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A monthly newsletter to highlight ministries, news, and events at First Pres

JANUARY 2019
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
Meeting in the Middle   Emmaus Communities   Do Justice Day of Service
 Linking Lives Women's Conference   This Week At First Pres   Calendar

Dear Friends, 

During my sabbatical last year, in reflection on almost ten years of ministry at First Pres, my thoughts immediately went to the blessings and joys of working with such a wonderful staff of men and women.  In addition, I am ever grateful to serve with such a dedicated and talented group of young adults on staff. It is in that same spirit of gratitude that I welcome the opportunity of Tori Bommarito joining our staff working with the young adult community.  

In 2018, did you know that nearly half of the 140 Connect Cards we received indicated interest in Young Adult Ministries? This generation is important for the future of our church and it is exciting that the number of interested young adults is growing at First Pres.

I believe Tori’s gifts in leadership, experiences in church and para-church ministry and her calling as a follower of Jesus Christ will significantly impact an increasing number of young adults who are becoming part of the First Pres community. Pray for Tori and our young adult community as they seek to be part of the mission of God here at First Pres.

Rev. Mark Stryker
Associate Pastor for Christian Formation

First Pres Young Adults taking part in Do Justice day of service at Cityteam–Oakland.
Raising Up Leaders in Young Adult Ministries
By Ellie Bozmarova

Young Adult Ministries is active and growing at First Pres. With the arrival of new Young Adult Ministries Coordinator Tori Bommarito, the congregation can anticipate—and participate in—more opportunities to connect with this ministry!

Young Adult Ministries is an organic, relational group of individuals learning the meaning of adulthood in a Christian community and getting support as they gain life experience. Shannon Mueller, an upcoming co-leader of the Young Adult Community Group, found Young Adult Ministries to be the answer to her Bay Area Challenges: “As a Christian living in Berkeley, it was difficult for me to find a community of young people my age that I could relate to on both an emotional and spiritual level. However, I soon found this type of community in my Young Adult community group.”

Most young adults (typically ages twenty-two to thirty-five or older) join one of two main Community Groups. These groups—Young Young Adults and Young Adults—serve those who’ve recently graduated college and those who have had a few years of career or graduate education experience. But age markers aren’t the only indicator that Young Adult Ministries is a good fit.

Tori, who is a young adult herself, explains it this way, “Especially here in the Bay Area and so close to the university, so many more of us are pursuing advanced degrees and are not married, or having kids, or buying houses at the same ages that older generations might have. We’re reaching markers of adulthood at different ages, so, we’re redefining what it looks like to be an adult...It’s not so much marked by age as it is marked by development of our own spiritual maturity and our contributing to the wider body of Christ.” 









 


Calling All Young Adults!  
 Click here to get involved

Throughout the year, young adults participate in Vesper Choir (formerly College and Young Adult Choir, known as CAYAC), Do Justice day of service, the All-Church Conference, retreats, and Community Groups (see the photo of young adult first-timers at ACC below). Many people who start in Young Adult Ministries lead projects or are called to serve as Elders, Deacons, and on other committees as they put down roots in the Bay.

Esther Cho’s commitment to First Pres is rooted in Young Adult (YA) Ministries: “The YA community has been an anchor to my life and leadership in the church. Knowing that there are other YAs in CT (the Community Team, or greeting team on Sunday mornings) has inspired me to serve in this capacity. Seeing the specific needs of the church through the YA perspective and recognizing the importance of the YA voice at First Pres had motivated me to accept the invitation to join the Interim Pastor Search Committee in 2017.”

What is the personal significance for getting involved with Young Adult Ministries? Jason Gorski answered,“The YA community at First Pres has been a source of deep support and encouragement as well as just plain fun. Both Mindy (Phillips) and myself have found small groups through the YA community that I would say are essential for living our best lives.”

Tori’s role is to equip and support budding Young Adult leaders as they hear God’s call to dive deeper into what’s going on in and outside the First Pres community. “We have such great young adult leaders already. It’s been really great to just talk with people who have already been leading and to get a sense for where we’re going. These people are great, and I’m sure there are other awesome people out there and I’m excited to meet them. There’s a lot in the works at the moment both for young adults and for the church at large,” she says. Tori is also available to pray with young adults, discuss theological questions, and talk with them about how they are looking to grow in their journey with God, whether through small groups or wider church involvement. To get involved, email Tori at torib@fpcberkeley.org.
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This is a member and regular attender communication from First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. 

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First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley · 2407 Dana Street · Berkeley, California 94704 · USA

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