The Aquila 03/10
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March 2010 Youth Alive engage engage 2010 in the words of the participants AQUILA THE
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Youth Alive is the official annual High School event for the Cal-Pac Conference of The UMC celebrated in February. In 2010 we had the theme "Engage" which celebrated issues of Diversity, and Multi-Sensory learning.
Transcript of The Aquila 03/10
1
March 2010
Youth Alive
engageengage2010
in the words of the participants
AQUILATHE
2
An A-Team is an opportunity for District Youth Directors, Leaders, and Ministers to gather to support each other with prayer, accountability and be able to plan district events, leadership training in a community oriented setting. Together we also allow for a cross-
pollination of creativity to take place taking Youth and Young Adult Ministry to new levels of excellence and creativity fit for an emerging generation.
g e t t i n g c o n n e c t e d
Monalisa Siofele, [email protected]
Rona Mangayayam, [email protected]
Bernadine Leha’uli, [email protected]
Val Jean Boyd, [email protected]
Allison Mark, [email protected]
Val Weise, [email protected]
Darren Cowdrey, [email protected]
Brian Long, [email protected]
Caroline Dawes, [email protected]
Contact your District Coordinator to get connected today!
Rebecca Hensley, [email protected]
THE AQUILACal-Pac Conference of The UMC
PO BOX 6006
110 S Euclid Ave, Pasadena, CA 91102
626.568.7360 - calpacyoungpeople.org
To post a comment or a note in response to any of the items in this edition send an email to:
Editor: Fernando Alcántar
Hawai’i
long beach
pasadena
los angeles
riverside
san diego
santa ana
santa barbara
conference
check us online
Center for Leadership
Emerging Leaders
p: 626.568.7360
f: 626.796.7297
WELCOME
WHAT’S CRACKIN’!
Spirit Quest 2010
Registrations now available for Spirit
Quest 2010: Time Out
San Diego District
Participate in the 30 HR Famine in April at any
three locations in the district
Los Angeles District
Volunteers needed to staff the 1st LA
District Youth Camp – July 12-16, 2010
Riverside District
Spring Fest 2010 – District Youth & Young
Adult Event May 15th, 10am-2pm @ Hemet
San Diego District
Fundraiser to support District Youth
Camping on April 11th
District Events
Check out what is happening for 2010, from
Summer Camp to District Gatherings.
The Aquila February 2010
The Aquila this month touches on sensitive
issues that speak directly to the relationship
between the higher administration of the church
and Youth & Young Adult programs.
Youth, Young Adults and Youth Directors have
written letters addressed to Senior Pastors
talking about those issues that affect them
directly, with love, maturity, and honesty.
Dear Senior Pastor, … will you listen?
CALENDAR
THE AQUILA
FEBRUARY
QUESTION
Are we listening to Young People?
"Making disciples of Jesus Christ for
the transformation of the world."
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Youth Alive 2010: engage
see move ask touchOver 350 high school youth and chaperones explored several unique cultures and engaged with
one another. We heard profound and powerful stories from speakers and students that spoke of
their personal stories of discovery, challenge and redemption. We were challenged to engage with
their stories and see beyond our own experiences, and open up our minds and hearts to the outside
world.
We were blessed with a very diverse group of individuals who performed and ministered with us in
a powerful and unique way helping us engage with different styles or music, dance, and worship.
what if worship is more than a one hour service?
what if we are actually not that different?
how do they worship in other cultures other than mine?
what if its not about me?
do i hurt for what god hurts for?
does anyone else feel like I do?
engage was designed with the idea that it would be something different that would expose us to something that we are not used to, but if
willing, it would help us understand those who are different than us. It also presented the idea that worship is more than a general meeting. We gathered together five times during Kaleo (greek= to be called, hawaiian=the voice) and we invited people to hear different voices. They were meant to pour strong content unto the participants that would be processed during the rotations, activities, etc, leading into the Open Space on the last day that would give participants the opportunity to talk about whatever was on their hearts and minds.
engage was an experiment, some were deeply moved, some are still deciding, but everyone is taking about it. - Did you engage?
We engaged in fun activities that included a festival with giant inflatables, music, arts, activities, and
more, allowing for a good time of fellowship; rotations that would hep us explore ideas through our
senses; plus special spaces to express our worship through the arts room, prayer room, and the
holy place in Kaleo where we could take our shoes off and walk into God’s presence with freedom.
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“This was a blast!”
what happenedsee move ask touch
This edition of The Aquila focuses on Youth Alive 2010: engage. We took a survey of the event and we’ll let the voices of the participants tell the story.
Was YA an overall great experience?
Strongly Agree: 66%Agree: 16%
Neutral: 7%Slightly Disagree: 7%
Disagree: 4%
Favorite part of the event:
Kaleo: 59%
All of Kaleo: 17%Speakers: 15%
Pursuit and Music: 27%
Open Space: 15%
Interacting w/ Friends: 6%Prayer Room: 6%
Other: 10%
Least favorite part:
Gleam Joel: 21%Nothing: 13%
Sense Rotations: 8%TakeHomeLessons: 7%
Didn’t Answer: 25%
Festival: 4%Ultimate Challenge: 4%
Other: 10%
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“[The Open Stace was] my favorite! Get to know
more about other people's experiences and
stories.
Amazing.”
“My friends & I met a lot of new people and had really good/interesting discussions with them!”
“Had some great discussions. Many of them were quiet or off topic but found one that I really
got to connect to people in.”
“This was one of the most meaningful parts of the
weekend for me. There were things that I had
been wanting to talk about all weekend, a story I
wanted to share, and this was my opportunity :)”
“This was fabulous! We had a wonderful discussion in our group.
Once people began to understand what was going on, it worked
out fabulously. I really hope we get to do this again!”
“My favorite part of the whole weekend.”
each other
engaging with
“It's hard to get that many
teenagers to focus on
something like this so I
think there could be a
better way to get
topics from them
in the
beginning.”
“I loved it for me (I joined a youth leader mom group) and youth loved it too. I would have liked it earlier in the weekend, so that I could have met those folks early and had more opportunity to engage with my peers throughout the weekend.”
“This was WAY more relevant and powerful than I was expecting.”
Youth Alive 2010 gave us several opportunities to engage with peers from across the Conference and talk about issues, our lives, and conversations about where we come from and where we’re going.Activities ranged from a meet and greet, to deeper small group conversations in the Open Space.
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our cultures
engaging with
The Nehemiah Band
Polynesian Luau
Latin Flag Dancing
Pursuit
Mark Stuckey
From gospel, to rap, to hip hop, to acoustic, to rock, to reggae, to pop, and more, the weekend was filled with unique flavors that exposes us to other worlds and helped us engage with them.
The Message Movement
“Each story had a way [of] reaching out to both the youth and attendees.”
“Good to see something different. love seeing the passion and the spirit working within them as they glorify the Lord.”
“Pursuit was great, they were fun to dance and sing to, but I didn't feel like I was really in worship. Again, the only theology in their music was the gospel of the oppressed ("no more shackles, no more chains" etc.) which is awesome, but it too one-sided”
“We loved [Pursuit] and were SO disappointed they didn't have a CD to bring their energy and love of Jesus home with us. I could jam with them every morning and be a better christian because of it. AMAZING!”
“Mark was great! Performed [truly] from the heart!”
“I appreciated the Nehemiah Band addressing the issue of how kids make a decision to stay connected to their church family after they become independent. They sang about angst in religion without losing relationships. This nuance was handled very well. And, their music rocked IMHO!”
“Can't praise all of them high enough. I was inspired to tears, to my surprise, with many of the bands and dancers.
Thank you!”
“The diversity of music programing was refreshing and inviting. Good job!”
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“I was very moved by the interview (students). That was another incredible ordeal, and I think it was great for us to be able to hear about this experience and realize that the devil has an army too, and we just need to be vigilant and keep building God's army up. Fernando is an amazing speaker and always has an inspiring message. Our youth enjoy it whenever Fernando shares with them. Always a pleasure.”
Kaleo #3 had two students share their personal stories of faith in the midst of trial. Reggie shared how God had brought healing from
K a l e o
the speakers
engaging with
studentsspeak
“Riveting! I did enjoy all of them very much..super inspiring every one of them...it hardly seems right to have to rate them in order of preference. I appreciated the way Carolyn Koons rolled into an alter call after her talk...it was so natural and
inviting and impossible to resist, not out of guilt, like some alter calls I have seen, but out of the calling of the Holy Spirit. I felt that Jesus was present with each presenter making His way into every heart in the room through them. Thank you for that
concept and choice of speakers.”
“I felt like most of the Kaleos were about people who had been through really terrible things, and while this was important to hear about, I couldn't really relate to them. I think just one or two "normal" stories in addition to the extreme ones would really help more people connect.”
physical pain recovering from cancer. Daniel shared how God had can turn things around even when family struggles can bring you down.
“Reggie and Daniel’s stories moved me to tears.”
“I appreciated Fernando's approach because he dared mention things like
betrayal and anger - very touching.”
“Fernando's was very well put together and I can feel every single one can relate to every single word he said.”
“Reggie's story was very relatable to the youth. They all don't have the same story but there were parts that could
relate to anyone.”
fernandoalcantar‘
Kaleo #5 closed the event with our Director of Leadership Development for Young People. Fernando brought 7 kids on stage with an array of stories and challenged the audience to see a life as it’d be if these voices and theirs would be silenced.
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bishopswenson
“Carolyn's was obviously powerful, and it was awesome that she made the connection to those of us that weren't necessarily experiencing what she went through, but rather knew someone else who was.”
“The Bishop was cute and peppy, but didn't say anything that my youth remembered.”
“I love Bishop Swenson.”
“My kids like Gleam Joel because he spoke in a language they understood.”
“Carolyn Koons' story numbed me because I can totally relate to some of her experiences.”
“Swenson put a smile on my face.”
“I thought all the speakers were amazing and their stories were moving and inspiring. Fabulous!!!! Loved Carolyn Koons!
And my kids loved Gleam Joel!”
“I really enjoyed all the speakers...The students, Fernando, and the Bishop were awesome!”
“I think that Gleam Joel had a good message. However, I just could not get through his
presentation.”
“Just didn't get Gleam Joel, though I'm sure his heart was right.”
“She presented so much negativity in her life - over and over again, I can't even remember
her message of hope.”
Kaleo #1 started strong with Carolyn Koons, the founder of a 40 year old organization at Azusa Pacific University that’s taken hundreds of young people into the mission field. She shared her life from the ashes of abuse and a broken upbringing,
into a life of light and purpose challenging the youth to reach their world for Christ.
carolynkoons
Kaleo #2 had Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, leader of the California-Pacific Conference of The UMC. She brought an encouragement to the participants to engage with one another and believe that they can do great things through the power of God and unity.
Kaleo #4 had Gleam Joel, European singer/performer of Kenyan decent, founder of the Gleam Center supporting artistic talent in at risk youth. Gleam shared his story of faith along with his personal faults, but through
the mercy of Christ being able to come back home.
gleamjoel
“I had a few youth tell me that they were having a hard time connecting to the speakers--
I think it was because their stories seemed so "BIG" or "heavy".”
“I really enjoyed Bishop Swenson :)”
[9]
BULLETINBOARDConferenceHawai’i DistrictLong Beach District
Los Angeles DistrictPasadena DistrictRiverside District
San Diego DistrictSanta ana DistrictSanta Barbara District
sparksnightSD District UMC Youth Rubio's Fundraiser for Camperships
When: April 11 from 11am-5pm
Where: 3 locations - Mission Valley, Grossmont Center and Encinitas.
Download flyer at calpacyoungpeople.org
What has worked for our youth group in the past is printing a flierand putting one in each bulletin during church the day of the event.If you are 20 feet away from the front door you can also pass outfliers near the location!
Fish tacos and Jesus are always a good combo!
SanDiegodistrict
Sing for the Children
June 13, 2010
California-Pacific Conference, United Methodist Church, Nothing
But Nets, and the Los Angeles Sparks have partnered to put an
end to Malaria in Africa. With each ticket sold we take one step
closer to protencting every child from this deadly disease. For
more information visit calpacyoungpeople.org/news
CONFERENCE JUNIOR HIGH EVENTThis event is designed specifically for Junior Highers with
programming that includes fellowship, worship, games,
small groups, campfires, and fun. This weekend is a fire-
starter for your youth, a jump-start to your Spring ministry,
or a perfect Confirmation Retreat if you need one.
Registration forms now available at: http://
calpacyoungpeople.org
Date: April 23 – 25
Location: Forest Home Camp
Cost: $125 (includes lodging, all meals, and theme t-shirt)
SpiritQuest
[10]
Program:All Riverside District Youth and Young Adults! There will be a BBQ in the Park with tons of activities We will have LIVE Music, softball, volleyball, Frisbee football, and so much more!
Time & Place:Saturday, May 15 from 10am – 2pm at Hemet UMC!
Registration:ALL of this for just $5 per person! Please register by May 1st. Late registrations will be accepted, but the price will increase to $7 per person.Registrations and payments can be mailed to Judy Stoh at Hemet UMC, 530 South Buena Vista Street, Hemet, CA 92543.Download the Registration Form.
Contact:For questions please contact Val Weise (951.683.7831 or [email protected]) or Ron & Judy Stoh (951.658.4448 or [email protected])Check us out online at: calpacyoungpeople.org/events/springfest
SpringFest-RiversideDistrict
I am looking forward to getting to know all of the amazing youth and young adults in our Conference. Here is a little bit about me (don’t worry there isn’t a quiz later). I have been blessed to be married to the most wonderful and supportive man, Aaron (that’s right Erin & Aaron) for the past 2 ½ years. This past summer we welcomed our beautiful daughter, Cora into our family. We live in Orange County with our dog Sadie. My favorite things in life are good friends and good food- preferably together. I love to cook and explore new restaurants. My absolute favorite food is sushi. When I’m not eating - I enjoy reading, watching television, and going to Disneyland. For the past 10 years I have served in local churches with youth, young adults, and children. My ministry has led me to serve in
District camps, conference boards, and various event Design Teams. It has been my joy to help young people along in their spiritual journey. I am so excited to join the Cal-Pac Conference and bring the voice to the local church to the Conference Level. My door (and phone) are always open to hear your story.
See you soon!
Erin Foellmi
CAL-PAC Welcomes new Program Associate for Young People Ministries
LosAngelesDistrictWE NEED YOU… OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW… TO HELP STAFF OUR 1ST L.A.DISTRICT CAMP – JULY 12-16, 2010.
- Come join in our “Journey of Faith” with the high schoolers.- Download and share the staff application form. Commit to be a part of the camping experience.- Please respond to us by FEBRUARY 23rd.- Peace, Blessings & Stay connected to Christ and each other….- Contact: Ms. Val, 310.503-8296
Erin Foellmi has been named the Program Associate for the department of Leadership Development for Young People for the California-Pacific Conference.
