MYA Guide | Maronite Young Adult

Have an MYA Meeting

Prepare for a Meeting

Priest communicates with the young adult president to see when a meeting can be held.
Discuss and plan the details of the meeting with the help of the MYA president and other young adults who offer to help.
Create an agenda and a flyer to share to the members.
When the meeting begins follow your agenda to stay on schedule.
Plan to have food at the meeting, everyone loves snacks and pizza!

Create Meeting Agenda

Opening Prayer - Can be from the heart, otherwise Hail Mary or Our Father is just as powerful!
Take a group picture!
Introduce yourselves to each other if there are new members.
Icebreaker activity if needed.
Agenda topics
Closing Prayer - Can also be from the heart, otherwise Hail Mary or Our Father is just as powerful!
Remind attendees of the next meeting date.

Meeting Roles

MC - Someone to keep the meeting going at a steady pace and on track with the agenda, usually the President.
Secretary - Take note of attendance and notes throughout the meeting
Volunteer for Opening and Closing prayer - can be one person for both or two different people.
Priest/Moderator

Tips

Store your agendas on Google Drive, or somewhere easily accessible to those who need to refer to it later.
Bring food!

Prepare for a Meeting

Advertise/Communication

Announcements about forming a MYA Group from the pulpit.
Bulletin announcements, share on Facebook, social media (Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, email parishioners informing them of the intention to start a MYA group at the parish)
Welcome as many young adults as possible and let them know that you as their pastor are interested in them and forming a group for them to meet their needs.
Create an information list and gather the name, age, email, and cellphone number, of young adults, inviting them to form a MYA group.
Be aware of MYO members who are transitioning into the MYA age group (18-35 yrs).
Select two or three young adults who could potentially help coordinate and form the MYA.
Do not get discouraged as it takes time to build a solid group.
Meet at least once a month (minimum) and have a consistent schedule.
Inform people ahead of time, at least two weeks in advance, of events and meetings.
Encourage the MYA Board at your parish to meet at least every 6 months to make a schedule for the monthly events & meetings for the future.
It is imperative to have a schedule of planned events (suggested 3 - 6 months in advance) which is promoted among the young adults, through email, social media, text messages, flyers, etc.

In creating a MYA board the following roles are suggested

President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Event Coordinator
Moderator/Minister (it can be a lay person who is not in the MYA age range and who can offer spiritual support and guidance to the MYA)

Examples of Events/meetings/activities: (Social , Service, Spiritual)

Theology Discussions with Bonfire “Theology On Fire”
Bible Study - Dinner at the parish
Adoration and Rosary followed by refreshments
Friendsgiving - Potluck with MYA
Hike, Bowling, Karaoke etc.
Movie Night, Paint Night
Service Projects
- Visiting Elderly, Christmas Caroling, Wrapping Gifts,
- Giving Tree, Food Drive, Feed the homeless.
Attend Local events in community
- Festivals, Entertainment, Museums

It is vital that meetings are held whether there are 2 or 20 people.
Whatever dates or events, meetings are set and must be held.
Inconsistency leads to loss of interest in group
Ensure that the group stays relevant by hearing the voices/opinions of MYA members in the parish.
Promote Involvement in Regional and National meetings and events to help local MYA groups keep in touch with surrounding MYA groups, to bond and share ideas.
Never stop recruitment, always look for new members!!
The MYA Board needs to delegate to ensure that everyone is taking part in their role and responsibilities.
Having annual elections for the MYA Board to allow others to have a chance to be Involved in a leadership capacity.
Continued Promotion from the altar, in the bulletin, social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat)

Keep in contact with surrounding MYA groups by hosting a regional MYA retreat at your church. This could be a retreat day or weekend.
Inviting and encouraging MYA members to be involved in parish operations; for example having a role in the Divine Liturgy, Parish Council, Church Events
Host a monthly young adult Liturgy inviting the young adults from the surrounding parishes to attend and socialize after the Liturgy.
These are not the only ideas or ways in which one can form, sustain, and grow a MYA group.