A Deeper Look into Commons Youth
Bobbi & Alexandra
I (Bobbi) asked Alexandra to answer five questions about her work with Commons Youth. Her answers give you a window into the thoughtfulness she applies and the care for students happening every week at Commons. Teenagers are inspiring – read on to be inspired.
Bobbi: What is your favourite thing about working with Commons Youth?
Alexandra: Ooh boy, I think they are so funny. They are quirky, thoughtful, and hilarious, and I love hearing their thoughts every week. I was pretty worried about not being the archetypal youth leader (i.e., young and hip), but I’ve learned that bringing my honest mom energy is all they expect of me, and that’s pretty lovely.
B: For folks who don’t have a clue, who are the youth at Commons, and what does Commons Youth get up to?
A: A junior high group, grades 7-9, meets on Sunday morning during the 10:30 am service. The senior high is grades 10-12 and meets on Wednesday evenings. One Wednesday a month, we do a joint junior/senior high night where we do either a fun activity or a service night. Starting in the New Year, we’ll add a junior high-only fun night one Friday/month!
B: What kind of “program” does Commons youth follow? What do they learn/explore about faith?
A: I’m coming up on my first full year in youth ministry, and it’s been a lot of learning how to engage students in an experience of God. In senior high, we’ve been exploring the idea of spiritual practices in our everyday lives. With junior high, we’ve been following the sermon series outline and finding ways to adapt it to this younger age group. One of my favourite things has been taking a spiritual practice like Lectio Divina and adjusting the practice just a bit so that a grade seven student can drop themselves into the bible story and, as a result, ask profound questions.
B: If you could put into words the gift that teenagers can be to the church, what would you say?
A: I think that teenagers challenge us to be wholly ourselves. They are unafraid to ask questions and do not abide by pretense or inauthenticity. They need an environment of safety, truth, and love to thrive, and I think that’s the type of church I want for all of us.
B: How can people support Commons Youth?
A: How beautiful it would be to know that a whole church of people is praying for these kids: for the protection of their hearts, bodies, and minds. I would love to have more intergenerational connections for the youth, whether that is through new volunteers or people opening their homes for the occasional youth gathering.