Workshop to empower adults

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
August 17, 2006

The Center for Ministry Development (CMD) will offer a workshop titled Empowering Adults on Sept. 9 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Storm Lake from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The youth and young adult ministry office of the Diocese of Sioux City is sponsoring the event.

"We've been doing a series of workshops," said Jessica La Fleur, director of youth and young adult ministry for the diocese. "We had Effective Practices in Youth Ministry and then we had a parish leadership day. They build on each other but it is not necessary that you go to all of them. It is a series that we can offer."

This training program is for parish youth ministry and catechetical volunteers and is based on Renewing the Vision, the latest research on the new millennial generation, and on years of experience in Catholic youth ministry. The program consists of a general session and workshops.

"It is day-long, hands-on training," said La Fleur.

The day will begin with registration and gathering at 8:30 a.m. followed by a welcome and prayer.

The opening session will be Ministry with the Millennial Disciples. This session will include an introduction to comprehensive youth ministry, an overview of the traits of the millennial generation and the role of adults in the lives of young people.

"It is youth ministry, but I think Catholic school teachers would hugely benefit from this as well," said La Fleur. "This is exactly what they need to do in the schools as well as youth ministry and religious education programs."

After a morning break, the participants will go into break-out workshops. There will be six workshops offered throughout the day and the attendees are able to go to three.

Round one of workshops will offer Praying with Youth and Building Community with Youth. Round two will be Sharing Faith with Youth and Keys to Successful Youth Programs. Relating to Youth and Serving with Youth workshops will be offered during the third round.

The closing session will be Called to Ministry and Prayer. This session focuses on the volunteer as a person of faith. It will include a reflection on Jesus' life and ministry as well as a reflection on the ways that people have experienced God's call and responded to it.

"It is important to keep offering workshops because our needs continually change but we can always continue to learn more about how we can better serve our church," said La Fleur.

Each participant will receive a handbook that contains the worksheets and handouts for the workshop. The handbook will help during the workshop as well as help in the participants work in the parish. The resource also includes Web sites and connections to other youth servicing organizations, publishers and resource providers.

The cost of the workshop is $25 per person and $100 per parish team if registered by Aug. 24. After Aug. 24, the rate is $35 person and $140 per parish team.

Registration and fee may be sent to Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, PO Box 3379, Sioux City, IA 51102. Make checks payable to the Diocese of Sioux City. For more information, contact La Fleur at(712) 233-7561.