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.

Resources help prepare for National Youth Conference.

Resources to help youth groups and their congregations prepare for National Youth Conference (NYC) 2010 are being offered at the event’s website, www.brethren.org/nyc . The conference is for senior high youth and adult advisors. It will be held on July 17-22, 2010, at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. Registration opens on Jan. 5, 2010, at 8 p.m. central time.

To help prepare congregations and youth spiritually, the NYC office has put together a number of resources that are available online: a short promotional video, printable flyers, and monthly newsletters posted in pdf format. Fundraising ideas are provided as well, with each newsletter featuring an "NYC Fundraiser of the Month."

A monthly Bible study written by Church of the Brethren members also will be posted. So far, Bible studies are available through April. "Feel free to use these in your youth groups. They are a great way to get familiar with the theme from 2 Corinthians 4:6-10, 16-18, and to prepare spiritually for NYC," said a recent letter to congregations and pastors.

In addition, the coordinators are promoting NYC at popular social networking sites including Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, and are providing a blog. Links are at www.brethren.org/nyc.

In other news, speakers for the NYC worship services have been announced: Shane Claiborne of Philadelphia, a leader in the new monastic movement; Jarrod McKenna, a leader in the emerging church movement in Australia; Brethren Revival Fellowship leader James Myer of Manheim, Pa.; Annual Conference moderator Shawn Flory Replogle; Bridgewater (Va.) College academic dean Carol Scheppard; Brethren videographer David Sollenberger; Ted & Company, a Mennonite comedy team from Harrisonburg, Va.; Naperville (Ill.) Church of the Brethren pastor Dennis Webb; Angie Lahman Yoder of the ministry team at Circle of Peace Church of the Brethren in Peoria, Ariz.; and the winners of the NYC youth speech contest.

-- Audrey Hollenberg and Emily LaPrade are the coordinators for NYC 2010.

Source: 11/4/2009 Newsline

NYC 2010 Speaker Feature: Shane Claiborne

With tears and laughter, Shane Claiborne unveils the tragic messes we've made of our world and the tangible hope that another world is possible. Shane graduated from Eastern University, and did graduate work at Princeton Seminary. His ministry experience is varied, from a 10-week stint working alongside Mother Teresa in Calcutta, to a year spent serving a wealthy mega-congregation at Willow Creek Community Church outside Chicago. During the recent war in Iraq, Shane spent three weeks in Baghdad with the Iraq Peace Team. Shane is also a founding partner of The Simple Way, a faith community in inner city Philadelphia that has helped to birth and connect radical faith communities around the world.

Shane writes and travels extensively speaking about peacemaking, social justice, and Jesus. He is featured in the DVD series “Another World Is Possible” and is the author of the several books including The Irresistible Revolution, Jesus for President, and Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers. Shane speaks over 100 times a year in a dozen or so countries and nearly every state in the US. Shane has given academic seminars at Vanderbilt University, Duke University Pepperdine University, Wheaton College, Princeton University, Goshen College and Harvard University. Shane also speaks at various denominational gatherings, festivals, and conferences around the globe. Shane's work has been featured in everything from Fox News and the Wall Street Journal to CNN and National Public Radio.

NYC Youth Speech Contest

For those of you that are considering writing a speech for the Youth Speech Contest or know some one who is, here are some things to consider as you write.

1. Write from your own perspective, you have a unique story to tell!
   
2. Incorporate the theme “More than Meets the Eye”
   1. Think about…
      1. how you are more than meets the eye
         
      2. how experiences in your life have been more than meets the eye
         
      3. how others in your life have been more than meets the eye
   2. Explore…
      1. what your own distinct “earthen vessel” or “pottery” looks like
         
      2. the treasure that is inside of you that people cannot necessarily see
3. Do not be afraid to show vulnerability by sharing your story, God will speak through that vulnerability.

Youth Peace Travel Team: A dream of peace.

Applications are being accepted for next summer’s Youth Peace Travel Team, a group of young adults age 19 to 22 who share Jesus' message of peace with other young people at church camps and other venues. The team is sponsored by the Church of the Brethren’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Brethren Volunteer Service, On Earth Peace, and the Outdoor Ministries Association. They receive food, lodging, and travel expenses for the summer, and a college tuition grant. Applications are due Jan. 19, 2010. Go to www.brethren.org/YouthPeaceTravelTeam or contact Becky Ullom at 800-323-8039 ext. 297.

The following is excerpted from a reflection by Jessica Flory-Steury, a member of the 2009 Youth Peace Travel Team along with Bethany Funkhouser, Chelsea Goss, and Marianne Houff:

"Before my experience on the Youth Peace Travel Team, I dreamed of peace on earth. I wondered what it would be like if all wars ended, world hunger was defeated, and love reigned over all. I always knew it was possible. I just didn’t know how....

"One of our junior high campers had a very interesting story. He had come to camp by invitation of a friend. He had not been to church more than a few times in his life. He didn’t know anything about the church, or much about Jesus Christ. He had come from a broken home and had witnessed things that no one should ever have to see in their lifetime.... He often teased other campers and in the past had been known to be involved in violence. In spite of that, he could be a kind and passionate individual. I was so glad he was there and I was glad to be there to witness his transformation.

"Throughout the beginning of the week, he got in trouble for goofing off. I discovered from conversation with him that he often had no idea what the leaders were talking about during Bible studies, leaving him frustrated and pushed even farther when he was reprimanded for not paying attention.

"From observing the campers that week, the team decided that these kids needed to hear more of the basics. They had more experiences of violence and hate in their lives than we could imagine. We told them that Jesus loved them--completely, uniquely, and intimately. We told them that we are called to love one another. In the session, we had them think of ways to break down walls of hate. At the end, we had them write their own ‘peace raps.’

"The passion and creativity that poured out of those kids was amazing. It was inspiring to observe that even though they had all experienced so much hate and violence in their schools and homes, they still had hope.

"The previously mentioned camper grew from an instigator to a leader...the one who was encouraging his teammates, presenting ideas, and motivating everyone to keep going. After we left that week, I wanted to go with that boy, to help him maintain his eagerness to learn and make peace and to remind him that he was loved. My hope is that we instilled something in him that doesn’t go away.... I pray that boy continues on his journey of peace with God....

" World peace will not be solved by one person in a day. We need each other and all the love that we possess to fulfill the message that Jesus had for us."

Source: 10/22/2009 Newsline

National Junior High Sunday is scheduled for Nov. 1.

Sunday, Nov. 1, has been scheduled as National Junior High Sunday in the Church of the Brethren. The junior high theme for the upcoming year is "Overflowing with Thankfulness" (Colossians 2:6-7).

"I hope many congregations will invite junior highs to lead worship on that Sunday," said an announcement from Becky Ullom, director of the church’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

A number of resources for National Junior High Sunday are available online: a Bible study by Dennis Lohr of Palmyra, Pa.; worship resources including a call to worship, invocation, invitation to giving, offertory prayer, readers theater, and benediction; a skit and prayer litany by Lorele Yager of Churubusco, Ind., (the skit is adapted from a demonstration by Charles Tayler of Goshen City, Ind.); a sample bulletin cover, and some creative ideas for worship including a "thankfulness display" and worship center.

Go to www.brethren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=grow_youth_ministry_resources for links to the junior high resources.

Source: 10/9/2009 Newsline Extra

NYC 2010 Speaker Feature: Carol Scheppard

Carol Scheppard is the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs at Bridgewater College. She grew up in New England and first joined the Church of the Brethren through the Genesis Church in Putney, Vermont. Called out in ministry by the Genesis congregation, she went on to seek theological training and, ultimately, ordination through the Southern Pennsylvania District. After completing her Master of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary and her PhD at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Scheppard moved to Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley in 1998. There she joined the faculty of the Philosophy and Religion Department at Bridgewater College, teaching such courses as History of the Christian Church, Medieval Women’s Spirituality, History of Biblical Interpretation, and Biblical Themes in Literature. An active member of the Lebanon Church of the Brethren in Mt. Sidney, Virginia, she is a former chair of its Church Board. Dr. Scheppard is now serving her second term with the Board of Trustees for Bethany Theological Seminary where she is the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee.

Youth workers are needed for National Youth Conference.

"Are you interested in volunteering at National Youth Conference 2010?" asks an invitation from the Church of the Brethren’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry. "Serving as a youth worker is a serious task," the invitation continues. "Youth workers are an essential part of the NYC staff, helping to carry out the programs and plans of the National Youth Cabinet as well as making sure that no details are missed."

Volunteer youth workers are expected to commit for the entire week of National Youth Conference, which is scheduled for July 17-22 in Fort Collins, Colo. Responsibilities include assisting the NYC coordinators, the National Youth Cabinet, and the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in required tasks for carrying out the conference.

"Youthworkers often miss sessions, meals, and sleep in order to get the job done, often meaning 10-12 hour days or longer," the invitation warned. "These responsibilities are not meant to scare you out of applying, but rather to emphasize the importance and responsibility of being a youth worker. We need committed, focused, and enthusiastic people to make NYC run smoothly."

Youth workers are expected to arrive on the campus of Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., in the early afternoon of Friday, July 16, and to be present at the conference through the evening of Thursday, July 22. As compensation, registration fees will be waived (the fee covers lodging and meals) and travel expenses will be covered provided the Youth and Young Adult Ministry office books the airline tickets. Youth workers must have completed at least their second year of college. Adults of all ages are encouraged to apply as well.

Completed applications must be postmarked by Nov. 1 and final decisions will be made in early 2010. Go to www.brethren.org/nycyouthworker to find the application online.

Source: 9/25/2009 Newsline Extra

Workcamp Ministry announces schedule for 2010.

The Workcamp Ministry of the Church of the Brethren Youth and Young Adult Office has announced a theme and schedule for the workcamps that will be offered in the summer of 2010. The theme, "With glad and generous hearts," is taken from Acts 2:46. Online registration will open on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. (Central) at www.brethren.org.

The Workcamp Ministry recorded a successful season this summer, with a total of 723 participants, 16 more than in 2008. "It is exciting and encouraging in this difficult economy, when many are struggling, that parents and congregations are making it a priority to send their youth on short-term service trips," said coordinator Jeanne Davies. "Workcamps give our youth an opportunity to put their faith into action, an experience that can be life-changing."

Twelve workcamps are planned for next summer, with a focus on junior high events because it is a National Youth Conference year. Following are dates and locations. The registration fee is $245 unless otherwise indicated:

Junior high workcamps are planned for Elgin, Ill., on June 16-20; Brooklyn, N.Y., on June 23-27; Indianapolis, Ind., on June 23-27; Ashland, Ohio, on June 28-July 2; Roanoke, Va., on July 28-Aug 1; Harrisburg, Pa., on Aug 2-6; and Richmond, Va., on Aug 3-7.

Senior high workcamps sponsored by the Brethren Revival Fellowship are planned for the Dominican Republic on June 20-27 ($695) and for Reynosa, Mexico, on July 31-Aug 7 ($595).

An intergenerational workcamp for ages 11 and up, co-led with On Earth Peace, will take place at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., on June 14-19 ($295).

A young adult workcamp will go to Haiti on May 23-30 ($695).

A "We Are Able" workcamp for intellectually disabled youth and young adults, and youth and young adult service partners, will be offered at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., on June 28/29-July 2 ($350).

For more information go to www.brethren.org/workcamps or contact cobworkcamps@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 286.

Source: 9/24/2009 Newsline

Witkovsky Resigns

Matt Witkovsky has resigned as one of the co-coordinators of the 2010 National Youth Conference (NYC). He plans to continue in Brethren Volunteer Service on another assignment. Since he started in the position earlier this year, he has helped out at Christian Citizenship Seminar and with the workcamp ministry. He is a graduate of Elizabethtown (Pa.) College and was a member of the Church of the Brethren's Youth Peace Travel Team in 2006. NYC planning will move forward with co-coordinators Emily Laprade and Audrey Hollenberg, youth and young adult ministry director Becky Ullom, and the National Youth Cabinet.

Source: 9/9/2009 Newsline

World Council of Churches Interns

The World Council of Churches (WCC) will welcome five young people ages 18-30 to serve as interns in Geneva, Switzerland, from Feb. 2010-Jan. 2011. The interns will be assigned to one of the WCC working areas. Applicants must send, along with their application, background information about their church or Christian youth network that will help them in implementing their project. Closing date for receiving applications is Sept. 30. More information is at www.oikoumene.org/?id=3187.

Source: 9/9/2009 Newsline

Workcamp Photos

A photo album from the workcamps offered this summer by the Church of the Brethren's Youth and Young Adult Ministry is now available. Click here to find photos from a variety of workcamps for junior and senior high youth and advisors, young adults, and intergenerational groups. Above, former Youth and Young Adult director Chris Douglas joins senior highs at a workcamp in Putney, Vt., at the Place Apart intentional Christian community.

Source: 9/9/2009 Newsline

Junior High Conference exceeds seed grant in 'reverse offering.'

Junior high youth who took part in this year's National Junior High Conference have exceeded the seed money they were given for a "reverse offering" that has been collected since the June event. Reports on the collection has been issued by the Church of the Brethren's Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

In an update, youth and young adult ministry director Becky Ullom called the effort a "fantastic response from the junior high youth."

The worship planning team at the National Junior High Conference "wanted to have an offering experience that didn't put additional financial strain on families sending their youth to the conference," Ullom said. "Because the conference was focused on the theme of transformation, we decided a to try a reverse offering to benefit the ministries of the Church of the Brethren."

Each youth who attended the conference received $10, made possible through a $4,000 grant from the Church of the Brethren's Core Ministries Fund and the church's office of Stewardship and Donor Development.

"We encouraged the youth to consider how they might 'transform' the money into more," Ullom said. "If the youth were unsure of how to transform the money or didn't want to participate for some other reason, they could offer the money back immediately."

Staff returned from the conference with about $800 given during the event. Since then, many more donations have been received from junior high youth and youth groups, for a total of $6,277. Yet more donations are expected through the fall, Ullom said.

"I just wanted to share this great news with you," she wrote in her e-mail about the program. "What an example these youth and their advisors, families, and congregations are providing!"

Source: 9/9/2009 Newsline

National Youth Conference registration to begin Jan. 5.

Online registration for National Youth Conference (NYC) 2010 is scheduled to begin on Jan. 5, 2010, at 8 p.m. central time. NYC is an event for Church of the Brethren senior high youth that is offered every four years by the denomination’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

The 2010 NYC will take place July 17-22 on the campus of Colorado State University in Fort Collins, with the theme "More than Meets the Eye" (2 Corinthians 4:6-10 and 16-18).

NYC coordinators Audrey Hollenberg and Emily LaPrade, who are Brethren Volunteer Service workers, will assist Youth and Young Adult Ministry director Becky Ullom and the National Youth Cabinet in organizing the conference.

Cost of early registration for NYC is $425, increasing to $450 after Feb. 15. The registration fee includes lodging and meals. Registration will close on April 5, 2010. A deposit of $200 is due at time of registration, with the balance due by April 5. The money is nonrefundable. NYC t-shirts costing $15 each can be ordered at the time of registration.

Church of the Brethren musician and songwriter Shawn Kirchner has been commissioned to write the NYC Theme Song. A Speech Contest and a Music Contest are open to youth who will be attending NYC.

In the speech contest, youth are invited to submit speeches based on the NYC theme. Two youth will be chosen to speak in front of the conference during a worship service. "We need enthusiastic youth that will be able to inspire others with their words," said an invitation from the Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Entries must include a written and audio copy of the speech, which should be 500-700 words (about 10 minutes spoken).

During the same worship service, the winning song in the music contest will be played or the writer will participate in the performance of the song. Youth are invited to submit a song based on the NYC theme and written for use in worship. The winning song will be included in the conference book. Songs should be three-to-five minutes in length, and entries should include an audio recording on CD as well as a copy of the lyrics.

Submissions of speeches and songs are due by Jan. 1, 2010. Send entries to the NYC Office, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120. For more information go to www.2010nyc.org.

The Youth and Young Adult Ministry also has issued a call for volunteer youth workers to assist with the conference. "Youth workers are an essential part of the NYC staff, helping to carry out the programs and plans of the National Youth Cabinet as well as making sure that no details are missed," said the announcement. "We need committed, focused, and enthusiastic people to make NYC run smoothly."

Youth workers must be willing and ready to work long hours and commit to be present for the entire week of NYC. Families of youth workers are not permitted to accompany volunteers. Youth workers are expected to arrive in the early afternoon of July 16, the day before the conference begins, and to be available to work through the evening of July 22. The registration fee will be waived for youth workers, and travel expenses will be paid (provided the Youth and Young Adult Ministry books the airline tickets).

To apply for a youth worker position, complete an application form and mail it postmarked by Nov. 1. For an application form contact the NYC Office at 800-323-8039.

In related news, McPherson (Kan.) College is offering free overnight lodging and breakfast to NYC attendees either on the way to or on the way home from the conference. In exchange for this hospitality, the college is asking guests to take a one-hour tour. Contact Tom Hurst, director of Campus Ministries, at hurstt@mcpherson.edu or 620-242-0503.

Becky Ullom called as director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Becky Ullom has been called to serve as the Church of the Brethren’s director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, effective Aug. 31. She currently is director of Identity and Relations, with responsibility for the denominational website and a range of other communication tasks.

"Ullom brings a passion for young people, organizational acumen, visionary leadership, a history of ministering with Brethren youth, and strong skills in group process," said an announcement of the appointment.

"As a native of young adult culture and an enthusiastic ambassador for vital youth and young adult ministries, Becky will lead us collaboratively and competently into a new and dynamic future with young people," said Jonathan Shively, executive director for Congregational Life Ministries.

In previous work for the church, Ullom was coordinator of National Young Adult Conference from June 2003-July 2004 and one of the coordinators of National Youth Conference (NYC) from June 2001-July 2002. She has been a young adult steward with the World Council of Churches, and a Brethren delegate to the National Council of Churches. She also has taught high school English.

She received her bachelor of arts degree from McPherson (Kan.) College with majors in English and Spanish and a minor in English as a Second Language.

Source: 8/4/2008 Newsline

2010 National Youth Conference Promotional Video

National Youth Conference Speech Contest

This is your chance to share your message and be heard!! Two youth speeches will be chosen to speak during worship at NYC. We need enthusiastic youth that will be able to inspire others with their words.

The NYC theme scripture, II Corinthians 4:6-10, 16-18 (The Message) reminds us that God does great things through each person. In troubled times we are challenged not to lose heart because God is the rock that will help us overcome. Even though we may seem like simple jars of clay, with God’s light we are more that meets the eye.

Requirements:

• Only youth attending NYC 2010 (July 17-22) are invited to enter the Youth Speech Contest.
  
• The topic of the speech should center on The theme, “More than Meets the Eye.”
  
• Entries must include a written and audio copy of the speech and should be 500-700 words (about 10 minutes spoken) and sent to the NYC Office by January 1, 2010.
  
• The top two entrants will give their speeches during a worship service at NYC.

Send entries to:
NYC Office
1451 Dundee Avenue
Elgin, Illinois 60120
(800) 323-8039
2010nyc@brethren.org
www.2010nyc.org

National Youth Conference Music Contest

Do you love to write and play music? The NYC team is looking for talented youth that would like to contribute their musical talents by writing a song for worship. If your song is chosen it will be in the conference book and you will be able to perform it on stage at the same worship service as the Youth Speech Contest Winners.

The NYC theme scripture, II Corinthians 4:6-10, 16-18 (The Message) reminds us that God does great things through each person. In troubled times we are challenged not to lose heart because God is the rock that will help us overcome. Even though we may seem like simple jars of clay, with God’s light we are more than meets the eye.

Requirements:

• Only youth attending NYC 2010 (July 17-22) are invited to enter the Youth Music Contest.
  
• Songs should focus on the theme, “More than Meets the Eye.”
  
• Songs should be 3-5 minutes in length.
  
• Entries should contain an audio recordingon CD. Lyrics must be included.
  
• Submissions are due by January 1, 2010.

Send entries to:
NYC Office
1451 Dundee Avenue
Elgin, Illinois 60120
(800) 323-8039
2010nyc@brethren.org
www.2010nyc.org

* The theme song has been commissioned.

Christian Citizenship Seminar studies modern-day slavery.

This year's Church of the Brethren Christian Citizenship Seminar, held April 25-30 in New York and Washington, D.C., drew 94 senior high youth and advisors from 10 states to study the eye-opening realities of modern-day slavery. The issue came before the full church last summer, when delegates to the 2008 Annual Conference overwhelmingly approved a statement to "reaffirm our denomination’s historic opposition to slavery."

Anna Speicher, a Church of the Brethren member who has written a dissertation on the abolition movement, reviewed that history for the seminar participants--and said all that good work is only a beginning. "You’re already way ahead of the game right now. You know it’s not over," said Speicher, who is also director of the Gather ‘Round curriculum for Brethren Press and Mennonite Publishing Network.

Speicher noted that while slavery is illegal in every country worldwide, it is often underground and thus hard to see. It exists in many forms and under many different names, such as debt bondage, human trafficking, sex trafficking, and forced labor. It can be found in many places including the United States, where an estimated 14,500-plus slaves are trafficked in each year.

Other speakers addressing the seminar included Roni Hong, herself a victim of slavery in India as a child; Lariza Garzon, who works with undocumented farmworkers in Florida; staff from the World Council of Churches US Conference and the National Council of Churches, who organized a conference on modern-day slavery last year and adopted a resolution; and staff from advocacy organizations Free the Slaves and Global Centurion.

Youth carried their stories and experiences to Capitol Hill during the second half of the seminar. Some groups were able to meet their representatives or senators personally, while others raised the issues with aides--particularly urging full funding for the recently renewed Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Worship and debriefing times during the week offered additional outlets to process the heavy topic.

Participants were encouraged to take the issue back with them, brainstorming ideas for speaking up and taking action after they returned home. "We’re beginning to make progress, but there’s so much more to be done," said Laura Lederer, vice president of Global Centurion. "I’m more hopeful now that I’ve been before. There’s a new human rights movement springing up all around the world."

The Christian Citizenship Seminar is sponsored annually, except in National Youth Conference years, by the Church of the Brethren’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry; go to the youth ministry page at http://www.brethren.org for details. An article on the 2009 seminar will be in the June issue of "Messenger."

-- Walt Wiltschek is editor of the Church of the Brethren’s "Messenger" magazine.

Source: 6/3/2009 Newsline

DISTRICT YOUTH RETREATS

Due to an insufficient number of registrations, the spring district youth retreat that had been scheduled in April had to be canceled. The next retreat will be held during district conference, Nov. 6-8 at Naperville Church of the Brethren in Naperville, Ill. David Radcliff of New Community Project will be the featured speaker. Watch www.cobyouth.org for details on this and other upcoming events. Don’t forget to register for youth camps at Camp Emmaus and Camp Emmanuel this summer.

Also, if your congregation has suggestions of youth who will be in grades 9-12 next year for the district youth cabinet, please send those names to the district office or to Jim Miner at jim_e_miner@yahoo.com.

Source: 5/2009 IL/WI District Newsletter

CABINET ANNOUNCES THEME FOR 2010 NYC

National Youth Conference (NYC) 2010 has a theme: “More Than Meets the Eye,” drawn from 2 Cor. 4:6-10 and 16-18 (The Message).

The theme and some other aspects of the conference were decided as the National Youth Cabinet met earlier this year in Elgin, Ill. In a statement on the theme, NYC co-coordinators Audrey Hollenberg, Emily LaPrade, and Matt Witkovsky said the scripture passage “reminds us that God does great things through each person. . . . Even though we may seem like simple jars of clay, with God’s light we are more than meets the eye.”

The cabinet also discussed worship speakers and music leaders, which will be finalized in the coming months, along with broader goals, the schedule, and promotion ideas. Details will be posted as they become available at the new NYC website: www.2010nyc.org. NYC 2010, for senior high youth and advisors, will take place July 17-22, 2010, at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo.

Members of the cabinet, which will next meet in mid-August in Colorado, are Sam Cupp, Jamie Frye, Tyler Goss, Kay Guyer, Kelsey Murray, and Ryan Roebuck, along with adult advisors Christy Waltersdorff and Walt Wiltschek, Church of the Brethren Youth/Young Adult Ministry director Chris Douglas, and the NYC co-coordinators.

Source: 5/2009 IL/WI District Newsletter

National Youth Sunday

The Church of the Brethren’s National Youth Sunday is scheduled for May 3. Congregations are encouraged to invite youth to participate in leading Sunday worship on the theme, "Standing On Holy Ground" from Exodus 3:5. Go to www.brethren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=grow_youth_ministry_resources to find skits, Bible studies, scripture jams, children’s stories, a bulletin insert, and other worship resources.

Source: 4/08/2009 Newsline

National Junior High Conference

National Junior High Conference registration will continues to be open after April 15, however the cost will rise to $150 after that date, from the early registration cost of $125. "There are still spaces left and we would love for you to attend National Junior High Conference at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., June 19-21," said an invitation from the Church of the Brethren’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Go to www.brethren.org/jrhiconf for online registration. Participants living west of the Mississippi River may apply for a $150 travel scholarship, contact 800-323-8039 ext. 281 for details.

Source: 4/08/2009 Newsline

Young Adult Conference

Young Adult Conference registration is open, with the registration fee rising to $100 after April 15. The conference is for young adults ages 18-35 and will be held at Camp Swatara in Bethel, Pa., on May 23-25. Go to www.brethren.org/yac09 to register online. For questions or more information call 800-323-8039 ext. 281.

Source: 4/08/2009 Newsline

McPherson Regional Youth Conference

McPherson (Kan.) College on April 17-19 will offer a Regional Youth Conference for the Church of the Brethren districts of Missouri and Arkansas, Northern Plains, Southern Plains, and Western Plains. The theme is "The Heavens Declare the Glory of God." Leadership will be provided by Rex Miller and Curt Rowland of Camp Alexander Mack in Milford, Ind. Jen Jehnsen will lead worship. Cost is $46 per person. Contact Tom Hurst, Director of Campus Ministries, at hurstt@mcpherson.edu or 620-242-0503.

Source: 4/08/2009 Newsline

ILLINOIS/WISCONSIN SPRING DISTRICT YOUTH RETREAT

April 17-19, 2009 - Dixon Church of the Brethren

Where: Dixon Church of the Brethren is at 215 N. Court St., Dixon, Ill.

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

Theme: "Mission Near and Far"

Leadership: Beth Gunzel, a member of York Center Church of the Brethren, recently returned from doing economic development work for the Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic; now she’s working with the “Growing Home” project in Chicago. Beth will talk about her work and how we can connect with our neighbors in need, whether they’re in another country or just a few miles down the road.

Schedule: Register between 7-8 p.m. Friday evening; we'll finish after worship on Sunday morning. In addition to our sessions with Beth, the weekend will include times of worship, good food, recreation and games, a service project, and more.

How much?: $30 for youth; advisors accompanying youth attend at no charge.
Please register by April 10. Forms are available on www.cobyouth.org.

Note: If fewer than a dozen registrations have been received by April 10th, then the retreat will have to be canceled.

Please watch www.cobyouth.org for any updates.

NATIONAL JUNIOR HIGH CONFERENCE NOTICE

Brothers and Sisters in the Illinois and Wisconsin District.

Brian and I have decided that we will not be taking a district bus to National Jr. High Conference this summer in Harrisonburg VA.

We hope that youth from across our district will venture to this conference. Two years ago this was a fantastic event and I trust that this years conference will be as wonderful.

We regret this decision, but it is one that had to be made because we have had about 15 youth and adults that were wanting to travel by bus together. This comes nowhere close to the 45 persons needed to fill a bus.

If you have questions or comments feel free to contact either of us.

Blessings to all,

Lisa Fike and Brian Archer

2009 Youth Peace Travel Team Announced

The Church of the Brethren is pleased to announce their 2009 Youth Peace Travel Team. Members are Chelsea Goss of Mechanicsville, VA, Jessica Flory Steury of Kettering, OH, Marianne Houff of Bethel, PA, and Bethany Funkhouser of Strasburg, VA. Congratulations to these four women who will represent the church as they travel to camps across the denomination throughout the summer. This team, sponsored by the Church of the Brethren Outdoor Ministries, Youth and Young Adult, Brethren Volunteer Service, On Earth Peace, and Brethren Witness/Washington Office programs will share with Brethren youth the message of peace and justice that has been a core faith tradition of the church throughout its 300 year history. The team will also be attending and leading sessions at the National Jr. High Conference, the San Diego Annual Conference, and the New Windsor Workcamp. Please offer these four women your congratulations and prayerful support.

Source: Brethren Witness/Washington Office

District Junior High News

Plans are in progress for a Jr. High Spring Retreat to be held at Camp Emmaus, April 24-25, 2009. More information will be coming as plans materialize.

National Jr. High conference is being planned for June 19 - 21 in Harrisonburg, VA. We invite Jr. High age students, those that have completed 6, 7, or 8 grade, to participate in this action packed weekend. Check with your youth advisor or pastor for more information. You can register on line at www.brethren.org. The cost for the conference is $125.00 per participant. Our district Jr. High advisors, Brian Archerand and Lisa Fike, are working to provide a district bus for the trip.

Lisa Fike, District Jr. High Advisor, announces that only one (1) inquiry has been made concerning a district bus to go to the National Jr. High Conference, June 19-21, 2009, at Harrisonburg, VA. Please contact Lisa immediately if Jr. High youth and advisors from your congregation are interested in bus transportation to the conference. Arrangements for a bus need to be made before February 28. You may contact Lisa at ((815) 232-1938 (Freeport COB) or by email at pastorlfike@gmail.com.

Please contact Lisa or Brian if you have youth that would like to ride the bus. We'd love to fill a bus from our district. The conference two years ago was fantastic. Brian's Email address baacoffee@yahoo.com and Lisa's pastorLfike@gmail.com.

“Transformed: Inside Out”
June 19-21, 2009
at James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Featuring Ted Swartz and Ken Medema
For registration information contact:
Rebekah Houff at 800-323-8039 Ext. 281

YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE

• May 23-25, 2009 (Memorial Day weekend) at Camp Swatara (north of Harrisburg, PA)
  
• Featuring: Greg Laszakovits, Dana Cassell, and Katie O’Donnell
  
• Cost: $90 prior to April 15
  
• Theme: “The Journey of Discipleship”
  
• For registration information contact: Youth & Young Adult Ministry office at 800-323-8039, x 297, or cdouglas_gb@brethren.org

Cabinet Announces Theme for 2010 NYC

National Youth Conference (NYC) 2010 has a theme: “More Than Meets the Eye,” drawn from 2 Cor. 4:6-10 and 16-18 (The Message).

The theme and some other aspects of the conference were decided as the National Youth Cabinet met Jan. 2-5 in Elgin, Ill. In a statement on the theme, NYC co-coordinators Audrey Hollenberg, Emily LaPrade, and Matt Witkovsky said the scripture passage “reminds us that God does great things through each person. . . . Even though we may seem like simple jars of clay, with God’s light we are more than meets the eye.”

The cabinet also discussed worship speakers and music leaders, which will be finalized in the coming months, along with broader goals, the schedule, and promotion ideas. Details will be posted as they become available at the new NYC website: www.2010nyc.org. NYC 2010, for senior high youth and advisors, will take place July 17-22, 2010, at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo.

Members of the cabinet, which will next meet in mid-August in Colorado, are Sam Cupp, Jamie Frye, Tyler Goss, Kay Guyer, Kelsey Murray, and Ryan Roebuck, along with adult advisors Christy Waltersdorff and Walt Wiltschek, Church of the Brethren Youth/Young Adult Ministry director Chris Douglas, and the NYC co-coordinators.

Workcamp Registration Opens on January 5th

Registration opens Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. central time for the Church of the Brethren's 2009 workcamps. The 2009 workcamp theme is "Bound Together, Finely Woven." Workcamp opportunities are available for junior high youth, senior high youth, and young adults, as well as a new opportunity for an intergenerational workcamp on the theme, "Passing on the Peace Witness," available for families. Also new this year is "We Are Able," a workcamp for intellectually disabled participants to work alongside a service partner. Go to www.brethrenworkcamps.org for a bulletin insert with a list of the 2009 workcamps and more information, or call the workcamp office at 800-323-8039.

Source: 12/17/2008 Newsline

Conference Theme Video Contest

For the 2009 Annual Conference, the Church of the Brethren's Congregational Life Team is sponsoring a contest for the best 3-minute video giving a creative interpretation of the Conference theme, "The old has gone! The new has come! All this is from God!" The winner of the contest will see their video shown from the floor of Annual Conference and will receive a $100 prize. Up to four runner-ups will have their videos distributed on a DVD at the Conference and will receive $50. The video contest entry form and an information form are at www.emergentbrethren.org. For more information contact Jeff Glass at jglass_gb@brethren.org or 888-826-4951.

Source: 12/17/2008 Newsline

Young adults are chosen as National Youth Conference coordinators.

Coordinators have been chosen for the Church of the Brethren's National Youth Conference (NYC) in 2010. The conference takes place every four years, sponsored by the denomination's Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

The NYC coordinators will be Audrey Hollenberg, a senior at Bridgewater (Va.) College from Westminster (Md.) Church of the Brethren; Emily Laprade, currently one of the assistant coordinators for the Church of the Brethren's workcamp program, from Antioch Church of the Brethren in Rocky Mount, Va.; and Matt Witkovsky, a graduate of Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., from Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon.

The NYC coordinators will serve as fulltime volunteers through Brethren Volunteer Service. They will spend 15 months working in the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office in Elgin, Ill., beginning in May 2009. The work will entail planning for the gathering of thousands of Brethren youth at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., on July 17-22.

Source: 12/17/2008 Newsline

National Youth Conference Dates Announced

Dates have been announced for the Church of the Brethren's National Youth Conference (NYC) in 2010: July 17-22. The conference is sponsored by the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office. It will take place at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., beginning with dinner on Saturday, July 17, and concluding Thursday morning, July 22, at 11:30 a.m.

Source: 12/3/2008 Newsline

2009 Christian Citizenship Seminar on April 25-30

The 2009 Christian Citizenship Seminar on April 25-30 will focus on the topic of modern-day slavery. The event for 100 high school age youth and advisors is sponsored by the Brethren Witness/Washington Office and the Youth and Young Adult Office of the Church of the Brethren. All high school youth and adult advisors are eligible to attend. Churches sending more than four youth are required to send at least one adult. Registration is limited to the first 100 youth and advisors who apply. The seminar will begin in New York City and end in Washington, D.C. The registration fee of $350 includes lodging for five nights, dinner on the opening evening, and transportation from New York to Washington. At www.brethren.org go to keyword "Youth/Young Adults" and click on "Christian Citizenship Seminar" for more information and to register. Registration ends Feb. 28, 2009, or as soon as 100 registrations are received.

Source: 12/3/2008 Newsline

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

Manchester RYC

Three dozen senior high youth and advisors gathered Oct. 4-5 at Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., for a Regional Youth Conference exploring faith and politics. Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, led sessions emphasizing the possibilities that Christians can help bring about. “Politicians and political structures are not going to be the answers for this world,” Jones said. He described from scripture what the world “should be” and told youth, “It’s up to us to help (government) get there. It’s putting our basic and core faith understandings into action.” Sessions explored topics of justice, passion, and humility, using Micah 6:8 as a central text. Paul Fry-Miller led music for the weekend, while Manchester students helped to lead small groups for deeper discussion. The two-man band Jayber Crow gave a concert.

Source: 11/19/2008 Newsline

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.

'We Are Able' is among new workcamps scheduled for 2009.

The 2009 schedule of summer workcamps has been announced by the Church of the Brethren's Youth and Young Adult Office. The workcamp theme for the year is "Bound Together, Finely Woven" (2 Corinthians 8:12-15). In 2009, 29 workcamps will be offered in 25 diverse locations in the United States and several international locations.

Each workcamp offers a week-long service opportunity for junior high youth, senior high youth, young adults, or an intergenerational group. Held in the months of June, July, and August, the workcamps provide experiences that unite service, spiritual growth, and Brethren heritage.

Four of the 2009 workcamps are highlighted by staff as offering new or unique opportunities:

• A workcamp titled "We Are Able" for senior high youth and young adults at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md., on July 6-10 is a new concept in the workcamp ministry. Recognizing that all people have gifts to share, the workcamp will enable youth and young adults with intellectual disabilities to serve side-by-side with a service-partner youth or young adult.
  
  
• A young adult workcamp in Northern Ireland will be held June 6-14, offering the opportunity to travel to an area of extreme beauty, but also extreme conflict. Participants will learn about conflict and reconciliation while working at Kilcranny House in Coleraine.
  
  
• An intergenerational workcamp titled "Passing on the Peace Witness" at the Brethren Service Center on Aug. 2-7 is co-sponsored by On Earth Peace and is offered to people of all ages. Multiple generations will serve together, exploring the legacy and importance of the peace witness in the Church of the Brethren. Families are invited.
  
  
• A workcamp for senior high youth on the issue of racism is held in Germantown, Pa., on July 27-Aug. 2, co-sponsored by On Earth Peace. Church of the Brethren leaders recently issued a letter calling for continued study and self-examination on the issue of racism. This workcamp will offer that opportunity as participants serve together in an urban setting.

Junior high workcamps will be held at 10 other sites, among them the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., and the John Kline Homestead in Broadway, Va. (see feature story below reflecting on this summer's workcamp at the John Kline Homestead; go to www.brethren.org and click on "Photo Journal" to find a photographic tour of the homestead). Many other senior high workcamps will be offered next summer, at 15 sites including at Brethren Disaster Ministries rebuilding projects on the Gulf coast.

"Just as each thread is important in a tapestry, each person is important in a workcamp," said an announcement from the workcamp staff. "This summer we will work side by side, giving and receiving; revealing a God already present in the world. Come discover the importance of each thread of the tapestry, bound together and finely woven as the community of all God's children."

Workcamp registration begins online at 8 p.m. central time on Jan. 5, 2009. Go to www.brethrenworkcamps.org for more information. For a brochure with a complete listing of the 2009 workcamp sites and dates contact Jeanne Davies, Meghan Horne, Bekah Houff, or Emily LaPrade in the workcamp office at cobworkcamps_gb@brethren.org or 800-323-8039.

Meghan Horne is one of the coordinators for the workcamp program, through Brethren Volunteer Service.

Source: 11/5/2008 Newsline

John Kline Homestead workcamp strengthens hearts and spirits.

Going to the John Kline Homestead was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We worked to renew the John Kline property for others who will visit the historic place in its 300th anniversary year.

Our theme for the week was "strengthen our hands," but it was more than just doing hard work for a good cause. Not only did we strengthen our hands, but I feel also our hearts and spirits. It's hard to believe we were able to be part of something that will forever be part of our Brethren history.

To sleep in the house Elder John Kline slept in, and to touch and feel things he actually used with his own hands, was something I'll never forget. Our group spent three days cleaning out the antiques in the horse barn. It was amazing to see these old and dusty things come to life. We saw medicine bottles Elder John Kline used as a doctor, a tanner's bench and shoe forms he used to make shoes, and a gorgeous blue glass coffee table we discovered after cleaning years of dust.

Before going on our trip, not many in our group knew who John Kline was. But through this experience we all learned how important he was. A person to look up to and aspire to be like. He gave so much of himself to help others without really getting much in return. Hopefully each of us who went can feel that we strengthened our hearts and spirits, so that we too can help others in the Brethren way that Elder John Kline did.

Stacy Stewart is a member of the youth group at Spring Run Church of the Brethren. This report first appeared in the Middle Pennsylvania District newsletter. To view a photographic tour of the John Kline Homestead go to www.brethren.org and click on "Photo Journal."

Source: 11/5/2008 Newsline

National Young Adult Conference meets in the mountains of Colorado.

About 130 people worshiped, conversed, and enjoyed the outdoors at this year’s Church of the Brethren National Young Adult Conference (NYAC) in Estes Park, Colo.

The schedule was built around worship, with morning and evening celebrations on the theme "Come to the Mountain: Guidance for the Journey" each day of the Aug. 11-15 event. Leaders for those times included a mix of young adults and denominational staff, each addressing a key word such as "honesty," "credibility," or "grace."

Several speakers looked at issues currently confronting Brethren. Videographer Dave Sollenberger of Annville, Pa., highlighted both examples of faithfulness and credibility in the church and places where the church has come up short. "It’s very easy to buy into the lies our culture has taught us," Sollenberger said.

On Thursday evening, in a drizzly outdoor service, On Earth Peace peace witness coordinator Matt Guynn looked at the conflict and differences that exist among Brethren. He suggested that the "push-pull" process can be dynamic and healthy, moving the church out of being "stuck" and stagnant. "We in the church need to engage in the push and the pull together," said Guynn, who also spoke at the closing service.

Kayla Camps, a young adult leader from Florida, challenged the group to work toward integrity. "The more of God we have in our everyday choices, the more just our society will become," she said.

Other worship leaders included general secretary Stan Noffsinger; Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren (Los Angeles) pastor Thomas Dowdy; Laura Stone, a young adult currently volunteering at Gould Farm in Massachusetts; and "Messenger" editor Walt Wiltschek.

Young adults delved further into some of the issues raised during a variety of workshops and community group times. Topics ranged from media and ministry to more controversial issues in the church, such as homosexuality and biblical interpretation. Staff from numerous Brethren agencies also shared about their work.

Less structured times included opportunities for salsa dancing, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, hiking, roller skating, and other options at the host YMCA of the Rockies. Several dozen people took part in service projects one afternoon, assisting with tasks such as staining fences and pulling invasive thistles. Late-evening open microphone sessions offered abundant music and laughter.

Bekah Houff, a Brethren Volunteer Service worker in the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office, served as coordinator for the conference with the help of the Young Adult Steering Committee. Jim Chinworth and Becky Ullom were worship coordinators, and Shawn Kirchner provided musical leadership.

--Walt Wiltschek is editor of the Church of the Brethren's "Messenger" magazine.

Source: 8/27/2008 Newsline

Regional Youth Conference - October 4-5, 2008 @ Manchester College

Regional Youth Conference (RYC) takes place each year on the Manchester College campus. Church of the Brethren high school students and their youth group advisors are invited to participate in this weekend event. The weekend consists of worship, small group sharing, educational workshops, recreation, campus tours … all of which lead to personal growth and a great opportunity for fellowship with other Brethren youth.


RYC 2008 will be held Saturday and Sunday,
Oct. 4-5, 2008.

What is at RYC for me?
Worship is always the highlight of RYC. Our three worship celebrations will pull topics from our conference theme of Faith and Politics. Through worship, we will explore these ideas as we continue to grow in our faith, and discern the influence of faith on political beliefs during this election year.

Keynote speaker for RYC 2008 is Phil Jones. Phil is the director of the Brethren Witness/Washington D.C. Office, the Church of the Brethren’s go-to office on matters of legislation and political action. He works to advocate and effect change in U.S. policy in regard to peace and justice issues from a Church of the Brethren faith-based perspective.

Registration for RYC will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, with our opening worship beginning at 10:15 a.m. Large-group sessions with Phil Jones, as well as small group discussion sessions, will be offered after lunch. It will be a full and fun weekend of learning, worship and fellowship with others from our region.

Paul Fry-Miller will lead music throughout the weekend. Paul leads music regularly in worship at Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne. Joining Paul will be other talented local musicians. A special Saturday evening concert will also be offered. Youth may also choose to attend a Sunday morning reflection time.

But wait! There’s more … campus tours, informational displays, old and new friends, and much, much more. You won’t want to miss this year’s RYC!

Just the facts
Where? On the Manchester College campus

When? RYC is held Oct. 4-5, 2008 with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning in the Physical Education and Recreation Center (PERC), next to the lower Union parking lot. RYC will conclude before lunch on Sunday morning.

What to bring? Please bring a sleeping bag, pillow, towel, change of clothes, personal care items, a second pair of shoes, your Bible and an open heart and mind. You’ll be sleeping on the PERC floor, so please bring something soft to sleep on! Locker rooms with non-private showers will be available.

Who and Why? RYC is a youth conference provided by Manchester College for high school students and their adult advisors who reside in the Illinois/Wisconsin, Michigan, Northern Ohio, Southern Ohio, Northern Indiana and South/Central Indiana districts of the Church of the Brethren. This conference provides an opportunity for youth to socialize and share fellowship with one another, learn about what it means to be Brethren, and to praise God together. Churches are expected to send advisors with their youth. For example, if you send young women to RYC, please send a female chaperone. If you send young men to RYC, please send a male chaperone. If you send both young women and men to RYC, please send both a female and male chaperone. Please call the RYC office if you have difficulty in finding adults to send with your youth.

How much? Cost of the conference is $50 for youth and $35 for advisors. This cost covers three meals, lodging, snacks, conference activities and registration costs. A late registration fee of $60 for youth and $45 for advisors will be charged for registrations postmarked after Sept. 26.

A partial RYC experience is better than no RYC experience! Please call the RYC office (260-982-4151) for special discounted rates for a partial RYC weekend.

How to register? Download and print a registration form. Also, fill out an Emergency Information form and an Assumption of Risk form, and send them, along with your registration fee, to:

RYC 2008
Manchester College,
604 E. College Ave.,
North Manchester, IN 46962

Return no later than Sept. 26, 2008. Please be sure to read and sign the covenant. Checks should be made payable to Manchester College.

Contact Information: Call Sarah Hall, 260-982-4151 or e-mail ryc@manchester.edu.

Download a printable .pdf file of all this information.

Christian Citizenship Seminar will focus on modern-day slavery.

On April 25-30, 2009, high school age youth and advisors in the Church of the Brethren will gather in New York City and Washington, D.C., for the 2009 Christian Citizenship Seminar. The focus for the seminar will be modern-day slavery. The event is sponsored by the Church of the Brethren's Youth and Young Adult Ministry and the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.

"Most of us think of slavery as an institution that does not exist anymore, but many experts estimate that there are approximately 27 million human beings who are currently being held in slavery around the world," said an announcement of the event. "What would Jesus do? What does God call us to do in light of these persons forced to perform domestic and agricultural work as well as to become prostitutes or soldiers against their will? We will examine the current status of slavery today and what our Christian faith invites us to do for ‘the least of these.’"

Brochures are now available from the Church of the Brethren's Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office, call 800-323-8039.

Source: 8/13/2008 Newsline

Ministry Summer Service participants complete internship program.

Eight young adults are completing internships with the Church of the Brethren’s Ministry Summer Service program, which is sponsored by the Office of Ministry and by the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office.

College students who are completing internships include Sarah Dotter of Atlantic Northeast District, Meredith Barton of Middle Pennsylvania District, Dylan Haro of Pacific Southwest District, Andy Duffey and Gabe Dodd of Mid-Atlantic District, John Michael Pickens of Southern Pennsylvania District, Melisa Grandison of Western Plains District, and Samantha Carwile of South/Central Indiana District.

The eight interns began their summer experience with an orientation May 30-June 4 at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. Throughout the orientation they participated in Bible studies and sessions on topics such as leadership, the call to ministry, spiritual disciplines, Brethren heritage, and personality and work styles. The adults who served as mentors for these young adults joined the orientation for the last two and a half days.

Following the orientation, four students went to Church of the Brethren congregations to serve as assistant summer pastors. The students served at San Diego (Calif.) Church of the Brethren, Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, Happy Corner Church of the Brethren in Clayton, Ohio, and Easton (Md.) Church of the Brethren. Four other interns served as the denomination’s Youth Peace Travel Team, visiting Church of the Brethren camps to talk about Jesus’ teaching of peace.

Congregations interested in having a Ministry Summer Service intern next summer are invited to contact Chris Douglas, director of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office, at cdouglas_gb@brethren.org.

Source: 8/13/2008 Newsline

Anniversary Writing Contest for Youth is announced.

The 300th Anniversary Committee is sponsoring an Anniversary Writing Contest for Youth, grades 6-12, on the theme, "Why will you continue to be part of the Church of the Brethren?"

"Are you passionate about your faith?" the committee asked Brethren youth in the announcement. "Do you have a deep appreciation for the Church of the Brethren? Do you enjoy thinking and writing? If so, we have an opportunity for you."

Entries are limited to one page in length and can be in the form of poetry, short stories, or essays. The following information should be on the entry: name, grade, congregation, and district. Contact information for the author should be submitted on a separate sheet of paper. The deadline for submissions is June 1. Entries will be exhibited at Annual Conference in Richmond, Va., in July, and some may be published in "Messenger" magazine. Entries will not be returned to participants.

Submissions should be sent to Lorele Yager either electronically at loreleyager@aol.com or by mail to 425 Woodland Place, Churubusco, IN 46723.

Source: 3/27/2008 Newsline Extra

YOUTH PEACE TRAVEL TEAM 2008 IS ANNOUNCED

Samantha Carwile, Gabriel Dodd, Melisa Grandison, and John-Michael Pickens will make up this year’s Church of the Brethren Youth Peace Travel Team. The group will give peace programs at a variety of camps and conferences this summer.

Carwile is a student at Manchester College in North Manchester, Ind., majoring in peace studies and sociology, and is a member of Anderson (Ind.) Church of the Brethren. Dodd is a student at Bridgewater (Va.) College majoring in communications and peace studies, and is a member of Bethany Church of the Brethren in Farmington, Del. Grandison is a student at McPherson (Kan.) College studying elementary education and Spanish, and is a member of Quinter (Kan.) Church of the Brethren. Pickens is a student at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., currently studying in Thailand, and is a member of Mechanicsburg (Pa.) Church of the Brethren.

This summer the team will travel to camps around the denomination, as well as to Annual Conference in Richmond, Va., and National Young Adult Conference in Estes Park, Colo. The Youth Peace Travel Team is an annual program sponsored by the Outdoor Ministries Association, On Earth Peace, and the Church of the Brethren General Board.

Spring Retreat - February 29 - March 2

Twenty-one people from five congregations were part of this year's spring district youth retreat, held Feb. 29 to March 2 at the Decatur Church of the Brethren.

The 300th anniversary took center stage for this retreat, with the theme "300!: Remembering Our Brethren Heritage." Logan Condon from the General Board's Brethren Historical Library and Archives showed some of the changes from past to present with a Powerpoint presentation and stories from Brethren history.

James Gibble-Keenan, the district's Youth Heritage Team member, shared other glimpses from history in an afternoon session, and the Saturday evening worship featured vignettes of the early Brethren in Germany, Sarah Righter Major, and Ted Studebaker.

Our expert chef, Jewel McNary, again provided several good meals during the weekend, and Saturday afternoon was spent at the Decatur YMCA for swimming and other recreation.

Many thanks go to the Decatur church for hosting us so well, including a fellowship time after worship on Sunday, and to the advisors at nearby Cerro Gordo for setting up the use of the YMCA.

The fall retreat will be held during district conference, Nov. 7-9 in Peoria. Leadership will be provided by On Earth Peace.

Also, don't forget to register for youth camps at Camp Emmanuel and Camp Emmaus this summer!

Online Workcamp Registration

Registration for the 2008 workcamps offered by the Church of the Brethren General Board begins online early tomorrow morning, on Jan. 3 at 12:01 a.m. central time. To register go to www.brethrenworkcamps.org. The workcamp program is part of the Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the General Board. Staff issued a reminder today of some things to remember when registering: individual congregations are asked to make up no more than a third of the participants of any one workcamp; although those registering will receive a confirmation e-mail, this may not guarantee a place in the workcamp because registration is not complete until the $100 non-refundable deposit is received; deposits are due within seven days of registration. “We at the workcamp office have been anxiously awaiting this day for months,” said the staff. “Thank you for your submissions, questions, recommendations, and all of the other things you do to help us prepare for the 2008 Workcamps.” The workcamp coordinators for 2008 are Sharon Flaten, Jerry O’Donnell, Jeanne Davies, and Steve Van Houten. Contact the program at 800-323-8039 or cobworkcamps_gb@brethren.org.

Source: 1/02/2008 Newsline

Regional Youth Conference Not to be Held in 2008

The Regional Youth Conference (RYC), normally scheduled in April at Manchester College, will not be held in 2008 according to Dave McFadden, Manchester College Executive Vice President. Declining attendance at this event led organizers to ask how youth and congregations in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan might be better served.

During a meeting with youth pastors from Northern and South/Central Indiana districts, Steve Crain, Manchester College Campus Pastor, and Dave McFadden learned that the traditional late April date conflicts with end-of-year school activities for many youth. Also, the "mini-NYC" approach spreads leadership and participants too thinly.

McFadden says, "We know there will be disappointments with our decision but we hope this disappointment is a good sign that there is ongoing interest in a six district event. As the interests and schedules of youth change, we want to adapt creatively to those changes." McFadden relates other possibilities will be considered and a group will be charged with planning an event in the fall of 2008 or spring of 2009. Questions are welcomed and may be directed to Dave McFadden by email at dfm@manchester.edu or by phone at 260-982-5050.

Junior High Winter Retreat: January 18-19

From: Lisa Fike <frptcob@juno. com>

I am sending this Email to you for advanced notice and will send more information to the churches.

Illinois Wisconsin District Jr. High Winter retreat will be January 18-19, 2008 starting at 7:00 on Friday and closing January 19 at 4:00pm. We will meet at First Church of the Brethren in Peoria .

Jr. High Youth grades 6-9 are welcome. Yes, I realize that 9th graders are in high school but I have had requests to include them especially for those who are not quite ready to go to the high school events.

This event begins AFTER supper time on Friday, so participants will need to have eaten before they arrive. We will ask everyone to bring snacks to share; a Brethren (snack) potluck.

We expect at least one adult, at the event, for every 6 youth. Please do not send youth without adult chaperons. If you are send both male and female youth send male and female chaperons. Adults will be asked to participate in all events.

There will be a nominal fee for participants to cover food and supplies. Mark your calendars. More information will be coming soon.

Brethren workcamp ministry experiences successful expansion.

An expansion of the workcamp ministry of the Church of the Brethren General Board has been very successful, according to coordinator Steve Van Houten. This past summer, the ministry involved about 875 participants in a total of 37 workcamps that took place across the US and internationally.

"We really jumped into it this year," Van Houten said. The most workcamps held in previous years was in 2005, when 26 events involved about 650 people. Another aspect of the expansion was the number of workcamps offered for different age groups, from junior high through youth to young adults, to intergenerational events that also involved older adults. The workcamp ministry also offered "custom" workcamps for congregations that could send a large enough group to hold a workcamp by themselves (at regular workcamps only a third of participants can come from the same church). Also new this year was the widest variety of locations ever offered.

"It was a very positive year, from the youth who responded," Van Houten said, adding that, "the adult leadership that stepped up and came on board was wonderful."

New locations offered the opportunity to partner with Brethren camps, including Camp Mardela in Maryland and Camp Wilbur Stover in Idaho, and with Brethren Disaster Ministries at the Hurricane Katrina rebuilding sites in the Gulf coast. Other new locations included a home building site in an Appalachian area in southeastern Kentucky with Homes, Inc., which saw the largest single group this summer with 52 participants. Five workcamps were held in the Caribbean including the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. Other international workcamps were held in Mexico and Guatemala.

The responses from those receiving the service of workcampers signaled success to Van Houten. "People are amazed that the youth workcampers will pay to come to work," he said. Community members always want to know why the youth are there, he said.

Van Houten described a conversation on St. Croix with a Muslim man who managed the lumberyard that supplied materials for the workcamp. "He scratched his head," Van Houten recalled. "He said, are these bad kids doing community service? I explained these are good kids who want to be here. He struggled to understand.... He said, your kids come here and do things for people who aren’t even neighbors, this is amazing."

At the end of the conversation, the manager insisted on giving Van Houten a hug, instead of a simple handshake, saying, "We are brothers."

Another unmistakeable sign of success for Van Houten came during a "custom" intergenerational workcamp held for Plymouth (Ind.) Church of the Brethren in Keyser, W.Va. Ages ranged from the teens to the mid-70s. "Those 26 people will always have a bond that they wouldn’t have otherwise," Van Houten said. He had asked the adults to take the role of mentors, to share their knowledge and skills with the youth, and encouraged the youth to be the ones actually doing most of the work. The youth responded with affirmation, he said, even expressing the wish that their grandparents and parents would spend that kind of time with them. "Work-wise we might not have gotten quite as much done," Van Houten said, "but I think in the end they all saw the benefit."

Van Houten has resigned as coordinator for the program as of the end of the year, to return to pastoral ministry. Jeanne Davies begins in mid-January as fulltime coordinator. Sharon Flaten and Jerry O'Donnell are working with the ministry as Brethren Volunteer Service workers.

The General Board will offer 26 workcamps next summer, 2008, on the theme "Strengthen My Hands" (Nehemiah 6:9). Locations will include the Brethren Disaster Ministries rebuilding projects on the Gulf coast; the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.; the Dominican Republic (co-sponsored by the Brethren Revival Fellowship); Roanoke, Va.; Richmond, Va.; Ashland, Ohio; Baltimore, Md.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Harrisburg, Pa.; Idaho; Broadway, Va.; Castaner, P.R.; Neon, Ky.; Kyle, S.D.; the eastern shore of Maryland; Keyser, W.Va.; Chicago, Ill.; St. Croix; Reynosa, Mexico; and North Fort Myers, Fla.

For a 2008 brochure contact cobworkcamps_gb@brethren.org or 800-323-8039, or go to www.brethrenworkcamps.org for more information. Registration for the 2008 workcamps begins online at www.brethrenworkcamps.org as of 12:01 a.m. (central time) on Jan. 3.

Source: 11/21/2007 Newsline

Counter-Recruitment Networking Call

On Earth Peace has announced its next counter-recruitment networking call for those working against military recruitment, on Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. Pacific time/1 p.m. eastern time. The networking calls are for both new and experienced peacemakers to share experiences and receive support for their work resisting military recruitment and generating alternatives for youth. Each call offers opportunities for sharing, as well as a "strategy session," and spiritual and theological reflections on counter-recruitment. Find more information about the calls at www.brethren.org/oepa/programs/peace-witness/counter-recruitment/NetworkingCalls.html. Reserve a place in the Dec. 13 call by e-mailing mattguynn@earthlink.net.

Source: 11/21/2007 Newsline

WCC Essay Contest: Making a Difference Together

Students of theology and young theologians are being invited by the World Council of Churches (WCC) to participate in an essay competition to mark the council's 60th anniversary. Participants are invited to address the theme, "Making a Difference Together--Prospects for Ecumenism in the 21st Century." The best six essays will be presented by their authors at an international consultation in Switzerland in late 2008. Other selected essays will be published by the WCC. Essays should be written in English, but will be judged for the quality of their contribution and not their language proficiency. With a length of 5,000-6,000 words, the essays should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere. More details are at www.oikoumene.org/contest. The deadline is Feb. 28, 2008.

Source: 11/21/2007 Newsline

Camp Alexander Mack: news Year's Eve

Camp Alexander Mack near Milford, Ind., is planning a New Year’s Eve event for the 300th anniversary. "Wouldn't it be great if 300 young people (who represent the next generation of the church) gathered together in one place to celebrate this milestone in our history by ushering in the New Year?" said an invitation from the camp. The event is being planned for 300 junior high and senior high youth. It will begin at 2 p.m. on Dec. 31, and conclude at 1 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2008. The theme is "Fan the Flame." Indoor and outdoor activities are planned including worship, an "Olympics," talent shows, and a Times Square-like countdown to the New Year with the dropping of a lighted ball at midnight followed by a hike to the "living cross" for devotions, and continuing on with activities throughout the night. The fee is $55 ($45 before Dec. 10). T-shirts cost $10. Contact the office at Camp Mack for brochures, 574-658-4831.

Source: 11/21/2007 Newsline

Christian Citizenship Seminar to examine genocide.

The 2008 Christian Citizenship Seminar will be held on the topic of genocide, focusing on the Darfur region of Sudan, with a scripture theme from Matthew 5:44. The event for high school youth is scheduled for March 29-April 3, in New York City and Washington D.C., sponsored by the Brethren Witness/Washington Office and the Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the General Board.

This year’s seminar is being planned to increase understanding of the relationship between faith and our response to the violence of genocide. The event is open to all high school youth and adult advisors. Registration will be limited to the first 100 youth and adults who apply. The $350 registration fee includes lodging for five nights, dinner on the opening evening, and transportation from New York to Washington.

Register at www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/CCS.htm. Registration will be cut off by Feb. 28, 2008 or as soon as 100 registrations have been received. Contact Youth and Young Adult Ministries at 800-323-8039 or COBYouth_gb@brethren.org.

Source: 11/07/2007 Newsline

2008 National Young Adult Conference

National Young Adult Conference is offering a gift certificate option through the Youth and Young Adult Ministries Office of the General Board. Family and friends of young adults can purchase a gift certificate for 50 percent ($162.50) or 100 percent ($325) of the registration cost. "As Christmas is approaching, consider giving the gift of National Young Adult Conference to your favorite young adult!" said coordinator Rebekah Houff. Visit www.nyac08.org for more information, or contact Houff at 800-323-8039 ext. 281 or rhouff_gb@brethren.org.

Source: 11/07/2007 Newsline

IL/WI District Jr. High

From: Lisa Fike [mailto:revsfike@ hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 9:47 AM
Subject: IL/WI District Jr. High

Amazing things happen when God is a part of Conference! Those of you who heard the report from the Jr. Highs at the conference about National Jr. High Conference will perhaps remember that I made a comment that Brian Archer and I are ready to launch a District Jr. High revival. After that comment, several of you said you had Jr. High youth that would like to be involved! Praise the Lord!!

Details will be coming, but the early news is that we are planning a District Jr. High (Grade 6-7-8) Winter retreat sometime in January.

We are most likely looking at a Friday night Saturday event. Brian and I are both serving our congregations as pastor and feel that we need to be in attendance at our churches on Sunday.

For Jr. High Kids one overnight is usually enough...(for the Leaders) If you would like to be in on the planning for this or other events, please let me know.

Next year at District conference may we have 10, 12, or more Jr. high age students.

Blessings for today and always,

Lisa

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

"Encountering God On the Way"



About 20 people took part in this year's fall district youth retreat, held during district conference in Freeport. Thanks to the Freeport Church of the Brethren for providing space for the event!

Seth Hendricks, who coordinated music for the 2006 National Youth Conference and last year's Regional Youth Conference, was the guest leader for the weekend on the theme "Encountering God on the Way." Seth is currently a student at Bethany Theological Seminary and made the long drive up from Richmond, Ind. The three sessions took place in a worship setting, with Jewel McNary, Walt Wiltschek, and Bill Williams providing meditations on encountering God through prayer, through everyday moments and places, and through scripture.

The weekend also included a service project in Freeport, several good meals, some time for games and recreation, and a Sunday morning insight session on the district's youth ministry. The youth also joined district conference for opening and closing worship services and the Saturday evening concert---after which they served ice cream as a fundraiser for the district.

The spring youth retreat (for youth currently in grades 9-12 and advisors) is scheduled for Feb. 29 to March 2 at Decatur Church of the Brethren. Watch www.cobyouth.org for details.

Waynesboro Peace Retreat

Senior high youth are invited to Waynesboro (Va.) Church of the Brethren on Nov. 16-18 for a peace retreat on the theme, "A Kingdom that Cannot Be Shaken." Susan Chapman (program director at Camp Bethel) and Susanna Farahat (coordinator for peace education at On Earth Peace) will lead youth in a weekend of energizing sessions based on Hebrews 12:18: "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." Youth will have an opportunity to discuss the questions brought up by this scripture: How do we worship acceptably? What does it mean to be part of "a kingdom that cannot be shaken"? How can we accept the challenge that Jesus’ call to discipleship presents, in a world of diversity? In addition to times for study and worship, participants will also enjoy food, fellowship, and recreation time with youth from across the Virlina and Shenandoah Districts. Registration forms are available online at www.onearthpeace.org. For more information contact Susanna Farahat at 410-635-8706 or sfarahat_oepa@brethren.org, or Terrie Glass (host) at 804-439-0478 or t.glass@comcast.net.

Source: 10/10/2007 Newsline

Junior High Sunday, 11/4/2007, will focus on ‘Amazing Race’ theme.

The Church of the Brethren celebrates Junior High Sunday on Nov. 4 this year. The event is sponsored by the Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Church of the Brethren General Board. The theme for this year’s Junior High Sunday is the same as the theme for the National Junior High Conference that was held on June 15-17, "The Amazing Race: Continuing the Work of Jesus," based on Luke 9:23.

A website offers resource materials for congregations to observe the special Sunday, including ways to involve junior high youth in leading worship. The materials available at www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/YouthSundayJ.htm include a Bible study by Chris Douglas, worship resources by various writers such as calls to worship and prayers, a skit on the Lord’s Prayer, a skit on the "Amazing Race" (alluding to video clips from the National Junior High Conference that may be ordered from David Sollenberger at 717-867-4187 or LSVideo@comcast.net; cost is $10), a sheet about "Worship our Privilege," and an outline for a Junior High Retreat to help youth groups plan for the Sunday.

Not included on the website, but available from David Sollenberger is a video scripture jam on the Luke 9:23 passage, in DVD format (call 717-867-4187 or e-mail LSVideo@comcast.net; cost is $10 including shipping). For more information contact the Youth and Young Adult Ministries at 800-323-8039 ext. 297.

Source: 10/10/2007 Newsline

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.