Young crowd
In Germany , the Jungschar is the work for children between about 9 and 13 years of age from various Christian associations such as CVJM , FeG , EC , BESJ , Evangelical Society , EFG , EmK or EJW . Their logo is mostly the anchor cross , which was designed by Hans Klopfer in 1920.
In Austria and South Tyrol , the Katholische Jungschar Austria and the Katholische Jungschar South Tyrol are the children's organization of the Catholic Church for children between 8 and 14 years. Founded in 1947, in 2009 it counted 99,000 children as members who are led in local groups by 11,200 group leaders. The ABÖJ forms the free church youth group in Austria.
In Switzerland , the Jungschar is a term used for the child labor of various (free) church and interdenominational youth associations such as Bund Evangelischer Schweizer Jungscharen (BESJ), JEMK (Jungschar EMK ( Evangelical Methodist Church ) Switzerland) or the CEVI (Swiss Association of Christian Associations Young women and men ( YMCA , YWCA )). The Catholic children and youth association Jungwacht Blauring is independent and apart from the similar name ( Jungwacht ) has nothing to do with the young crowd.
Germany
YMCA young crowd
Usually boys and girls meet in their own groups so that the needs of the children can be met. But there are also mixed groups of youngsters, especially in smaller towns with few children.
The following words are the guiding principle for the German YMCA youths, some of which are spoken together in a circle after the group lesson:
- Jesus Christ wants to be the Lord of my life.
- He loves me even when I make mistakes.
- I want to listen to his word.
- I trust that Jesus will help me
- loyal and honest, happy and reliable,
- to be companionable and ready to serve.
- The following should apply to my life:
- With Jesus Christ "Brave Ahead"
In the Bundische Jungscharen (YMCA-Westbund) still apply the Jungschar target sentences of Reichsjungscharwart Walter Schinzer:
- As a young student I want to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
- I want to listen to his word every day and ask him
- that he helps me live by it.
- I want to be obedient and loyal at home
- truthful and hardworking in school
- and always companionable and ready to serve.
- My life is to belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The youth groups say goodbye at the end of the youth group hour with the youth group greeting "Young group with Jesus Christ brave ahead!"
At the beginning of the heyday of youth work, their current symbol, the anchor cross, was created. A member of the YMCA, Hans Klopfer, designed it on behalf of the Stuttgart Jungscharführer ring. In 1920 it became the badge of the Stuttgart crowd. In the same year, the "Reich Association of Evangelical Young Men 's Associations and Related Endeavors" decided to introduce the anchor cross as a badge for the members of all young men in the Reich Association.
Mini young flock
Mini-young flocks are young flocks with a few boys or girls.
Children's groups
For the younger (approx. 6-8 years old) boys and girls there is a range of children's groups.
Young group of the community youth work (GJW) of the Federation of Evangelical Free Churches
The guiding principle of the young flock groups of the GJW is the young flock promise:
- I want to get to know Jesus Christ
- to follow him, “firmly and faithfully”.
- I want to listen to God's word and try
- to live accordingly, "firmly and faithfully".
- I want to help our youth group to have a joyful Christian community
- in which friendship and comradeship are possible, "firm and faithful".
- It remains: "Firm and loyal".
When saying goodbye, the young crowd traditionally stands in a circle, the right hand grabs the left hand of the left neighbor and ends the hour with a prayer.
Many youth groups offer summer camps and overnight weekends to promote the community of youth groups and employees with God.
Association of Evangelical Free Churches
The young groups of Baptists mostly use the farewell greeting “Goodbye with Fest und Treu”, whereby a circle is first formed by each placing his right arm over his left and taking the neighbor by the hand. The hands are let go at the word “loyal”.
Young groups in the Evangelical Youth Organization in Württemberg (EJW)
Young groups, which are supported by the respective parish of the regional church, are usually held in smaller places. The coordination lies with the respective district youth organization (EJW). In the youth group, the 8 to 14 year old children on average are taught the basics of the Bible in a playful way, pray together and try to bring them closer to the faith. But games and activities are also a regular part of the program. The youth group is usually led by volunteers from the respective parish. The motto of the young crowd is: Brave forward with Jesus Christ!
Young flocks in the German EC Association (EC)
The goal of the work with children and young people in the EC is: "Jesus loves children - that's why children should get to know Jesus". This is done through school assignments, project work, road and playground assignments, leisure time, children's Bible days, children's lessons and youth charter days, which are organized and supported either directly on site or by the regional associations and the EC association.
Young crowd in the Catholic Church
Jungschar was the name of the groups of 13 to 14 year old boys within the Catholic Sturmschar , from 1930 the Catholic Youth Association of Germany . In 1938, the association, including all sub-divisions, was banned by the National Socialists, and on February 6, 1939, it was dissolved across the empire.
Austria
Catholic Young Group Austria (KJSÖ)
The Catholic youth group is responsible for the extracurricular church child labor and part of the Catholic Action , the lay movement of the church. In addition to the commitment in the parish children's groups and the support of altar boys and girls, the Catholic youth group, as a lobby group, is primarily committed to upholding children's rights. In 1955 a donation and relief campaign was launched with the Dreikönigsaktion .
Working Group of Bible-Oriented Austrian Youth (ABÖJ)
The ABÖJ is the network of free church congregations in Austria that offer a youth group. The Jungschar groups are extracurricular leisure activities by free churches and Protestant parishes for children and young people aged 6 to 16 years.
Switzerland
Federation of Protestant Swiss Youths (BESJ)
The BESJ is mainly active in German-speaking Switzerland. The BESJ work is an extracurricular leisure activity offered by free churches and regional Protestant churches for children and teenagers from 6 to 16 years of age. As a youth association, it focuses on work among young people in the three age groups Ameisli, Jungschar and Teenie. Sports groups are also affiliated to the association. Various computer clubs have recently also existed at the BESJ . Through holistic care, which takes mind, soul and body into account, the participants should be encouraged in their development into independent personalities.
As a vision / mission, the BESJ states:
- All children and young people in Switzerland have the opportunity to hear the Gospel in such a way that they can choose Jesus and are encouraged to become disciples. (after Matthew 28: 18-20)