UMTV Brief

UMTV Web Brief #35 1/15/03 –

Teen Angels Intro:

Welcome to UMTV’s Web Brief; I’m Reed Galin.

Ah, the teenage years – a challenging time for kids and parents alike. I’m certainly looking forward to it. But new research shows that there may be some ways, though, to ease the angst – ways adults may have been overlooking. More and more studies are showing that kids between the ages of 13 and 18 are actually very interested in things spiritual, and nurturing that curiosity can make a difference in how they live their lives.

Teen Angels Story:

Today’s “millennial generation” is the largest generation in American history.

75 percent have a TV in their rooms; 35 percent also have computers, but their apparent interest in something beyond the reach of technology intrigues Dr. Christian Smith.

Christian Smith, sociologist, UNC, Chapel Hill: “Forty percent of teenagers go to religious services and about a third say religion is very important in their lives.”

Dr. Smith is studying the influence of spirituality on teens. He is at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Smith: “The more seriously religious 12^th-graders are, the more positive outcomes they have in their lives – the less they argue with parents, the less they get into trouble at school, the less they’re drinking and taking drugs.”

Kristen Gwock, 14-year-old: “A lot of the people at my church, like, I can talk to and they’ll listen to what I have to say and they won’t make fun of me.”

All of this makes perfect sense to United Methodist family therapist Brenda Dew.

Dr. Brenda Dew, family therapist: “They are building up their moral conscience of what’s right and what’s wrong, and what will hurt them and what will not hurt them. And so, if I feel good about myself, I don’t have to take a drug for fun. I don’t have to go out and get drunk. I can stand up and make choices that are good choices for me.”

The sense of a safe haven, of shared values, seems to be key.

Dr. Smith: “It could be that adolescents that take a longer view of life are more religiously involved and that shapes different outcomes in their lives.”

This is not necessarily a blueprint for keeping teens on track, but some parents may find the study’s results encouraging as they face the challenges of the teen years.

Teen Angels Tag:

In contrast to the previous two generations, millennial teenagers are more supportive of traditional mainline denominations and tend to take a more active role in church. Another telling trend: In 1990, U.S. high schools had few prayer circles or clubs. Today, more than 10,000 exist.

Sunset Service Intro:

The more we develop our environment, the more we appreciate the beauty of the natural world, it seems. That irony is not lost on Orange County, Calif., one of the fastest growing areas of the country. A United Methodist pastor there found, on the edge of the Pacific, an always-inspiring event he just had to honor, free to anyone who would stop to watch.

Sunset Service Story:

For beachgoers, there’s a moment just before sunset when the light and sky become magic.

Louise Okey: “I think it’s really an emotional thing to watch the sunset.”

A moment so profound, people stop to watch.

Berit Johnson: “I’ve always been drawn to the beach. There is something very calming and relaxing.”

Steve Isenman knows that feeling of peace.

Pastor Steve Isenman: “And it struck me, particularly as a Christian, what a powerful devotional moment that was and what a wonderful opportunity it would be to point that out to people.”

About a half-hour before sunset, this United Methodist pastor and other church volunteers hand out fliers with a psalm printed on the front and a few words of reflection.

Natsound: “Let’s all read Psalm 65 together …”

Then, with the sunset as their backdrop, the group gathers on the pier to mark the end of a day.

Pastor Steve Isenman: “I think in putting ourselves in touch with creation, it helps us also to be in touch with the Creator.”

Byler Brinker: “We hope to show people that we care about them and that we can convince some of them maybe to come to our church or somebody else’s church.”

Nat sound: “And Lord, as we hear the pounding surf and witness the beautiful sunset …”

These seaside devotions are meant to celebrate a moment so inspiring, it brings people closer together.

Louise Okey: “Anything in nature – a sunset, a sunrise, a rainbow – it warms your heart. You have to know where that’s coming from, you know. It’s not just accidental.”

Sunset Service Tag:

Church members say they don’t have to worry about the beachside sermon lasting too long. Sunset takes care of that.

Tease next week:

On the next UMTV Web Brief, one person’s trash is another’s treasure.

“It’s a very simple ring, but the value is terrific.”

Thanks for watching. Make it a good week.