The Elizabeth City District Christian Education Department held our annual "Praise and Paint" Christmas Ornament event on October 14, 2023, at Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church, where the Pastor is Rev. L. Shawni Basnight.
We were blessed to have 40 attendees, and each had an opportunity to paint some beautiful Christmas ornaments with designs of their choosing, as seen in the pictures below, compliments of our VICYC Public Relations coordinator, Kai Henry.
Prior to the painting segment, we received a wonderful word based on our theme, "GENERATION NOW," from our Albemarle Conference VICYC President Sister Iasia Collier. She truly spoke from the heart and inspired all of us to regard the youth and young adults as vital, intricate components of our ministries all across Zion. Below is a portion of her message:
The youth, often referred to as the "torchbearers" or "next generation," play an integral role in shaping the future of our church. Here are a few compelling reasons why this is the case:
Young people bring with them a boundless energy and enthusiasm that infuses vitality into our community. The passion for worship, service, and outreach activities is contagious, inspiring others to join in and contribute to the church's growth.
The youth are more in touch with modern culture and technology than any other generation. This inherent understanding of the world's dynamics makes them well-equipped to adapt the church's practices, outreach, and communication methods to reach a broader audience.
Today's young people are passionate about social justice, equality, and compassion. They hold values that align closely with the core teachings of our faith. Their dedication to making the world a better place is a testament to the strength of their moral convictions.
To harness the potential of our youth and ensure they truly become the future of the church, it is our responsibility to provide them with guidance, opportunities, and a welcoming environment within our faith community. We should encourage their involvement, listen to their ideas, and empower them to take on leadership roles.
The involvement of young people in the church is not about replacing the older generation but uniting generations. Together, the wisdom, experience, and stability of older members and the energy, vision, and innovation of the youth create a harmonious blend that ensures the church's sustainability.
As we look forward, we need to remember that young people are not just the future of the church; they are an essential part of our present. We need to continue to support and nurture them on their spiritual journey. If we do not support our youth, they will go away, and we will not have any youth to carry the torch after we are gone. I look around today, and it upsets me as I look around, and I am the only person my age in the church. It should not be this way, and we need to make a change. This generation is not only the future of the church, but it is the now of the church. We need to stop worrying about the little things and focus on bringing in more youth. We need to put as much focus on bringing young people back into the church as we do in paying our assessments.
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