New Young People’s Ministry Council Members
In early August, the members of the Young People’s Ministry Council reviewed applications submitted from youth around the Susquehanna Conference to be part of this leadership team. After prayer and discussion, the council approved all applicants to become new student members of the Young People’s Ministry Council.We added to our team Hayden, a 12th grader from the Altoona District, who has been attending and serving with us at Annual Conference for several years. We are excited that he has now become an official member of the team. Melissa, an 11th grader from the Williamsport District, has also been attending Annual Conference with us for the last two years. She brings a great attitude of service and behind the scenes leadership. Last, but not least, we bring in some young talent in Lydia, an 8th grader from the Harrisburg District. Lydia has had leadership experience in her local church but is looking to expand her leadership skills and opportunities. We are honored to be a part of her growth as a Christian leader.
Remaining on the team for the upcoming year are Lyndsey, Julia, Jacob, and Alex, our other senior, from the Harrisburg District, Hannah and Julia from the Lewisburg District, Robbie from the Altoona District, and Morgan from the State College District.
The council also consists of ten adults from around the conference serving in a variety of capacities to support these young people in their leadership. The ministries of our students would not be possible without the many hours of support and service these adults provide. Please pray for our students as they continue to explore their faith and the way God is calling them to lead the conference in youth ministry over the coming months.
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Recalculating
If you have ever missed a turn or ended up on Maple STREET instead of Maple AVENUE, then you know how frustrating it can be to be lost. Without proper directions or clear road signs it can be easy to end up somewhere you don’t want to be. This is also certainly true for our spiritual journey, as well as any road trip we might take. Last year the Young People’s Ministry Council came alongside the teens of our conference to talk about how we don’t struggle alone, where God is when we struggle, and how we can depend on God even in the midst of our worst days. We continue this journey of faith with our young disciples, focusing this year on finding the way. At the, “Recalculating” Youth Rallies, we will encourage students to “Think for yourself. Explore your path. Grow your faith,” through worship, group activities, small group discussion, and a mission project.The YPMC held the first of four youth rallies Sunday, October 22, at Good Shepherd UMC in Tyrone.
Registration is open for the remaining three event dates and locations, as listed below. We hope that your church will join the ride with us and our teens on this faith journey.
January 7, 2018 (snow date January 14)
Shepherdstown UMC
1934 S. York St., Mechanicsburg
Registration deadline - January 2
February 11, 2018 (snow date February 18)
Shavertown UMC, 163 N. Pioneer Ave., Shavertown
Registration deadline - January 31
April 8, 2018
Watsontown UMC
1319 8th Street Dr., Watsontown
Registration deadline - March 28
http://igniteyoungpeople.org/index.php/events/recalculating
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Young People’s Ministry Summer Mission Experience
Over the past few years the Young People’s Ministry has been encouraging teens in our conference to be in mission with one another. We have held mission days, as well as offered many of our churches grants for mission trips. We are hoping to take another step in the mission direction by offering a small mission trip to Henderson Settlement June 24-30, 2018.
Our goal for the trip is to create an experience where teens will be highly involved in the planning and leadership, training them to be able to co-lead trips for their own congregations. Those going on the trip will be asked to lead in many ways throughout our time together.
We are not trying to provide a mission trip for youth groups to attend, but are creating an opportunity for teens from smaller congregations, teens with a passion for mission, or teens craving leadership training a chance to shape their mission experience. If you are interested in a mission trip for your youth group, please contact Curt Knouse, our VIM director, and he will happily help you find a place to serve.
Please keep this mission experience in mind as you are working with your students this school year. If you had a youth that was highly impacted by a trip this summer, encourage him/her to join us. If you won’t have enough youth for a full trip next summer, join our group. We hope this will be a great learning experience for everyone involved.
Applications can be found on our Web site, igniteyoungpeople.org, and must be completed by January 2, 2018.
Dates: Sunday, June 24, 2018 - Saturday, June 30, 2018. Application deadline: January 2, 2018.
Cost: Students $375; Adults $150 (Includes travel, lodging, meals (on site), fellowship activity).
Available spaces: 20 youth, 7 adults.
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This international trip will be going to Costa Rica. We will be based out of the Methodist Rural Farm outside Quesada, a town north of San Jose, Costa Rica. The team’s primary work will be construction; however, no previous construction experience is required. Our service with others while in the country is not the only goal of the trip. We are hoping that this trip will encourage our young adults to become trained VIM team leaders and begin co-leading their own trips in future years.
Applications are due by January 2, 2018. and can be found at igniteyoungpeople.org. The total cost of the trip is $1,650, which includes airfare, lodging, meals, and transportation in country. A valid passport and proper vaccinations will be necessary to attend.
For more information, questions, or to get an application, email Curt Knouse, Director VIM, at cknouse@susumc.org.
Volunteers in Mission and Young People’s Ministry International Mission Trip
The Susquehanna Conference Volunteers in Mission and Young People’s Ministry are partnering together to sponsor a ten-day trip to Central America for young adults interested in serving God. The 15 person team is open to any young adult between the ages of 18-30.This international trip will be going to Costa Rica. We will be based out of the Methodist Rural Farm outside Quesada, a town north of San Jose, Costa Rica. The team’s primary work will be construction; however, no previous construction experience is required. Our service with others while in the country is not the only goal of the trip. We are hoping that this trip will encourage our young adults to become trained VIM team leaders and begin co-leading their own trips in future years.
Applications are due by January 2, 2018. and can be found at igniteyoungpeople.org. The total cost of the trip is $1,650, which includes airfare, lodging, meals, and transportation in country. A valid passport and proper vaccinations will be necessary to attend.
For more information, questions, or to get an application, email Curt Knouse, Director VIM, at cknouse@susumc.org.
