One aspect of youth ministries is creating and developing opportunities to learn, understand, and become aware of our differences and similarities as God's people. Experiencing our global community means realizing that there is not one "right" way of doing things but many different ways. Yes, we are people of different colors, races, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Every society teaches its own "right" ways of doing things. Individuals who isolate themselves can go indefinitely without ever having to confront different situations. But God has given each of us, as part of the church in a global community, the opportunity to experience our common humanity. We "are no longer strangers and sojourners, but ... fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Eph. 2:19).

Awareness

How can we experience the church as a global community? Traditionally, we've been taught that the only way to create an awareness of and participate in the global community is through overseas ministries and serving others. Christ, our model, listened, cared, healed, fed the hungry, taught, preached for peace and justice, and freed the oppressed. We are called to be "ambassadors of Christ," caring and reconciling, that there may be equality. There is no definite place or geographical location to do this ministry. Our call is to our family and friends near and far, in our country and in other countries. Experiencing the church as a global community is not only for a chosen few but for everyone. We experience being part of the global community when we work, serve, learn, share, and struggle together.

Early Christians gathered for discussion, study, worship, reflection, prayer, and fellow
ship. The power to go out into the world to share God's love in their lives was a miracle of faith. We too, today, need to make the time to pray, worship, study, and share as we go and reach out to others in love.

Serving

It is exciting to see the energy, satisfaction, and hope young people receive from helping and serving others. A mutual learning experience occurs when we listen, share, and grow from our differences and similarities. This is how awareness develops. We are different and yet alike as people created in God's image.

There are many projects that can be developed to enable young people to experience the church as a global community. Do not see fear or lack of finances as a barrier to global experiences and opportunities.

Start Small

Start small. Don't overwhelm your group or produce guilt feelings to the point of creating a negative experience. Begin with a good theological foundation. Do not try to do too many things at the same time. A project that the youth group does together will create a sense of investment in the outcome. Put the group in charge of some guidance.

There are always ways to raise funds for a big project. Car washes, dinners, sales, and other efforts can raise funds for any youth group whether the investment is an overseas mission projects or a local construction project. There are, however, creative projects for youth groups that don't require a lot of money but still require getting the group motivated. Some suggestions follow. Remember, the goal is to create an awareness of the group's surroundings and the global community of which they are a part.

Ideas

1. Provide summer recreation programs for day-care centers.
2. Prepare teams to do cleaning, house care, and repair work for the elderly.
3. Support a children's home by visiting, reading, playing, collecting clothes, and so on.
4. Share, learn with, and support young people from other countries through correspondence and an "information day" in your congregation, school, or community.
5. Volunteer to help in soup kitchens, visit and help those who are ill or shut in, develop a prison or jail ministry in your community.
6. Invite speakers, missionaries, and other guests to share information, programs, concerns, and updates on global issues.
7. Develop events and programs that motivate and create an environment for cross-cultural exchanges and participation.
8. Assist congregational, diocesan, community, and city projects that promote awareness and help the needy (such as Habitat for Humanity, city shelters).
9. Help your youth group create awareness for themselves and your congregation through Bible study, display areas, bulletin boards, workshops, and presentations.
10. Read and stay abreast of news, social issues, and economic concerns.
11. Write to elected officials and others who have impact on laws and actions.
12. Learn and study about other cultures and races.
13. Live and create awareness for a healthy environment and the preservation of natural resources and wildlife.
14. Create opportunities for education and the sharing of money, skills, and time.
15. Sponsor a celebration of Anglican Youth Sunday.

These are some ideas to enable your youth group to become aware of what it means to be part of a global community. It is very important that youth and adults share, learn, and grow together. That is part of being a "community." Being part of the global community is a reason to celebrate, rejoice, and then reach out to others to invite them to belong also. May we recognize the gifts of our young people and their essential role in creating a church that will model what it means to be a global community.