Much as I am an advocate for and practitioner of Youth Ministry, I have always been of the school of holistic and lifelong approaches to Christian Formation.

Youth Ministry should not function in a vacuum or a silo apart from the body of the congregation, but from within the center of the community.

Many of us with Youth Mission and Ministry in our job descriptions are also engaged in Children’s or Young Adult or Family Ministries, too. Others function only within the realm of teenagers. Either way, we should be about bridging gaps between generations and culture.

With that in mind, today I invite you to check out the Episcopal Children’s blog that is published within our Formation and Vocation Ministries Team. Today, Wendy Claire Barrie from St. Bart’s in Manhattan (one of my favorite worship spots near our New York Office) is the guest blogger, offering tips about helping the entire community transition back into the rhythm of the school year.

Take a peek!

And be sure to encourage students to visit the d365 Back to School reflections, which are meaningful devotions for youth and young adults as they transition into a new year.