Insight Newsletter
Vol. 1, Issue 1 | October 1997 |
5,012 in '98A Challenge from the NYC Coordinator: HEY YOUTH!! Have you ever, on a Sunday morning, sat in a pew and wondered how you could be noticed by your church? You attend church regularly, but do not really have any form of leadership. Right? Well, in 1994, I am sure youth were feeling the same way. But at the conclusion of NYC '94, all of that changed. Youth who attended NYC went home with their heads high because their conference was the biggest Brethren gathering that year. Finally, these youth felt they had been noticed. NYC was even better attended than Annual Conference.
Anyway, I was sitting here in my office a few months ago, and guess what, I read that the Mennonites held a conference that 5,011 youth attended. Of course, I started thinking about ways of reaching our new and increased attendance goal of 5,012 participants. Do you think that we can reach it? From what I have been hearing, Brethren youth are excited about this conference. I am posing a challenge to each and every youth group to try and increase your church's attendance from last NYC. If we all work together at the local level, we should have no problem reaching our denominational goal of 5,012 youth!
Registrations are coming!
Yes, that's right. Just as you are reading this, registration forms for NYC '98 are heading out all over the country to the eager youth and advisors from the Church of the Brethren. Don't get too anxious, though--you can't turn them in until January 1, 1998. That doesn't mean you can't fill them out and get everything ready to go, including your $125 deposit.
You may notice a difference with registration forms this time around. Instead of filling in the blanks, you'll be filling in the boxes. These new forms are designed for easy registration by allowing the information to be read by computer and printed out on a disk. This new technology should make NYC registrations more accurate and reliable. If you have any comments, please direct them to the NYC office.
Registration forms will be accepted from January 1 - May 1, 1998. The cost of NYC is $315, which includes food, lodging, and all on-campus programs. All money is due by May 1. Registrations postmarked by March 1 will get a special bonus of a FREE NYC T-SHIRT!! In order to register, you must fill out an original registration form (no copies, please) and send in your $125 deposit. You can expect to get a confirmation packet with tons of information about NYC 2-4 weeks after you've registered. Now that you've heard the new, RUN--DON'T WALK to your nearest Church of the Brethren to obtain your registration form and become a part of NYC '98 history!
Houses!
Yes, we are continuing the tradition of Habitat for Humanity at NYC '98 by building two houses as the conference service project. This great project is in its infant stages of planning, but InSight will keep you updated on all the plans. Look for more information about this and other ways to serve in coming installment.
Colorado Fun
When people think of Colorado, the first vision that comes to mind is that of the Rocky Mountains. We are going to provide ample opportunity for youth to participate in various types of recreation while in Ft. Collins such as: hiking in Estes Park, volleyball tournament, and use of basketball and tennis courts, soccer fields, a fitness center, and a swimming pool. What a life NYC '98 youth are going to be able to lead. Everything seems better when done at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.
NYC Cabinet
When we speak of the National Youth Cabinet, we are speaking about a pretty unique group. We are the only denomination that allows youth to plan their own conference. The cabinet is in the process of working on plans for NYC '98, and has only three meetings to get this done. At times we struggle over what youth are interested in. It is with the help of this fun cabinet that the NYC Coordinators are able to put plans for our conference into action.
Speak to Me
The 1997-98 National Youth Cabinet has been hard at work planning NYC '98, and has had the chance to meet twice. We have at this point compiled a list of speakers who will be leading us through this conference. The names of these leaders include: the NYC Coordinators, Ted & Lee, Milton Garcia, Debbie Eisenbise, David Radcliff, Paul Grout, Judy Mills Reimer, Paul Mundey, and two youth from our denomination. It is our hope that you will be able to leave NYC having a better understanding, through the leadership of these individuals, how we as Brethren can live "...with Eyes of Faith."
...with Eyes of Faith
This is the theme for the '98 NYC, based on 2 Corinthians 5:7, "...for we walk by faith, not by sight." The NYC cabinet chose the theme to focus youth toward recognizing how their faith colors their view of the world. As we discuss and explore this theme, we hope NYC will help both youth and the larger church body to become active members in the community of God's creation.
Speech Contest Open to Youth
Would you like the opportunity to speak at NYC, to share with other Brethren youth your thoughts on the theme of the conference? It's just your luck that once again the NYC Office is holding a speech contest to give you the opportunity to speak your mind! The two winners of the contest will speak during one of the morning worship services.
Any youth attending NYC is eligible to write an 8-10 minute speech based on the theme, "...with Eyes of Faith," and one of the following scriptures: 2 Cor. 5:7, Hebrews 11:1, or Mark 10:46-52. Both a written copy and an audio copy of your speech must be sent to the NYC Office and postmarked by January 1, 1998, to be considered for the contest.
Surfin' the Net
If you happen to be surfing the net and come up with http://www.tgx.com/cob/nyc98/, you've hit upon the most current, up-to-date information about NYC that can be found anywhere. At our web site we have information about main speakers, the National Youth Cabinet, workshops, service projects, and much more, including a place to voice your opinions. Stay tuned for further bulletins as the site address will be changing in the next few months.
Sit on This!
If you've ever been to a NYC or talked to someone who has, you know that pillows are an important part of the week. Not only are they great for sleeping with, but they're also essential when sitting on the floor of Moby Arena during the exciting worship services. So go wild, go crazy! Make a pillow that says something about you and bring it to NYC. It's a great conversation piece and will make your NYC week more comfortable.
Future issues of NYC InSight will include information about workshops, the CSU campus, and other exciting details about NYC!!
For more information contact:
National Youth Conference
Youth and Young Adult Ministries Office
1451 Dundee Avenue
Elgin, Illinois 60120
(847) 742-5100
Youth/Young Adult Ministries Office
Go back to 1998 National Youth Conference Homepage