Ways for parishes to help ENGAGE YOUTH AND BUILD YOUTH PROGRAMS


The challenges faced by young people growing up in the United States today are innumerable, but the youth of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) face some unique hurdles because of the cultural diversity within our parish communities.

Youth: Carrying the Flame springs forth from discussions and fellowship at the similarly-themed 103rd Diocesan Assembly as well as the Youth Summit and the 2005 ACYOA General Assembly.

We hope this information will better prepare parish leaders – Clergy, Parish Council chairs and members, youth leaders, Sunday School staff and Armenian School staff – to foster participation and spiritual growth by the youth in their communities.

The ideas here should serve as a springboard for dialogue in your parish to recruit, engage and retain the youth that are vital to the future of our Armenian Church. Use it as a starting point and combine with ideas that develop from youth-focused discussions within your community.

You can download the Youth: Carrying the Flame guide and distribute it throughout your parish.