Volunteer Information

What is a Core Team?

Who: Who is the EDGE Core Team? A group of adults who value Faith, relationship, and middle schoolers.

What: A Core Team is an essential part of youth ministry. They provide support to the youth minister, lead small groups, give talks, implement the curriculum, and enter into relational ministry with the teens.

When: The EDGE Core Team is expected to commit to being present on EDGE nights (Sundays from 5:30-7:30 pm), as well as attend Core Team trainings and meetings.

Where: St Mark the Evangelist youth center! 

Why: Middle schoolers need the presence of caring, faith-filled adults in their lives. As they are growing and emerging into their adult self, it is so vital for them to see what the faith looks like in all stages of life. They need that example, leadership, care, and relationship that lets them know that they are seen, known, and loved… not only by the Core Team members, but also by Jesus. The Core Team is there to show the Heart of Jesus to the teens and lead them to deeper encounter with the Father.

How: “What is needed today is a church, which knows how to respond to the expectations of young people. Jesus wants to enter into a dialogue with them, and through his body, which is the church, to propose the possibility of a choice, which will require a commitment of their lives. As Jesus with the disciples of Emmaus, so the church must become the traveling companion of young people…” (JPII, WYD 1995). The Core Team enters into youth ministry the same way Jesus did. They become traveling companions to the youth in this faith journey through life when they encounter, encourage, listen, and engage in meaningful conversation with the youth. Jesus, though He was God, never condescended to the people He met… He just loved them. How do I serve on a Core Team? The answer is simple… LOVE.

Requirements:

-          Commit to the youth for one school year.

-          Attend annual Core Team retreat day and necessary Core Team meetings during the year.

-          Participate in the Core Team training.

-          Attend EDGE nights consistently. Relationships are built by spending time together. Your consistent attendance models a commitment to your               faith.

-          Commit to your parish’s weekly youth night agenda and arrive 30 minutes before the night begins to review material and pray as a Core Team.

-          Lead small groups during EDGE nights, which may include small group discussions, simple projects, and other small group activities.

-          Come to EDGE prepared by reading through the material in advance so you can successfully lead your group through the night’s activities.

-          Follow the parish’s discipline policy, and work with the youth minister if discipline issues arise.

-          Be open to new experiences and try things you have never tried before. Be willing to lead prayer, present to the large group, and perform in                       skits.

-          Be fun for the Gospel, but at the same time, remain the adult in the group

PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE TRAINING FOR EVERY ASPECT OF YOUTH MINISTRY IN WHICH YOU ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE, AND WILL NOT BE LEFT TO FEND FOR YOUSELF IN ANY AREA OF YOUTH MINSITRY

What are you worried about?

Are you worried that you don’t have enough experience or expertise? That will come! You will be trained in how to lead a small group and be given plenty of resources to be able to effectively minister to youth.

Are you worried about the time commitment? Pray about it. Anything valuable is worth a sacrifice. Heaven could look different if you decide to make that sacrifice. If a teen enters a relationship with Jesus and embraces the life of the Church… eternity will be changed. Your yes is valuable because the souls of young people are valuable. I would invite you to consider if Jesus is asking you to say yes to serving on the core team! It is His will we are trying to follow, no one else’s.

Are you worried about being “too old”? Well… Don’t. Teens don’t only need people in youth ministry who are young. They need ALL kinds of people in ALL stages of life to demonstrate to them what the Christian life looks like at any age! They first of all need relationship, and we all need to love and be loved! So, if you are a seasoned Christian, good. You are wanted and needed and valuable and you can have a great impact on the lives of teenagers if you desire to share the love of Jesus with them and walk with them on this journey of faith.

Are you worried that you shouldn’t join the Core Team because you are a parent with a child in the youth program? Just because you have a child in the youth program, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be on the Core Team. In this circumstance, I would invite you to consider your relationship with your teen. Do you think it would be a good fit? If the answer is yes, then great! If you aren’t sure, talk to me! I would love to help you figure it out. Parents can be very valuable members of a Core Team and should by no means rule it out just because their teen is in the youth program. 

I invite you to reflect on and pray with this passage from Scripture and consider if the Lord is calling you to be a member of St. Mark’s Core team. As a part of the Core team, you would be actively answering the call of Jesus to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) … If not us, then who?

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’”

Matthew 9:35-38

What is a Core Team?

Who: Who is the High School Core Team? A group of adults who value Faith, relationship, and high schoolers.

What: A Core Team is an essential part of youth ministry. They provide support to the youth minister, lead small groups, give talks, implement the curriculum, and enter into relational ministry with the teens.

When: The Core Team is expected to commit to being present on youth group nights (Sundays 6:30-8:30 pm), as well as attend Core Team trainings and meetings.

Where: St Mark the Evangelist youth center! 

Why: High schoolers need the presence of caring, faith-filled adults in their lives. As they are growing and emerging into their adult self, it is so vital for them to see what the faith looks like in all stages of life. They need that example, leadership, care, and relationship that lets them know that they are seen, known, and loved… not only by the Core Team members, but also by Jesus. The Core Team is there to show the Heart of Jesus to the teens and lead them to deeper encounter with the Father.

How: “What is needed today is a church, which knows how to respond to the expectations of young people. Jesus wants to enter into a dialogue with them, and through his body, which is the church, to propose the possibility of a choice, which will require a commitment of their lives. As Jesus with the disciples of Emmaus, so the church must become the traveling companion of young people…” (JPII, WYD 1995). The Core Team enters into youth ministry the same way Jesus did. They become traveling companions to the youth in this faith journey through life when they encounter, encourage, listen, and engage in meaningful conversation with the youth. Jesus, though He was God, never condescended to the people He met… He just loved them. How do I serve on a Core Team? The answer is simple… LOVE.

 Requirements:

-          Commit to Core Team for one school year.

-          Attend annual Core Team retreat day and necessary Core Team meetings during the year.

-          Participate in the Core Team training.

-          Attend youth group  nights consistently. Relationships are built by spending time together. Your consistent attendance models a commitment to                      your faith.

-          Commit to your parish’s weekly youth night agenda and arrive 30 minutes before the night begins to review material and pray as a Core Team.

-          Lead small groups, which may include small group discussions, simple projects, and other small group activities.

-          Come to youth group prepared by reading through the material in advance so you can successfully lead your group through the night’s activities.

-          Follow the parish’s discipline policy, and work with the youth minister if discipline issues arise.

-          Be open to new experiences and try things you have never tried before. Be willing to lead prayer, present to the large group, and perform in                       skits.

-          Be fun for the Gospel, but at the same time, remain the adult in the group

PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE TRAINING FOR EVERY ASPECT OF YOUTH MINISTRY IN WHICH YOU ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE, AND WILL NOT BE LEFT TO FEND FOR YOUSELF IN ANY AREA OF YOUTH MINSITRY

What are you worried about?

Are you worried that you don’t have enough experience or expertise? That will come! You will be trained in how to lead a small group and be given plenty of resources to be able to effectively minister to youth.

Are you worried about the time commitment? Pray about it. Anything valuable is worth a sacrifice. Heaven could look different if you decide to make that sacrifice. If a teen enters a relationship with Jesus and embraces the life of the Church… eternity will be changed. Your yes is valuable because the souls of young people are valuable. I would invite you to consider if Jesus is asking you to say yes to serving on the core team! It is His will we are trying to follow, no one else’s.

Are you worried about being “too old”? Well… Don’t. Teens don’t only need people in youth ministry who are young. They need ALL kinds of people in ALL stages of life to demonstrate to them what the Christian life looks like at any age! They first of all need relationship, and we all need to love and be loved! So, if you are a seasoned Christian, good. You are wanted and needed and valuable and you can have a great impact on the lives of teenagers if you desire to share the love of Jesus with them and walk with them on this journey of faith.

Are you worried that you shouldn’t join the Core Team because you are a parent with a child in the youth program? Just because you have a child in the youth program, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be on the Core Team. In this circumstance, I would invite you to consider your relationship with your teen. Do you think it would be a good fit? If the answer is yes, then great! If you aren’t sure, talk to me! I would love to help you figure it out. Parents can be very valuable members of a Core Team and should by no means rule it out just because their teen is in the youth program.

I invite you to reflect on and pray with this passage from Scripture and consider if the Lord is calling you to be a member of St. Mark’s Core team. As a part of the Core team, you would be actively answering the call of Jesus to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) … If not us, then who? 

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’”

Matthew 9:35-38

There are so many reasons why sharing meals together is important! First of all, people love food. Second of all, there is a relational element to sharing a meal that brings people together. Jesus gives us a good example in this. He didn't go out to the world simply to preach to people... He ate with them, He fed them (literally and spiritually), and then He gave us Himself in the Eucharist to eat! Crazy, right!?    

While you would not be expected to approach food the same way as Jesus did.... no need for loaves and fishes here! Being a part of the meal team could look like helping to coordinate meals for youth group nights or events, helping to serve food, or volunteering to bring food or snacks to youth group events. Take your pick!

Know that this is a very important aspect of the youth programs here at St. Mark, and all you efforts are greatly appreciated!

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31)

Chaperones are necessary for so many things! From helping drive teens to an outing at the bowling alley,  to going on overnight trips and retreats, to even just being present at youth nights, there are SO MANY ways in which you can serve as a chaperone.  

If you are one who has a busy schedule, but would still like to help out, this is a great opportunity since it is more of an "as needed" role with flexibility and adaptability to the level of commitment and investment you are up for!

A lot goes into planning for youth events, and if you have the talent for event planning, this is a great place for you to use your gifts for the glory of God and the upbuilding of the Body of Christ! Areas that you could help with are shopping for supplies, decorating for themed events,  brainstorming on future events, etc.. 

Any ministry cannot be successful without prayer. Prayer is VITAL if we are going to embark on this mission of evangelization and discipleship of youth. We need faith filled "prayer warriors" to intercede for us! As a part of the prayer team, you will receive the names of youth and volunteers in order to pray for them. You will also receive updates and special prayer requests regularly from the youth minister.  Please consider becoming a part of the prayer team, but even if you don't officially join, please pray for us anyways!!!

"With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints" - Ephesians 6:18