Have you seen one anywhere? They are a delicate species that can hide easily but, once discovered, can show you marvelous treasures of love. They live in close community and often share activities with other small groups in the same neighborhood.

Do you know the kind I mean? Small groups range in size from two to ten. This size has possibilities for intimate discussion, personal sharing, and one-on-one interaction between young people and adults.

Most Episcopal congregations are small, so it would follow that many of our youth groups are small as well. These groups must be tended carefully and nurtured so that all their potential can be realized.

As for the young people in these groups, you can know them well and share their joys and fears. Become their friend, and they will become yours.

If you are on a journey with a small group, read on!

A small group has unique qualities and possibilities for ministry on an individual basis. You can have relationships that develop from a sense of community that would not be possible with larger numbers. It doesn't matter whether your group is small because of declining church membership, a transition time, building a new congregation, or a limited number of young people; you all share in an exciting ministry with one another.

Creativity and spontaneity keep small groups going. As in all groups, planning is vital, and exploring options allows many forms of ministry to take place. In your small youth group, individual needs become apparent, community with the whole congregation can be encouraged, and a setting exists where a relational style of ministry can come alive.

A philosophy of youth ministries independent of size enables small groups to be valuable and important. Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20).

The needs of a group of two to ten people are based on where the individuals are in their lives-spiritually, emotionally, and physically. To discover the needs of the members in your group, listen. Watch for topics that continually arise in conversation. Better yet, ask questions. Young people and adults in open dialogue about concerns and issues are partnership in action. Interest surveys and questionnaires are also good methods. Sometimes such a small number will create an atmosphere of closeness that is intimidating for them as well as for you, the leader. Be sensitive to those needs and keep communication open.

A small youth group can become involved in the whole congregation in many ways. You all can:

• Participate on congregational committees
• Do social action projects in the neighboring community
• Adopt senior members of the congregation and visit them regularly
• Participate in worship as readers and liturgists
• Help teach in the Christian education program
• Volunteer in the nursery

Relationships are the core of your ministry. The fewer there are of you, the more time you can spend individually with each one. Treasure them and nurture them!

There is no perfect recipe for youth ministries. There are only guides and suggestions on how youth ministries works in other congregations. All resources will need to be adapted to the individual needs of the congregation.

Activities should be for shorter periods of time. Smaller groups can have a difficult time with discussions. A large amount of individual energy is used when there are only a few people. Direct questions to particular people and encourage answers that are more than yes or no responses. Allow for and expect silence. Thinking and feeling may take place more when there are fewer words. Don't avoid discussion, just be sure to balance with other types of activity.

Group games will need some adapting. I have yet to find one single resource that is specifically for very small groups, but most recreation books have sections for small groups. Many times merely a change in the rules will make a game for a big group work for a small one. One of the best times we had in our youth group was playing makeshift badminton with only four people.

Singing is a beautiful way to share in the worship and praise of God. Some young people are not very comfortable with their own voices and therefore feel self-conscious in a small group. If the young people in your group want to sing, encourage them. If not, find other ways to build community and worship God.

Ask questions. Talk to the young people and see what they are thinking about the programs in your congregation. Ask parents, friends, and ministers about the purpose and direction youth ministries will take in your congregation. Gather information and resources from your congregation, diocese, and province. Refer to "Places to Find Support," section in this handbook for more questions and answers.

Discover the needs. Who are the young people in your congregation and community and what are their needs and desires? Youth ministries that includes the ideas of young people is more complete.

Find support. Especially with small numbers the feeling of being alone is common. Your support will come in encouragement from the clergy and vestry, time spent by volunteers, money from the budget, and energy from excited young people. Other people involved in youth ministries can also give you ideas and support. Seek them out!

Investigate your options. This is really where your creativity comes in. For groups that include a wide range of ages, junior high and senior high students can be combined into one group, if you need to do so. I have enjoyed working with this combination, with its unique dynamics, problems, and possibilities. Try it!

Starting interest groups to look more closely at particular issues or participate in various activities is another alternative. Creative thinking can lead to peacemaking studies, hunger task forces, drug abuse awareness programs, or jogging groups, softball teams, and progressive dinners. With smaller groups the interest or activity groups may be the core of the program. Combining the young people with adults in one program can happen in groups of this type. No matter what kind of program you choose, do it with the love, hope, and faith of Christ.

Cluster groups, where two or more youth groups meet together, is a way for young people to meet in larger community settings. Horizons are broadened as young people share their interests and backgrounds. Leaders can also pool resources and share responsibilities when they are involved in cluster groups. Some clusters meet regularly on a weekly basis, while others are scheduled periodically in addition to congregational group meetings.

Be creative and have fun. Take the resources you have access to and use them. Dated material can still speak to youth today when it is introduced in interesting new ways. Make up your own ideas and encourage the young people to add their own.

The small youth group is alive and well in the Episcopal Church. Take care of it, nurture it, and keep the young people and adults active in youth ministries by encouraging groups even when there are only "two or three together."