April 30, 2021
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Dear Hennepin Youth & Families
Good youth ministry includes the whole family.

My ministry philosophy has always been focused on coming alongside you, and that's especially important as we begin to move towards a new post-pandemic normal. There are three important opportunities for youth and their family to participate in conversations designed to support you all.

RSVP to participate in one of the upcoming Listening sessions that I'm holding to learn what your family needs from this ministry going forward.

Watch the upcoming Facebook Live Conversation co-hosted by Heather Alden and I as we hear from youth about the mental health challenges and racial trauma they've experienced in the last year.

Check out the new Facebook group by searching "Parents and Friends of HAUMC Youth"

More Details are below.

Grace and Peace,

Rick
Upcoming Events
5/2 @ 5 pm - Youth Night on Zoom
5/9 @ 5 pm - Youth Night on Zoom
5/12 @ 7 pm - Facebook Live conversation with Heather Alden and Rick Belbutoski
5/16 @ 1pm - Ministry House backyard
5/22 @ 11:30am - Ministry House backyard
5/23 @ 5pm on Zoom

8/3-8/6 - Serve MSP (Local Justice Mission)

Join the Weekly Youth Night Zoom Call by clicking the link below!
Let's Talk!
A lot has happened in the lives of our children, youth and families over the past year. We believe that ministry should reflect our collective lived experiences. Please join Rick and Lynne as they host listening sessions with parents and youth. We invite you to share ideas about what we should keep from our previous ministry offerings, and what changes could be made to better reflect the lessons learned from the past year.
 
Sessions will be held in person in the Ministry House backyard and also on Zoom. Playground supervision for younger kids will be available, and we’ll have fun activities for older kids, too.  

Hennepin Kids Meetings:
Sunday, 5/16 @ 3pm kids - Ministry House backyard
Saturday, 5/22 @ 10am - Ministry House backyard
Sunday, 5/23 @ 5pm on Zoom 

Youth Meetings:
Sunday, 5/16 @ 1pm - Ministry House backyard
Saturday, 5/22 @ 11:30am - Ministry House backyard
Sunday, 5/23 @ 5pm on Zoom

Please use the following sign up genius to help us plan our time
Hot Topics with Heather and Rick

Following the positive response from April's Facebook Live Conversation on Supporting Stressed Teens, Heather Alden and Rick Belbutoski are teaming up for a series of monthly conversations. These conversations will air on Hennepin's Facebook live on Wednesday nights at 7 pm on May 12, June 16, July 21, and August 18 and be available on demand after they air.

May's conversation will be on Mental Health and the effects of Racial Trauma
June's conversation will focus on Pride month and and what it means to be a good Ally
July's conversation will be on Navigating another Pandemic Summer
August's conversation will dive into how to return to school after 18 months of Covid.
This is a public group dedicated to parents and friends of the HAUMC youth program. The goal of this group is to provide resources and information that support those who support youth. This group also seeks to facilitate a community of those who have been blessed and challenged with the responsibility to raise young people to love God and their neighbor. 

Search "Parents and Friends of HAUMC Youth" on Facebook to join.
Want to Connect With Students from the Other side of the World?
Ann Carlson, former Director of the Dignity Center, and tireless advocate for students in Baiwalla, Sierra Leone, joined our Youth Night Zoom call last Sunday with an offer for our students.

She invited our students to become pen pals via email with the students in Baiwalla as a way to increase cultural exchange and help the students improve their English skills. If you're interested in becoming a pen pal with a student in Baiwalla, please contact Rick. (rick@haumc.org)
Save the First week of August for Serve MSP!
I want to invite you to save the first week in August for the upcoming Local Justice Mission. As an intentional response to the inequities that have been illuminated and amplified by the pandemic and killing of George Floyd in the hands of the Minneapolis Police, Hennepin youth will have the opportunity to join youth from all over the Twin Cities for a week of service. The local justice mission is a collaborative effort from five area United Methodist Church's and is open to middle and high school students. More details are coming soon. Please mark your calendars.
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Sunday is Youth Night on Zoom