Dear Youth, Parents, and Volunteers of Youth Ministry at Fourth Church,

 

As you may have heard announced in worship this past weekend, Kickoff Sunday for youth ministry programs (grades 6-12) has been rescheduled to Sunday, September 16, with the exception of Youth Choir, which will still begin this Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

The sole reason for this is that I must be at a family funeral in Kansas on Saturday, September 8 and cannot  return to Chicago in time for the previously scheduled kickoff. My wife's sister died quite suddenly on Tuesday, August 21, and I covet your prayers for my wife--Meredith--and for our family.

 

The Welcome-Back Picnic for children, youth, and their families will still be happening in the Michigan Avenue courtyard this coming Sunday, September 9, and I encourage all of you to go. There will be burgers and hot dogs and even a bouncy castle (you're never too old for a bouncy castle).

 

Then the following Sunday we will kick off our youth programming for this year. Once again, here is the Sunday morning schedule, which will now begin on Sunday, September 16:

 

9:30 a.m.        Junior High (Grades 6-8)

10:00 a.m.      Youth Choir (Grades 9-12; Grades 6-8 join at 10:15 a.m.)

10:30 a.m.      All-Youth Bagels in the Bumpus Room 

11:00 a.m.      Senior High and Confirmation

 

And now for an exciting announcement!

In July, after five years of leading and growing our Urban Youth Mission program while also coordinating junior high ministry, Katie Patterson became the full-time Director of Urban Youth Mission. This is an exciting move for youth ministry at Fourth Church, as it will only strengthen and expand UYM, which is a critical expression of our church mission to be in ministry with young people.

 

It is my great pleasure to tell you that Katie will be joined on our staff by the new Youth Discipleship Coordinator, Jasclyn Coney. Jasclyn's first day in the office is this Wednesday, September 5, and your first chance to meet her will be at Kickoff Sunday, September 16.  

 

A little bit about her:

 

Jasclyn is a native of Chicago who grew up at Trinity United Church of Christ. She earned her bachelor of arts in psychology from Chicago State University in 2012 and then obtained a master of arts from Roosevelt University in clinical professional psychology with a dual concentration in both child and family systems. She is an adult, child, and adolescent psychotherapist and a certified domestic violence and sexual assault advocate.

 

Jasclyn also earned a master of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in May of 2018. Her favorite scripture is Psalm 23. She believes God has called her to work both within and outside the walls of the church by supporting, cultivating, and advocating for diverse community settings to ensure justice within institutional and sacred spaces. She is the founder of Jascyln Nichelle Ministries, which promotes holistic wellness by contributing knowledge and expertise in the fields of mental health and Christian education in order to equip others to maintain healthy and balanced lifestyles.

 

I know you will join me in welcoming Jasclyn to the Fourth Church youth community!

 

My deepest gratitude to all of you for your engagement with youth ministry at Fourth Church. I can't wait to see you all on Sunday, September 16!

 

Yours in faith,

 

Rocky