Community and connection thrive
in parish 20's and 30's groups

By NICOLE SEIFERTH

Many parishes in the diocese have ministries that appeal to young adults, who are as varied in their interests and lifestyles as any other age group. In suburban parishes, it is often family ministries that attract people in their 20’s and 30’s, as those with young children are drawn by the variety of family-oriented activities, classes and support offered. In urban areas throughout the diocese, family ministries play an important role in the lives of young adults, but there is also a growing movement of young adult groups.

These 20’s/30’s groups, as they are often called, take forms that are unique to each parish’s need, but what they have in common is an age-specific ministry seeking to draw young adults into community with one another and into the larger life of the church.

The Congregation of St. Savior at the Cathedral convened its “20/30 Connection” in the spring of 2004. As the name suggests, the group strives to connect young parishioners with one another and with the larger parish.
Matthew Pritchard, who serves as the social outreach coordinator for the group, says, “[The group] acts as a gateway for people of that age group to integrate themselves into our community and into a larger communion with our church.”

Their group activities, which are coordinated by lay and clergy organizers, range from social events to participating in social outreach with the Cathedral.

Trinity, Fishkill, which already has a number of young families involved in its parish, recently hosted its first event for young adults with a Sunday barbeque. Trinity’s rector, the Rev. Sr. Jean Campbell, OSH, sees young adults’ ministry as not only attracting new people, but continuing relationships that began when parishioners are children. Cheryl Urquhart, a 20-something member of Trinity, is an example of that philosophy at work. Urquhart grew up in the parish and, after a move to Pennsylvania for college, has returned to Trinity to be involved as an adult member.

“Trinity has been such an important part of my life,” she said. “I wanted the opportunity to give some of my time and talents to the church. I recently decided I wanted to take a more active role in the church, so starting in September I will be the co-director of the Sunday School Program.”
St. Bartholomew’s, Manhattan, has boasted some form of young adult ministry for decades, beginning with the parish’s Community Club in the 1920’s. The present incarnation is the 20s/30s Group, which is lead by young laypeople who plan events ranging from fellowship to spiritual formation and social outreach. The group often attracts young people who are not only new to St. Bart’s, but new to New York as well. Building a strong sense of community within the group is a priority; so there is usually
at least one event of some kind planned each week.

“20s/30s groups work best when they prove a supportive environment from which young people can go out and find their niche within the community,” said Pete Jordan, who serves as one of two spiritual formation chairs for the group. In his work, he aims to facilitate “activities that make young people feel welcome while providing them with opportunities for growth and spiritual development.”

“While faith is a life-long journey,” he said, “one’s 20’s and 30’s are particularly formative years, and so churches need to do whatever they can to communicate the Gospel to young discerning minds.”

Two congregations that are taking new steps in that direction are Trinity Wall Street and St. Michael’s, Manhattan. The Rev. Katharine Flexer recently joined the staff of St. Michael’s as associate priest and, among her other duties, will be working with the young adults in the congregation. St. Michael’s has a 20’s and 30’s group that meets regularly for bible study.
Allison Lutz, who is director for Congregational Development at Trinity and a parishioner there, was approached earlier this year by several young people in the congregation about beginning a 20’s and 30’s group for the parish. Lutz has found that, as the group has evolved over the past few months, that “it’s relationship-based, rather than program-based. People think young people are looking for flashy events and we’re actually looking for a place to connect deeply.”

Young adults groups can be found at other churches throughout the diocese, including St. James’, Grace and Epiphany, all in Manhattan. Many of these groups make a practice of joining together during the year for different events, and several diocesan-wide gatherings have occurred in the past few years. Examples include an annual Christmas party hosted by different parishes for the past three years and a Pentecost barbeque, sponsored this past May by the Cathedral group. Many group leaders hope to see those collaborative events and sense of area community grow.

To find out more about young adults groups in the diocese or to share the news about your parish’s young adult group or presence, email eny@dioceseny.org.

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