The Beatles’ song Eight Days a Week referenced that they were working so hard, they were working eight days a week. This always seemed like a potential theme song for youth ministers to me. Here continues a weekly series to serve you over your next eight days with eight notes and sets of links for your information and formation. Pass these along in your e-newsletters (and offer Project YM a little love in the process, please.)
- Lots of breaking news over the weekend. Pope Francis named two new archbishop-elects (and likely eventual cardinals.) Anthony Fisher, OP for Sydney and Blase Cupich for Chicago. What does this indicate about How does the Holy Father select such men for leadership? as well as What sort of statement is the Pope making in these selections? (Bishop Cupich’s response was “”I think [Francis’] priority isn’t to send a ‘message,’ but a bishop.”) This stuff does matter! Take some time and check out these background reports.
- Ahhhh, there is church stuff and then modern culture! Alex Johannigman takes on All About that Bass while Scott Miller considers this Sunday’s Family Guy / Simpson crossover.
Sometimes stuff gets overwhelming and procrastination takes over. (Been there!) Break the pattern.
- Don’t put off registering (free!) for the Rebuild My Church video conference, coming up Oct. 2nd. Also, get you vote in for your favorite catholic speaker.
- The title image (above)? A hotel maid race carrying many towels in a copetition… Randomly beautiful. Our poster meme? Another randomly beautiful image, was built from the Fall 2014 edition of Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education. (right click to print, save, or post it and share!)
- Speaking of writing on your arm, I always like the Youth Specialties’ Ideas Lab. Here’s a great one on Using Sharpies in youth ministry (Yeah… permanent markers!)
- Continuing the fine arts section of this post, Father Robert Barron recommends that our efforts with evangelization “start with beauty.” In that vein, Michael Hyatt offers 5 Ways to Get More Art into Your Life.
- Always remember, it is written in our hearts that we appreciate the beauty of your service as a youth minister and Ain’t got nothing but love, babe, eight days a week.