Teaming Up with the East District Council on Youth Ministry

Mar 31, 2022 | by Chloe Pittard

Hi Church!

I am incredibly thankful to be a part of the East District Council of Youth Ministry. To summarize, this organization improves and equips youth ministries in our district. We write curriculum for summer mission trips, plan district-wide events, and create partnerships with our UMC neighbors. But more than simply working together and meeting once a month, the EDCYM is a community of hard-working, Christ centered people who encourage and inspire each individual to participate in God’s work in this world.

This past Sunday, we had a district wide youth event held in the fellowship hall. All the EDCYM members arrived early to help set up, and just by looking at the people around me, I can honestly say I’ve never seen such a positive and caring environment even while just setting up tables and chairs. Each adult in the organization has a wonderful personality, but what I absolutely admire is how they care about each and every student despite the fact that they're from different churches. Whether it was a high five, a kind smile, or just so many laughs shared, it was hard to believe we’d never met in person before. The group of students involved are also light bearers for God. Each one of them had something to contribute to this community that makes us what we are. From reaching out over text the night before the event so we knew we each had a friend there beforehand, to talking in the dark about future goals and exciting things happening in our lives, this group of youths are leaving an impact on the hearts of all those they come in contact with.

I mentioned it above, but I'll say it again, we’ve never met in person before. Throughout this year, we have only had virtual meetings, yet when we finally met in person, it felt like we’d been together every week. We were finally able to greet our youth groups in person with a big smile, and DaMac (a Christian rapper) with gratitude and excited anticipation for what he would empower us with through song. He performed in a way that had us all jumping, shouting, pumping our fists, but most of all experiencing new ways to praise Jesus. He shared an incredible story about Mama Mac, his mother, who had the love of God living in and through her. DaMac’s interaction and eye contact with the audience made his performance come to life (aside from the heavy bass you could feel in your soul) in a way that demonstrated how God wants us to be included in His work, not just sit back and watch it happen. We also had a fabulous speaker, Chelsea Jones, who is the program director for the Central Texas Chapter of Project Transformation. She spoke to us about community, and reminded us that community is often associated with positive outlooks, but there are also negative impacts from different communities. How we act and treat others truly does impact the kind of community we form.

In every way, this district youth event was one for the memory books! But now, I would like to say thank you. Thank you to FUMC Hurst for letting us host and “break in” the fellowship hall (as Matt said). It was the perfect space to bring us all together as one. Thank you, EDCYM, for every person’s hard work, dedication, and infectious joy while putting this event together. Thank you, Claire Condrey, for organizing, leading us, and inviting us all to get involved within our various churches. Thank you most of all, Matt Rodgers, for reviving our youth group. We’ve had ups and downs (mostly due to covid) but the moment you started leading us, we found ourselves again. Whether it’s shouting AMEN after reading scripture, making up your own rules to 4-square and Gaga ball because apparently it’s illegal to get you out, or just simply asking us individually how school is going, you’ve made each of us feel seen. When Rev. Holly called me to see what I thought of you after meeting you during the interview process, I must have been foreshadowing somehow, because it all came true. I told her it seemed like you would care about us as individual people (which for me was one of the biggest things in looking for a new youth pastor, because I believe caring about everyone within the community builds a stronger one), and that I could tell you were going to do spectacular things for our youth group by getting us involved and excited to be a part of it. It felt like an answer to the prayers I had been praying when asking God to prepare our hearts for whoever our church would receive. You have built friendships with each of us, and I have enjoyed every moment of working on the EDCYM with you.

Thank you all, and thank you God for showing us where you are in our lives through the forms of this amazing communities.

With love and prayers,
Chloe Pittard