Adult Training Day

A day dedicated to training adults who work with youth in core concepts and guidelines. 

The goal of this training day is to insure that adults working with youth ministries are 
prepared to maintain the highest quality programs.  The training will review concepts 
underlying all youth ministries, plus cover the basic guidelines for diocesan youth events 
and leaders. 

The training is intended to cover two  groups of adult leaders: 

• This training is REQUIRED for anyone who works with any  diocesan youth event or 

                    program (Camps, Happening, Journeys, Bishop's Ball, Bishop's Overnight, etc). 

• It is designed to support and train adults working with youth in the congregational setting. 

There is no cost for the training. 

You should bring a lunch with you. 

Date : Saturday, December 7, 2013 

Time : 9 AM to 3 PM 

Location - Church of the Good Shepherd, 

96 Jewett Parkway, Buffalo 

Registration Required.  Download registration form HERE 

or register online HERE

Questions? 

E-mail - Eyouthwny@gmail.com 

Phone - (716)320-0733

Safe Church Training Date - December 4

The next scheduled Safe Church Training event in the Diocese of Western New York is scheduled for December 4, 9a-4p at Trinity Church, 371 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo.  There is no fee for this training.  The training is done in two sections.

• The Church: A Safe Place for Children will run from 9 am till Noon.
• The Church: A Safe Place for Adults will run from 1 pm till 4 pm

Sign in will take place at 8:30 and it is important that people be in place to begin promptly at 9.

You can take just one of the two sections if you choose.  If you are doing both you will need to bring a brown bag lunch.

Pre-registration is required!  A minimum of 10 registrations for each section are needed in order for each course to be offered on this date.

Online Registration Here

(Go to www.episcopalwny.org and look under 

"Diocesan Life" and "Educational Opportunities")

General Convention Day 5

Sunday is a slow day at GC.  We got to sleep in!  First event is the United Thank Offering in gathering for the whole church which is always impressive.  The service was very good with some Taize chant added in so it was better.  After that it was a free event at the ballpark.  Everything was free, food, games, various kinds of "stuff".  You could make a donation or several donations and all the money went to three dioceses - Haiti, one in Brazil and one in Africa.  It was actually a lot of fun.

Still had a good walking day - 15,672 steps so just over 7.5 miles.  I'm happy to report that my feet and legs are holding up well.

The weather remains hot but it's dropped down into the high 80s more often so that makes it a bit more bearable.

After the fun outside it was back inside for a single legislative session.  So an easy day as far as the work goes.  Afterwards various dioceses and provinces had evening parties.  I went with the Province II youth to the provincial dinner.  Introduced them to various folks until they were tired out (took about an hour) and then we went home.

I was so tired I was sent to bed.  I complied.

One of the things that folks don't realize about GC is that it is both long and hard.  The days start at 7 AM with committee meetings many days and can go until 10 PM.  For a couple days that's fine but for 9 days in a row it's just brutal.  There is a real need to pace yourself but even then by Monday or Tuesday people really begin to drag.  If you're not careful you can even get sick.  We've had a variety of folks have exactly that problem at the convention so far.  For the Deputies if they really start to drag they can have an alternate take their place on the floor.  The GCOYP don't have alternates so we adults try to keep our eyes and ears open for when they need a break.  The young people are pretty good about admitting when they need to stand down.

By the way the performance not only of GCOYP but of the young adult deputies this year has been tremendous.  Articulate, prepared and confident they are taking their place as leaders early.  And that is great news.

A Retreat for Adults Working with Adults

Adult Youth Leaders Retreat 

Tuesday, September 27 to Friday, September 30
Led by Jennifer Gamber and Fran McKendree

(I spent part of my sabbatical last year at Holy Cross Monastery.  It is an amazing place and this retreat is led by a couple of really wonderful folks)

For the past four years, youth ministers from across the country for a time of worship, prayer, study, and fellowship within the sacred rhythm of the Benedictine monastic community at Holy Cross.  This year, we will explore our baptismal waters made alive with the current of God’s blessings.  To what unexpected places have we been taken?  What blessings have we poured into the lives of others? How have these blessings washed back on our shores seeking to be gathered and given out again?
In the morning, we will gather in song and begin our program together with study, sharing and reflection.  In the afternoon, participants can choose among several options including personal reflection, praying the labyrinth, walking, and time for rest.  Each evening, we engage in a guided meditation that participants can bring back to the youth at their churches.
Singer/songwriter Fran McKendree leads the group in song throughout the day and into the evening.  This retreat offers a time of restoration and contemplation for youth ministers who seek to fill their wells in preparation to feed the souls of the teens they serve.  Come be refreshed by God’s living water on the banks of the Hudson River.
Fee: $320, Deposit: $80
 Reservations