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New Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry coordinator |
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Written by Jen Jones
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Monday, 07 July 2008 |
Dear fellow Catholic 20-somethings,
As I sit down and actually try to write this, I'm not exactly sure what to say! I had to think for a moment what to even title the subject line so people would read it. ;-) I wanted it to read more of a "'Thank you,' or 'Ode to the 20-Somethings' or 'The Last Three Years.'" Maybe I'll just start a new title within the e-mail so I can do just as much.
"Farewell"
OK this isn't as dramatic as it sounds, but I do consider this to be my little "farewell" note as the coordinator of this amazing ministry that has brought so many people together and closer to God. After much prayer and spiritual direction, I have discerned that it is time for a new coordinator to rise up and take the reigns with a fresh perspective and new ideas. Effective Aug. 18, 2008, I will be stepping down as coordinator of the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry. The third annual ministry retreat will be the last event where I can officially be referred to as the leader of our young adult ministry. I have run the show for the ministry's first three years of existence, and though it is difficult to let go (and let God), I feel that it is time and only fair to the ministry's continued success for new leadership.
New Catholic 20-Somethings Coordinator
You will all be pleased to know that fellow 20-something Justin Golbabai will be stepping up as the new coordinator of the ministry upon my leaving the Leadership Team.
The discernment of my replacement was just that -- a true discernment. Earlier this year, I asked the Leadership Team to begin praying with me about whether it was time for a new leader and, if so, to pray that God would tug on the heart of someone to step up to the plate. I also asked them to pray with me that I would have the courage to move aside when it was time because I wasn't sure my selfishness would let me. Justin answered our prayers a few months later.
I knew Justin had started a young adult ministry when he lived in Savannah, Ga., a few years ago, and his involvement in the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry in the last year and a half had become more visible, both as a member, but, more importantly, as a leader among our members. Our peers had become comfortable approaching him with ideas and concerns that he proposed to the Leadership Team, which he hadn't yet served on. He also recognized the importance of praying for our ministry and its members by showing up to the ministry's Prayer Team gatherings.
Justin first took an official leadership role in the ministry as a small group leader then has since served on the Leadership Team as the new member chair. His passion for welcoming new members and making visitors feel comfortable and loved in our community has really made him an excellent spokesperson for our ministry and its mission.
After we had all been praying for several months, I felt it in my heart to approach Justin about the possibility of him becoming the new coordinator. Our conversation that night was relatively brief -- my asking him if he had been praying about it and how he felt about being called to serve as leader, and his response being that he truly did feel called. We discussed the conversation with the rest of the Leadership Team to see where their prayers had led them, and everyone affirmed Justin's discernment.
Justin's love for Christ and His Church as well as experience in young adult ministry leadership will make him a most humble yet strong coordinator of the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry. I am confident after having met with him several times as a kind of "training," that he will serve this ministry eagerly and prayerfully.
Now I put all of that at the top of the e-mail so those of you who don't want to read on can just stop now. That was the gist of my note. For those of you who care to know what this ministry has done for me or how it's changed my life, read on for my un-official "Ode to the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry."
Ode to the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry
What the Catholic 20-Somethings Has Meant to Me
Many of you know the story of how the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry came to be. If not, read our "State of the Ministry" address from last spring here.
Many of you also have your own stories of what our ministry has meant to you -- stories that I want to hear and somehow preserve. It touches my heart so deeply to see how God has worked through each other to build this young adult ministry. More to come on this ...
I can tell you that when I started the ministry, I never dreamed the 20-Somethings would become what it has today. When eight of us showed up to the ministry's first event on Aug. 1, 2005, I never could have fathomed that we'd grow to include 261 members three years later, with events pretty much happening, on average, four to five days a week. I'd never been involved in youth, campus or young adult ministry before, so I had no idea what to expect. What has come to be, in my experience, is a group of my closest friends who work at building one another up and walking with each other on our faith journeys -- an experience that can never be described in the amount of love I feel for it and its members.
I am so blessed to have been used as God's tool in creating this ministry. Blessed Mother Teresa said it best when she said, "We are all pencils in the hands of God." It is humbling and awe-inspiring to see what can be possible when we follow our hearts to do what God asks. Look how many Catholics in their 20s were hungry for a ministry built like ours! Words will never fully express how grateful I am for the friendships I've made, the spiritual experiences I've gained and the opportunities I've been given to serve through my involvement in founding the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry. I cannot imagine my life without having been involved in this ministry the last three years. My faith has been fed immensely through the experience.
As you've probably seen if you've even read this far, I could write a novel on the many different experiences I've had and dear friends I've made through being founder and coordinator. I am full of a mixture of emotions as I step down as the leader: relieved and excited about the new coordinator but also a little sad to move aside from this type of leadership capacity.
It helps enormously to know we have a strong Leadership Team in place and that other opportunities to serve in the ministry exist -- both for me and every single member. We've laid a foundation that allows for the Holy Spirit to work through anyone and everyone to make a difference in the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry. This is something I feel strongly about and have reiterated both to Justin and the Leadership Team as a whole. There is very much of an open door policy, encouraging ideas, comments, concerns and suggestions to be brought forth. Always remember that this is YOUR ministry -- it's never been mine, or Justin's or the Leadership Team's alone -- it's yours, everyone's. It's whatever YOU make it to be. One person or a small group of people cannot do it by themselves. We need you and your ideas.
One last thing I ask is for your continued prayers -- prayers for Justin and the Leadership Team and, most especially, for your prayers for the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry, its members and its mission in general. The ministry cannot do its work and complete it's God-given purpose without prayer.
Though this is my "farewell" letter as the coordinator, I will, of course, still be involved in the ministry. I am working on the release of a major project, which I hope you'll hear more about soon as details get ironed out. I still have three years left as a 20-something, and I plan to spend all of them walking beside you, connecting young adults to the Catholic Church, carrying each other's crosses and being with you on your journeys toward Christ.
The Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry has changed my life. Each of you has changed my life, in one way or another. Your presence in this ministry makes it happen. Also, thank you for allowing me to serve you as coordinator for so long. I will always have each of you and the ministry in my prayers, no matter what stage of life I find myself in. May God always bless you.
Your sister in Christ,
Jen Jones
Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry Founder and Coordinator, 2005-2008 |
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