Fall IL/WI District Youth Retreat

When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me. —Matthew 25:31

The youth of IL/WI District will be working at the Northern Illinois Food Bank during District Conference weekend. They’ve asked the district people to make a donation of foods. Below is a list of most-needed food items (no glass jars please):

Peanut Butter, Canned Tuna/Chicken, Whole Grain Pasta and Rice, Cereal, Dried Beans,  Canned Fruits (in own juice), Canned vegetables, Reduced-Sodium Soup, Pasta Sauce

Please bring the food items with you when you register Friday night for district conference.

For mor information about the retreat, check www.cobyouth.org

2014 Fall District Youth Retreat - November 7-9

2014 Fall District Youth Retreat – Are You Hungry?
When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me - Matthew 25:31

November 7th through November 9th 2014

Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, Elgin Illinois 60123

When: Registration will begin at 7 pm on Friday Night. Retreat participants will be dismissed on Sunday around 11:45 AM. Note that District Conference will end on Saturday – please indicate if you will be picking up your youth on Saturday evening or on Sunday.

Who: Everyone currently in 9th through 12th grades during the 2014-2015 school year. Friends and advisors are welcome.

Where: The Church of the Brethren is located at 783 West Highland Avenue in Elgin Illinois. http://www.hacob.org/

Cost: $40 for youth – no charge for advisors. Make checks payable to “Illinois/Wisconsin District Youth” Please also bring a food donation for the Illinois Food Bank. Please check that the food has not expired as the food bank will not accept old food.

What to Bring: Bible, Games, Sleeping Bag, Snacks to share, Towel, and Work clothes.

Service Project Information - Northern Illinois Food Bank:

We recommend dressing comfortably and in layers – the warehouse can be chill. A T-Shirt with a Sweatshirt is a great combination. You will need close-toed shoes – sneakers or work boots work great. Long shorts or pants are part of the warehouse dress code.

You must have your parent sign the separate consent form for the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Registration Deadline: October 26th, 2014

Senior High Fall Retreat -- November 6-8, 2009
Naperville Illinois

Where: Naperville, Ill.; meet/register at the Illinois/Wisconsin District conference site, Naperville Church of the Brethren, 1020 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, Ill.

Who: All youth currently in 9th-12th grades, and advisors

Theme: "Simple Justice"

Fantastic Weekend: The fall district youth retreat was a fantastic weekend, with 28 youth and advisors representing eight congregations. David Radcliff of New Community Project led two sessions on the theme of "Simple Justice," helping the group consider how they interact with their neighbors and the “least of these” around the world. In addition, National Youth Conference coordinators Audrey Hollenberg and Emily LaPrade were on hand to lead two worship times. Saturday afternoon included a service project at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora. The evening was spent joining district conference for the international dinner and concert. Sunday morning everyone took part in one of the insight sessions and the closing worship. We’re grateful to the Naperville church for their generosity in hosting us for the weekend.

Leadership: David Radcliff is director of New Community Project, a Church of the Brethren-related nonprofit organization based in Elgin, Ill. David’s work focuses on justice issues, peace, and care for creation. David has led learning tours and worked on projects around the world as he seeks to make a difference.

Fall Retreat Wrapup

This fall's district senior high youth retreat, held during district conference in Peoria, focused on "The Pursuit of Peace." Marie Rhoades from On Earth Peace served as our resource leader for four sessions during the weekend.

Marie had the youth explore several passages of scripture, with a focus on thinking about who was the powerful and the powerless, the insiders and outsiders, in each story. We also considered what things lead to violence and what leads to peace.

The group of 20, representing seven congregations, was well hosted by a Covenant congregation near the Peoria Church of the Brethren. Youth joined the opening and closing worship services at the conference and also came over for the Andy and Terry Murray concert Saturday evening, serving up ice cream for the social time afterwards. Andy and Terry were kind enough to spend some time in a Q&A session with the group.

The rest of the weekend was spent eating, playing games, spending time in devotions and worship, and recreation at the River Center. (Thanks to Dana McNeil and the Peoria church for setting up our accommodations and the recreation/shower time!)

The spring retreat is tentatively scheduled for April 17-19 in the northwest part of the district. Watch for further details. Youth are also encouraged to consider participation in one of the Church of the Brethren summer workcamps (registration begins Jan. 5 at www.brethren.org) and the national youth Christian Citizenship Seminar on modern-day slavery, which will be April 25-30 in New York and Washington, D.C. (see www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/CCS.htm).

Source: December IL/WI District Newsletter

Senior High Fall Retreat -- November 7-9, 2008
Peoria Illinois

"Pursuing Peace"

Why is the Church of the Brethren a “Historic Peace Church”? What does that even mean? How did the Bible and our heritage shape those beliefs? And how do we live it out today when the world if full of so much violence? Come spend a full and fun weekend with friends exploring these questions along with time for games, recreation, music, good food, and more.

The details:

WHERE: Peoria Church of the Brethren, 4714 N. Sheridan Rd., Peoria, Ill.

WHEN: November 7-9, 2008.

LEADERSHIP: Marie Rhoades of On Earth Peace

WHAT: A weekend filled with fun, learning, worship, food, and time with
friends.

Senior High Fall Retreat -- November 2-4, 2007

"Encountering God On the Way"

• Do you long for a closer connection to your faith?
  
• Do you feel uncertain about the 'right' way to talk to God?
  
• Do you want some new tools to help you on your journey?

Then come to the year's fall Illinois/Wisconsin District Youth Retreat, November 2-4 in Freeport, IL!

It will feature special leadership by Seth Hendricks, music leader for the 2006 National Youth Conference, along with great worship, incredible people, and good food.

Here's what you need to know:

Where:	Freeport Church of the Brethren and the nearby Masonic Auditorium, Walnut & West Stephenson St., Freeport, IL.
When:	November 2-4, 2007 (the 1st weekend in November). Registration will begin at 7pm Friday at Freeport. We'll stay for opening worship, then head to our retreat. We finish by noon on Sunday.
Who:	Everyone currently in 9th through 12th grades, and advisors.
What:	Worship, music, learning about God and yourself, food, fun, games and recreation, a possible service project, time with friends, and much more.
Cost:	$30 (advisors can come for free!) Register using forms in the district conference packet or... Click Here

Click here for a flyer that you can post in your church.

District Senior High Fall Retreat -- November 2-4, 2007

"Encountering God On the Way"

• Do you long for a closer connection to your faith?
  
• Do you feel uncertain about the 'right' way to talk to God?
  
• Do you want some new tools to help you on your journey?

Then come to the year's fall Illinois/Wisconsin District Youth Retreat, November 2-4 in Freeport, IL!

It will feature special leadership by Seth Hendricks, music leader for the 2006 National Youth Conference, along with great worship, incredible people, and good food.

Here's what you need to know:

Where:	Freeport Church of the Brethren and the nearby Masonic Auditorium, Walnut & West Stephenson St., Freeport, IL.
When:	November 2-4, 2007 (the 1st weekend in November). Registration will begin at 7pm Friday at Freeport. We'll stay for opening worship, then head to our retreat. We finish by noon on Sunday.
Who:	Everyone currently in 9th through 12th grades, and advisors.
What:	Worship, music, learning about God and yourself, food, fun, games and recreation, a possible service project, time with friends, and much more.
Cost:	$30 (advisors can come for free!) Register using forms in the district conference packet or... Click Here

Click here for a flyer that you can post in your church.

Fall Retreat Wrapup (and upcoming events)

Youth gathered Nov. 3-5 during district conference in Lombard, Ill., for their fall retreat. Jim Chinworth, campus minister for Manchester College, led the weekend focusing on "Being Still". Other activities along with a variety of discussion, role plays, sharing times took place with the help of three Manchester students.

The weekend included a time of sharing in one of district conference's business sessions, several worship/devotions times and the conference opening and closing worship services. The host church provided for basketball, games, good food and fellowship. 30 people from nine congregations participated in the retreat.

The district youth cabinet will hold their annual planning retreat Jan. 19-21 at Cerro Gordo; all youth are invited to meet the cabinet on Saturday January 20th. The spring district youth retreat, featuring leadership from Brethren Volunteer Service, will be March 16-18 at Peoria Church of the Brethren. The Christian Citizenship Seminar will be held March 24-29, 2007. Finally, don't forget Regional Youth Conference April 27-29 at Manchester College.

Source: January 2007 District Newsletter

Senior High Fall Retreat -- November 3-5, 2006

"Be still: and be mindful"