYOA executive committee
• Sponsor ACYOA Day
• Organize a group to beautify the church grounds and/or facilities
• Commemorate April 24 (Armenian Genocide Memorial Recognition) in any of 24 ways (available from DYE staff)
• Start a library in your parish with books of importance or interest to Armenians
• Volunteer at parish and/or Diocese summer camp programs
• Work with your parish ACYOA Juniors

Serving within your community
• Volunteer at a local soup kitchen
• Help stock food at a food bank
• Serve at a homeless shelter
• Host a clothing drive
• Sponsor a canned food drive
• Visit a nursing home; entertain the residents with your talents
• Clean up a local park
• Volunteer at a hospital
• Host a Toys for Tots drive in the parish
• Helpful websites: www.volunteermatch.org, www.idealist.org

Serving Armenia
• Serving on a volunteer trip to Armenia such as the Armenia Service Program
• Sponsor a child in Armenia through the CASP program
• Collect school supplies for children in Armenia
• Raise money to support needy people in Armenia
• Helpful websites: www.acyoa.org (ASP), www.birthrightarmenia.org

Serving all in need
• Organize a blood drive in your parish
• Take part in a national program such as "Race for the Cure"
• Support an organization helping those in need
• Helpful websites: www.redcross.org , www.worldvision.org

FELLOWSHIP

Around the Church
• Sponsor a music festival showcasing young Armenian musicians
• Host an art exhibit showcasing young Armenian artists
• Organize a talent show
• Hold a lock-in (sleepover) for youngsters or young adults with fun and interesting activities

Food and Fun
• Have, an old-fashioned ice cream social
• Meet after work once a month for dinner
• Take your pastor to dinner
• Invite local students, young people to church for dinner
• Organize a group lunch after church
• Have a party: New Year's Eve, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Super Bowl, Poon Paregentan, costume, wine & cheese, by a pool, at the beach

Going Places
• Plan a weekend trip to New York City; visit St. Vartan Cathedral
• Attend a sports event, a concert, a play, a movie
• Go to an amusement park
• Go Christmas Caroling
• Organize a scavenger hunt (for example, each team will need a car and a Polaroid camera and return with photos of themselves with the following people at work —police officer, receptionist, doctor, priest — develop a list of other things to find!

Sports and Activities
• Go mountain climbing; when you reach the summit, reflect on God's majestic creation
• Organize trips to go ice skating, horseback riding, hiking, camping, skiing, bowling...
• Play volleyball, softball, basketball, billiards
• Challenge your parish ACYOA Juniors to a friendly competition; invite the community
• Sponsor a tournament: tavloo, ping-pong, chess, golf
• Play "Church Jeopardy" or Charades
• Start a drama group; perform skits and plays for the parish