Stepping through fear into the unfamiliar: Judy Bowman and the Eastern Metro Youth (EMU) group

Judy Bowman noticed a problem. She looked around the youth group she coordinates monthly for the Knox congregation, and realised there was something missing.

“I looked at our youth… we’re very small and I don’t feel there’s a lot of young people coming after.”

Judy works part time for the Parish ministry team at Ringwood-Knox, and the passion she holds for the youth ministry in her congregation is clear in conversation with her. She regularly welcomes around 10 teenagers at their Friday night youth group meetings, but numbers are inconsistent and church attendance is often low.

“Many of the youth that we have just don’t come to church anymore,” she explains. “They do from time to time, but I’ve noticed that once they finish Sunday School, and they get into secondary school, they don’t necessarily come to church.”

Judy is compassionate. She understands that teenagers don’t see people their own age at church, and that life gets busy quickly with school and sporting commitments. The Parish is small, and already stretching the capacity of their youth program resources.

This is the same problem that Abbie Gargett and Pastor Sue Westhorp from the St Paul’s congregation in Box Hill set out to tackle in late 2025, when they sent an email to leaders at local congregations suggesting a combined regional youth group- a space for youth across many congregations to come together, share a meal and a devotion, and spend time meeting new people and making new connections. The idea was well received, and planning began earlier this year.

From the start, this was a new experience for all involved. The team included leaders from Box Hill, Ringwood-Knox, Nunawading-Waverley, LCA Vic-Tas District Office, and Ignite (Luther College). They met on Zoom and communicated by email, and the Eastern Metro Youth (EMU) group quickly came into fruition.

Judy was excited about the project. “It was an opportunity to develop more leadership, and for so

mething to be happening for our youth in our church.”

There were logistical questions to be answered. The group decided that their events would be hosted monthly on Saturday nights at the Nunawading Lutheran Church. Judy recognised it would be an additional time commitment for her, but had no hesitation in working towards something she felt would be so valuable to local congregations. Combining the resources available across the Eastern Metro region was a decision aimed at relieving pressure from individual congregations, and congregations would be able to take turns at running the events each month.

As plans for the EMU group developed, Judy raised the idea with her youth group at Knox. She explained her surprise at initial hesitation from the group.

“I think they were comfortable doing what we were doing.”

The prospect of stepping out of the familiar youth group space to meet new people and form new connections was, understandably, daunting. Judy encouraged her group to think of the program as a compromise that would allow them to maintain connection with the local youth group they already know and enjoy, and to also gain new experiences and opportunities in a new setting. She noted a high level of support from parents in her congregation and was hopeful for positive engagement with the EMU group.

EMU held their first event last month, a Christmas in July gathering held on the last weekend of the month. Judy tells me she was beside herself with anxiety during the week leading up to the event. There was so much unknown. It was a new group, in a location unknown to Judy, and, unfortunately, only a few of her usual youth group were able to attend. Judy admits she was apprehensive as the event loomed on the calendar.

However, as Judy saw on that Saturday night, the event was a success. “I felt very positive afterwards… I drove home thinking ‘wow! That was much better than I was expecting!'”

Judy tells me a particular story that has stuck with her from the evening. Not only had she been concerned about low attendance, but those who usually attended Judy’s youth group were worried about attending a new group with few familiar faces. This, I think, is a feeling we can all recognise- it is much easier walking into a room full of friends than strangers! When it looked like only a small handful of the Knox youth group would be able to attend the EMU event, Judy was worried that they would not enjoy the evening, or even that they would decide not to attend themselves.

However, despite these concerns, one of Judy’s usual youth group attendees decided to invite a friend from school. On arriving and realising that nearly the entire group in attendance was unfamiliar, Judy says, “[his] face just dropped.” Judy’s genuine hope that the boys would be able to have a positive experience at the event was evident, even weeks later.

But the pair soon settled in, and Judy saw that “these two boys had a really good night. They really enjoyed it. I was so grateful.”

Judy reflects on this as “a God moment”. She recalls her anxiety leading up to the event, and how ultimately, she learned that even though the event wasn’t “perfect”, there was so much positivity that came out of it.

“Providing a safe space for our young people to gather and meet, and be together and to learn… God will work through whatever we do. And [you don’t need] to be anxious about it”.

The team is pragmatic, and already reflecting on changes they can make for the next event. But overall, Judy remains positive about the opportunity the group presents as a sustainable way to bring young people together and provide them with an ongoing, reliable program which allows them to take ownership of their faith and their community.

“If, for instance, we can’t continue to run a youth program, I know there is a place where they can continue to gather. That’s what I would like to see. I don’t know how it will develop but that’s my hope, and I think the hope of people in the in the congregations in the Eastern regions… [is] that we would have a sustainable youth presence and program for our young people to go to.”

Judy’s experience with the EMU group over the last seven months has been a learning curve for both her and the youth in her congregation. But her story sheds light on ways the Lutheran Church is finding new ways to come together in ministry, acknowledging the anxiety and hesitation that naturally comes along with that. The EMU group has had its road bumps, and is very aware of the ways they can improve on their first event. But the positivity of the team and their excitement for moving forward with the project is driving something special within our Church. With a touch of innovation and the courage to work through the unknown, the EMU group is establishing itself as an inspirational lesson for us all.

The next EMU meeting is scheduled for Saturday 29 August at the Nunawading Lutheran Church. If you are interested in learning more about the EMU group, you are encouraged to reach out to your local youth leader.