Youth Ministry

The Youth Community Covenant is based on Romans 12:10, with an emphasis on respect. We take it very seriously as it is our standard for behavior and our guide to handling any situations that might arise.

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” – Romans 12:10

Participating in Youth Ministry events and activities is a privilege. Participants and adult volunteers are encouraged to enter fully and cooperatively into community life. The Youth Community Covenant was created with Romans 12:10 in mind and focuses on respect. Standards 1-7 are ideals toward which we strive. Standards 8-12 are non-negotiable and will be enforced on a zero-tolerance basis; if these standards are violated, the violator will be sent home at the expense of the parent/guardian.

1. Respect the other participants and their property
2. Respect whoever is speaking.
3. Respect the adult leaders.
4. Respect the event staff.
5. Respect the people encountered at the event.
6. Respect myself.
7. Agree to remain with the group during activities-An absolute!
8. I agree not to commit acts of theft or violence.
9. I agree not to be involved in bullying- Youth events should be a safe space!
10. I agree not to use or possess any tobacco, alcohol, marijuana or illegal drugs.
11. I agree not to bring or use fireworks, firearms, or any other kind of weapons while at this event.
12. I accept that sexual behavior is not tolerated, this includes public displays of affection (i.e. holding hands, excessive hugging, kissing, sitting on laps- and anything else that is seen as crossing a line of sexually inappropriate behavior.)

The Diocese of West Missouri is committed to providing a safe environment in which each person is respected, valued and honored as one who has been created in the image and likeness of God.  As people of faith and members of the Church we are called to embody and advance God’s mission by living our lives in ways that reflect the Gospel teachings of Jesus and are consistent with the vows made in our baptismal covenant to seek and serve Christ in all people and to respect the dignity of every human being. As such the Diocese is committed to the prevention, reporting and addressing of abuse or neglect of any kind. The abuse of anyone entrusted to our care is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

In 2022 an entirely new safeguarding curriculum called “Safe Church, Safe Communities” was introduced based on the policy above to replace the “Safeguarding God’s People” and “Safeguarding God’s Children” modules that were developed in the 1990’s. The new curriculum includes the following modules:

• Introduction and Theological Background
• Organizational Rules and Policies
• Inclusion
• Healthy Boundaries
• Power & Relationships
• Pastoral Relationships
• Abuse and Neglect
• Bullying
• Mandated Reporter
• Keeping your Overnight Camp Safe (required for those who chaperone any overnight event)
• Preventing Sexual Harassment for Workers (required for paid youth ministry employees)

The following policy was adopted by the Diocesan Council of The Diocese of West Missouri in June of 2024 and enacted by the Bishop on July 25, 2024 with immediate effect. For the purposes of work with Children and Youth the public records checks required by Section IV of this policy shall be updated at least every five years.

The Book of Common Prayer states on page 412 that “In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism.” Confirmation is that rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.

The sacramental rite of Confirmation is not something that should be undertaken lightly but only after prayer, reflection, and preparation. When, after prayer and reflection someone feels like they are ready to take ownership of their faith and be confirmed, the resources on this page are here to help priests, youth ministers, and volunteers prepare those wanting to receive Confirmation to deepen their understanding of the faith and their responsibilities as Christians.

The bishop does not have a minimum age requirement for a confirmation candidate. Their policy is that they trust those preparing someone for confirmation to know whether or not the person is ready, regardless of their age.

Diocesan Confirmation Materials

• Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation Policy
• Diocesan Confirmation Guidebook

• The Discovery Series: A Christian Journey – A resource developed by The Diocese of Texas
• Sealed and Sent Forth 
• My Faith, My Life
• Pilgrim: A Course for the Christian Journey 

Confirmation Retreats 

The Youth Ministry Office is available to help organize regional day-long confirmation retreats for those preparing to receive this sacramental rite and affirm their baptismal covenant. Our hope is that The Youth Ministry Commission can provide resources to plan that will complement and enhance the preparation done at the parish level by providing time and space away from the pressures of everyday life for intentional prayer, reflection, and conversation about what we believe and what it means to live out those beliefs in the world with others undergoing the same preparation around the diocese. To learn more about these resources, reach out to us.

The diocese does not want money to prohibit anyone from attending a youth event.

All diocesan youth events are budgeted to “break even”. The ideal model for families with financial need is that the parish provides a 1/3 scholarship, the diocese provides a 1/3 scholarship, and the family pays for 1/3 of the registration fee. In cases of extreme family need, the diocese can give up to a half scholarship if there are matching funds from the parish. If the parish is not able to provide funds, the rector can request a full scholarship on behalf of the student by contacting the Discipleship Team at wemoyouth@diowestmo.org.

We recommend you begin by contacting your rector or youth minister to ask for assistance from your parish. If you would like to request a diocesan scholarship, please apply using the 2025 Scholarship Request form.

There is also a plethora of fundraising ideas that can be done either with a group (if your parish has a youth group) or on your own to help raise funds for youth events.

If you would like to donate towards making scholarship funds available for youth events, that would be very much appreciated! You may submit donations checks made payable to “The Diocese of West Missouri” and mailed to the diocesan office. Please note in the memo: Youth Ministry Donation.

Attn: Ron Weil
420 West 14th Street,
Kansas City, MO 64105

• Episcopal Handbook by Morehouse Publishing
• Almost Christian by Kenda Creasy Dean
• My Faith My Life by Jennifer Gamber and Lisa Kimball
• Best-Ever Games by Les Christie
• Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry by Doug Fields
• Sustainable Youth Ministry by Mark DeVries
• Crazy Christians by Former Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry

• Faith At Home is delivered straight to your inbox as a collection of lectionary-based readings and reflections for families and friends to explore together around the table or on the go.
• My Faith, My Life, a website for Episcopal teens to explore their faith and learn more about the Episcopal church.
• Forward Movement’s Daily Devo: Devotions for Families.
• Lent Madness learn about saints and then vote to decide which one earns the Golden Halo.
• D365 daily devotions especially written for youth and young adults.
• Center for Parent/Youth Understanding helps parents, youth workers, educators, pastors and others understand and reach today’s youth culture.

• New Standard Revised Version “as literal as possible” in adhering to ancient texts
• The Message (The Bible in Contemporary Language)
• Inspire Bible (The Bible for coloring and creative journaling)
• The Story (The bible in chronological order, in novel form)

• Ministry to Youth offers many free resources on a variety of timely, relevant topics.
• Youth Ministry 360 is a Gospel-Centered & Bible-Based Curriculum.
• VTS Episcopal Curriculum for Youth is a thematic program developed by the Center for the Ministry of Teaching under the direction of Dr. Amy Gearey Dyer.
• Confirm not Conform is a confirmation program that celebrates questions and choices and provides a safe space for people to explore the breath of the Christian Tradition.
• The Discovery Series is a program developed by the Diocese of Texas designed to help every Christian discover their own path to a life in Christ.
• I Believe: Confirmation for the 21st Century is a two-year program that combines classroom learning with opportunities to encounter Christ in their lives and the lives of others.
• Pilgrim: A Course for the Christian Journey is a teaching and discipleship resource that helps inquirers and new Christians explore what it means to travel through life with Christ.
• Sealed and Sent Forth is a confirmation program that examines what it means to be a Christain and an Episcopalian and invites participants to explore what a particular Christian community does and means.
• Journey to Adulthood (J2A) is a complete youth ministry program of Christian formation for 6th-12th grades.
• My Faith, My Life is the everything-you-need-to-know guide to the Episcopal Church. Easy to read but with substance for anyone who desires to know more about their church.