From Father Joel, Director of Youth Ministries:

The last five months have flown by. It seems like I just started. But look at what we have accomplished.

The goal of our Youth Ministry is to offer a balanced program including worship experience, religious education, spiritual and moral guidance, and social activity. The focus of all we do should always be the core of what comprises the Christian life: Worship, Witness, Service, Education, and Fellowship.

Prior to my starting here, I went to Kanuga summer camp in North Carolina with the youth. It was a great time to focus on youth ministry and get to know the youth that attended. Soon after, the Church was well represented at the Bowl-a-thon for Boca Helping Hands. We won awards for the youth group with the most kids, the most sponsors, and the most money raised individually.

The next big event we had was the Night of Joy. This is a day that thousands of youth descend on Disney's Hollywood Studios. There were around a dozen Christian bands playing all over the park while we had a great time riding rides and hanging out with other youth groups.

In October, we had fun at the Spookactular. This was not only a fun event for the youth, it invited kids from the neighborhood to our church. In December, we made the paper with our hosting the Save Darfur rally. We hosted Niemat Ahmadi, who shared her experience in Darfur with over 60 people from the community. This was done in connection with youth from Temple Beth El and students from FAU.

The Diocesan Christmas Ball with Bishop Frade, decorating the angel trees, and the Christmas party at the Burnsides were all great ways to celebrate Christmas. After Christmas, 78 youth and chaperones from around our diocese traveled by bus to Winterlight #33 in Kanuga, North Carolina. The focus of Winterlight was opening our hearts to the Lord.

This coming year we are going to continue to have many activities that will help us focus on walking in the way of Christ. Some highlights will be a work day at the Wayne Barton Center, the Sleep Out for the homeless, and our mission trip to the Gulf Coast. We will also seek opportunities to worship and interact with other youth in the diocese, and the youth have been excited to do this. I have been attending the Diocesan Youth Commission meetings, and we will be hosting the next Youth Commission meeting. In addition to these activities, we will be celebrating Holy Eucharist at the beach every 5th Sunday. We will also be having regular youth group each Sunday. Middle School meets after church on Sunday and High School meets in the afternoon.