As we look to the start of the school year, many of us prepare in tangible ways: buying & sharpening our new pencils, labeling notebooks, making sure we have covered all of the necessary items on our checklist for a successful school year. The members of the Shenkel youth group have also started planning for the coming 9 months and have asked me to be the Director of Youth Ministry to get things rolling! I am honored & delighted to step into this role – even more so after I had the opportunity to meet & talk with some youth members and adults recently.
I come to this position with a passion for youth ministry. I grew up as the daughter of two very capable youth leaders (my parents are Rev. Homer & Susan Royer). I was empowered through my own youth group to be a leader in the church and community. I credit my years in youth group for my organizational, leadership, & people skills. I have taken those tools with me into my post-youth group life, especially in my travels of studying abroad in high school & college. As a Culture & Communication major in college, with a concentration in the Middle East, I studied cultural and cross-religious dialogue. Youth group also ignited my passions for social justice, environmental conservation, & music.
As a ―"pk"(pastor’s kid), I have grown up in the church & am active in the national setting of the United Church of Christ as a member of the Wider Church Ministries board of directors. As a board, we oversee the UCC’s global and domestic mission efforts, another area of the Church that I am particularly passionate about. Serving on this board is another bridge I can help to build between the youth and the wider United Church of Christ.
I am excited to start working with the members in Shenkel’s youth group – I believe we will be able to match our strengths, interests, & experiences extraordinary well. Furthermore, I am eager to be acquainted with more of you! So please introduce yourselves- I look forward to meeting you!
With gratitude & anticipation
Ariel Royer