To our Children's and Youth Ministry leaders,
We are grateful for your creative and faithful ministries during this challenging season.
As we continue to adapt the ways we are building beloved communities with young people, you might find the following resources and guidance helpful.
The best wisdom right now includes offering outdoor programs for small groups, with six feet of social distance, while wearing masks (Governor’s Executive Order 20-74).
From there, all youth-serving organizations are developing ways to deliver education and other opportunities in order to support young people's social and emotional wellbeing while protecting their physical health.
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The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommendations for youth and staff at camps and day camps.
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The YMCA has gotten into the specifics with a field guide of how the CDC guidelines best apply to various youth activities (swimming, etc.).
There is a wide range of possibilities to safely deliver the programming young people need. We trust all of our faith communities and leaders to design ministries within these guidelines that are a good fit for their local cultures and contexts.
For ministries that serve young people, it is always good practice to work collaboratively with parents. Please inform them of your COVID-19 precautions ahead of any program, just as you would communicate safe church practices.
Additionally, programs that have a variety of engagement points work well to foster inclusion for everyone. Consider ministry designs that offer multiple tracks, such as: online only activities, hybrid activities with online and outdoor components, and outdoor only activities.
We welcome the chance to walk alongside you and offer helpful support. Please contact your Missioner for Children, Youth, and Camp with any questions regarding your ministries with children's and youth (sarah.b@episcopalmn.org).
Grace and Peace,
The Rt. Rev. Craig Loya
X Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota
Sarah Barnett
Missioner for Children, Youth, and Camp
The Episcopal Church in MN
