This is actually a commercial video for a British online content company.  But I think it has something profoundly spiritual to say as well.  What do you think?

Our new bishop!

 Check out the video from this amazing day!



Consecration of Bishop R. William Franklin from Laurie Wozniak on Vimeo.

April Youth Commission minutes

Youth Commission

Diocese of WNY

Minutes for meeting of April 17, 2011

St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, Cheektowaga NY

Present- Vicki Zust,Wendy Schumacher, Andrea Brown, Jay Phillippi, Wendy Schumacher, Liz Brauza

Meeting began at 2:01 PM

Open with prayer led by Vicki and Check In

(Small turnout discussed, attributed to holiday travels)

Consecration Lock-in - Up to 54 registrations! 24 High School and 30 Middle School with lots of “new” names. Also representation from some congregations we don't often see – St. Lukes Attica, St Simons Buffalo and St Marks Riverside. Preparations continue for gifts for bishops. PB's is set, Wendy is handling Bishop Garrison's and Jay is pulling together pieces of the bishop-elect. Bishop-elect Franklin is interested in knowing what will be expected of him.

Happening – Noted again that Megan Krawczyk remains as rector and that there will be a reunion at the Cathedral April 7 10-2

Journeys – Updated apps will be available at the Consecration Overnight. Once apps are out then Teaming dates will be set.

Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) – Seth Gregg has been added to the delegation. Hasn't met yet and people getting antsy. Jay and Wendy mis-communicated and Wendy got left out of several key pieces of information. Jay will turn over all necessary information to her first thing next week and she will help delegation get legs underneath them. Then leadership will be turned over to the delegation. Several students have Regents tests on the first day so the group will have to travel later. Will shoot for a meeting on April 26.

Camp – Applications remain at 4. Assuming Easter/Spring Break/Consecration have everyone's attention tied up. A reminder mailing will go out after all that is behind us.

Scholarship- Vicki showed a preliminary poster for fall fundraiser. Need to check with bishop to insure he is OK with concept and with H. Gondree to make sure all our ducks are in a row. Vicki also identified 11 or so grant possibilities. She doesn't have time for that many proposals. Andrea Brown and Liz Brauza volunteered to help out. Giselle Jackman also suggested as person with background in this. Looking for a date to meet and discuss.

Communication – Weekly newsletters are back on regular schedule. Other vehicles being used. Previously noted slip up with Wendy about EYE being addressed first thing next week.

Youth Missioner's Report –

• Job related – Things going about as expected for this time of year and with additional items on schedule.
  
• Personal - Jay's extended family is going through some serious problems and that has affected him. He and his family will be moving to a different home at the end of the month. Is hoping things will finally settle down.
  

Motion to adjourn, all in favor.

Meeting closed in prayer at 3:04PM

Notes taken by Jay Phillippi. Typed by Jay Phillippi

Consecration Overnight Countdown!

If you have been thinking about coming to the Consecration overnight you need to know this:

You must register this week!  After this week registration will be closed!

Because we need to coordinate with the Consecration committee for tickets to the event itself we have a HARD deadline.  Don't put it off and then miss out!  Details below.

Consecration OVERNIGHT

Bishop Bill hopes to see YOU!

(I should really get a picture of the Bishop Elect doing the old recruiting poster pose!)

This is absolutely serious.  He wants to meet as many young people this year as possible.  And he absolutely wants young people to be there, to be part of the consecration.  This is a special occasion for our diocese.  It only happens once every 10-15 years.  So you could be 30 before it happens again (or even older.  Hard to imagine right?)

So we're planning a great fun overnight for grades 6-12 April 29-30 starting at 7:30 PM.  Cost is only $5 but you need to pre-register.  The good news is that you can do that online HERE. There's also a permission slip you can download and mail in.  This is a great chance to meet the new bishop, talk with Bishop Michael, meet the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, create something special for the Consecration itself, play games and then go to the Consecration in the morning if you want (free tickets will be available for you AND your family)  If you have questions send them to
pbresponsewny@gmail.com

Don't forget to register for camp! 

Yeah, still no movement. 

Let me put this more clearly -   WE HAVE EXACTLY 4 CAMP REGISTRATIONS!!!  TOTAL FOR ALL CAMPS COMBINED!!!!!!!  PLEASE GET YOUR REGISTRATION IN SOON!!!!

Brochures were sent to ALL the congregations and you can register on the camp page at EYouthWNY.org (HERE).  There are links for all the other forms you'll need too.  Questions?  Get in touch, all my contact info is at the bottom of the newsletter.

If you have any questions call/text/message/facebook me!

SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

 ¹⁰As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, "What's going on here? Who is this?"  (Matthew 21:10)

Over the years I am always surprised by little verses like these.  They are parts of stories that we think we know perfectly.  But when I go back and read them I find these little extra bits that get glossed over.  At the beginning of Holy Week we all focus on this triumphant entry into Jerusalem and we think of the shouting and cheering and the palms being laid on the road in front of him.  Not everyone was quite that excited.

The reality is that Jesus was an unknown factor to some people back then and he's still an unknown factor to a lot of people today.  And we tend to be afraid of things we don't understand.

There are lots of ways to help people understand who Jesus really is today.  For me the best way is by looking at how his followers live in the world.  How we behave, what we do, what we say and how we deal with not only other followers but how we deal with folks who AREN'T followers too.

Celebrating the Messiah is great.  Think about this.  After the crowd cut down all those palm fronds and threw them all over the street, who cleaned up the mess? 

  Think:  If someone knew nothing about Jesus or being a Christian what would they learn if they watched you for a couple days?

Pray:  Ask God to help you make sure that you not only are a good example of Christ in this world but that you clean up any messes you make along the way.

Do:  Remember that Jesus told us that everything is based on three simple rules.  Love God, Love your neighbors and love one another.   Try living you life that way. 

Peace
Jay
Fun Stuff

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 FORGETTABLE FACT

English naval hero Viscount Horatio Nelson chose to be buried in St. Paul's Church in London rather than in the national shrine of Westminster Abbey because he had heard that Westminster was sinking into the Thames.
POTENT QUOTABLES
   

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; the pessimist fears this is true" - James Branch Cabell "I am not young enough to know everything." - Oscar Wilde    (I just knew you'd all love this one)

Newsletter March 28

There are lots of great events coming up!  And you can register for them RIGHT NOW!  Why wait till the last minute?  Too often that means hassles and delays and worse things.  So take care of them right now.  You'll find links to all the registration sites waiting for you.  Do it today and then you don't have to worry!

Don't forget to register for camp! 

As of the moment I write this we have exactly 4 camp registrations.  For ALL the camps.  I mean I know it's March but come on people!  2 for Senior High, 1 for Junior High and 1 for Sleep Away.  Time to go and talk to your friends!  Remember while this is church camp its available to anyone. 

Brochures were sent to ALL the congregations and you can register on the camp page at EYouthWNY.org (HERE).  There are links for all the other forms you'll need too.



Consecration Overnight! 

Please note the first line below:
So here's the deal.  Bishop-elect Franklin wants to meet you.  Yes, you. 

This is absolutely serious.  He wants to meet as many young people this year as possible.  And he absolutely wants young people to be there, to be part of the consecration.  This is a special occasion for our diocese.  It only happens once every 10-15 years.  So you could be 30 before it happens again (or even older.  Hard to imagine right?)

So we're planning a great fun overnight for grades 6-12 April 29-30 starting at 7:30 PM.  Cost is only $5 but you need to pre-register.  The good news is that you can do that online HERE.  There's also a permission slip you can download and mail in.  This is a great chance to meet the new bishop, talk with Bishop Michael, meet the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, create something special for the Consecration itself, play games and then go to the Consecration in the morning if you want (free tickets will be available for you AND your family)  If you have questions send them to
pbresponsewny@gmail.com


Other events you might want to check out:

Episcopal Day in Narnia -  The folks at St Pauls Harris Hill have arranged for a group rate to see the Narnia exhibit at the Buffalo Science Museum. 

The date is Sunday April 10. Our time is 2 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults and $7 for children. We have to go in as a group, so lets meet in the Science Museum parking lot at 1:45.  

If you are planning on coming we need to know in advance so that we wait for you. Tell your parents or youth leader to email Mother Vicki at paulsrector@gmail.com.


If you have any questions call/text/message/facebook me!

SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

I thought of this as I was surfing the net today and came across something written by a guy name Mike Yaconelli.  He was a pastor of a very small church in California (he called it "...the slowest growing church in America. We started twelve years ago with 90 members and have un-grown to 30.")  The reason for that was that Yac (as everyone called him) made sure there was room for people to be themselves.  In fact the article I came across was called "The Truth Shall Make You Odd".  That image has always appealed to me.  The reality is that actually being a Christian, which means that you love God, you love your neighbors and you love yourself to the best of your ability, makes you odd.  Our culture isn't about caring for one another.  It's every man for himself, looking out for #1, winning. 

We're "odd" because we care.  Being odd is not only OK in our theology it's actually encouraged.

  Think: How can your faith make you odd at school, at home, in your neighborhood (virtual or in real life)?

Pray: Being odd can feel a little strange at times.  Ask God to help you be comfortable being his kind of odd.

Do: What can you do that expresses God's kind of wonderful oddness in your life today and tomorrow?  Go and be odd for God. 

Peace
Jay

Help create the future for Happening!

“The Western New York Happening Board is excited to announce the Blue Ribbon Commission! This is an opportunity for teens and young adults who have participated in the Happening ministry to come together in order to take a fresh look at the ministry and set new goals to achieve as we begin the journey with Bishop Franklin.

This youth ministry offers a life changing event to all teens, from among other teens in the diocese. The weekend experience is only the first step in a spiritual walk that will last throughout our lifetime.

The entire faith community benefits from youth being engaged spiritually, and growing in their walk with the Lord! Join Us on Saturday April 2^nd, 2011 at the new Ministry Center for the Western New York Episcopal Diocese, located at 1064 Brighton Road
Tonawanda, NY 14150. We will tour the new facility and meet from 9:15am – 3:30pm. All participants are asked to bring a snack to share and $3 so that lunch can be provided.

Contact Giselle Jackman, Happening Board Chair at g_jackman@hotmail.com or the Happening Spiritual Advisor, Rev. Harry Grace at (716) 836-3781 or htg385@gmail.com for more information.

Consecration Overnight - The Beginning of a New Dance

If you're in grades 6-12 don't miss out on the chance to get together and have some fun!  We'll be spending the night at the new Diocesan Ministry Center, play some games, learn a little bit about how our church works and, oh by the way, spend some time with Bishop Garrison, Bishop-elect Franklin AND the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church Katherine Jefferts-Schori.  You'll never get a chance like this again!  Afterward you'll have the chance to go to the consecration and watch Bishop-elect Bill become Bishop Bill.

Friday April 29 7:00 PM to Saturday April 30 9:30

Cost is only $5

You must register in advance (to insure food and tickets)

Register HERE

Consecration tickets will be provided for the youth attending AND their parents/siblings

The First Steps of the New Dance

Consecration Overnight with Bishop-elect Franklin, Bishop Garrison AND Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori!

Friday April 29 7 PM to Saturday April 30 at 9:30 AM 

Diocesan Ministry Center

Cost $5 per person

Open to youth in Middle School and High School

Youth and their parents will receive VIP tickets to the consecration on the 30th at UB 

Online Registration

Permission slip

(Download the permission slip and mail it to:

St. Patrick's Episcopal Church

Atten: Wendy Schumacher

1395 George Urban Blvd.

Cheektowaga, NY 14225

 

We're planning a fun event with separate programs for Middle School and High School.  We will work together on some projects and get a chance to meet with our incoming bishop and the Presiding Bishop as well.  Then in the morning we can go to the Consecration event (with families!) to watch this wonderful event in the life of our diocese.

It is very important that you sign up in advance to insure we reserve enough VIP tickets for youth and families.  If you have any questions email us at eyouthwny@gmail.com

 

 

 

Will you be my valentine?

So for those of us who celebrating Valentine's Day I hope you have a wonderful one.  Not everybody is a fan however.  Some people just find it shallow and fake.  Others find great pain when so much attention is focused on "people who are in love" if that's not where they find themselves at that moment.  It can be a bit much I'll grant you. 

For those who find the whole "Hearts and Flowers" stuff irritating/aggravating/painful I have this advice:  Forget about all the "stuff" that comes along with this day.  Remember that it is yet another opportunity to celebrate the love in our lives.  Even if we're the only one who loves us at the moment. That is, of course, never true.  God loves you.  Yep, you.  Right now.  Just the way you are.  No matter how messed up you may think you are God loves you and wants you to be the you He sees in His dreams. 

That's always been one of the hardest parts of the walk in faith for me.  The idea that God loves me despite how screwed up I am, that God loves me through how screwed up I am, that how screwed up I am doesn't deflect God's love for me so much as the width of a hair.  That doesn't mean he doesn't want to work on the screwed up parts.  He certainly does.  It means that while I'm working on those parts God is still there beside me helping me (if I'll let him)

So forget the stuff that hurts you or strikes you as phony.  Remember that you are always God's valentine and do something nice for yourself.)
Peace
Jay

Camp Applications are here!

Are you ready for camp?

I know I am!

Check out the camp page at EYouthWNY where you can now download a camp brochure with application or go directly to the online application.

Applications are being printed even as you read this and will be in the mail to families and congregations starting next week!

REMEMBER Waiting to the Last Minute Puts

Camps at Risk!   Send Your Application In

Right Away!

The Difference between "I Don't Like It" and "It Sucks"

I've been thinking about how often I hear people of all ages announce that something sucks.  When they say that what they mean is that it's without value, it's bad and no one should listen/watch/read/pay attention to it.

The problem is that more often than not they're wrong.  What they're so quick to dismiss is usually just not to their taste.  They don't like it.  For some reason we're less likely to say that, "I don't like that" and that puzzled me a little.  There are lots of things I don't like.  Opera for example.  I've been to an opera performed by quality professional singers.  That was 30 years ago.  I haven't gone back since.  I can recognize the quality of the music (in fact there is some music from operas I kind of like), the quality of the performance by the singers and the orchestra.  But I'd rather do a whole lot of other things rather than sit through another opera.

The problem with making the jump from "I Don't Like It" to "It Sucks" is that it says we've decided that our point of view, our taste in whatever is now the final word on the subject.  That's a rather astoundingly egotistic statement when you think about it.  Now there ARE experts out there in pretty much any subject.  If they want to tell me that something sucks then I guess they have a right. 

But what if I like it anyway?

I hate it when people try and inflict their point of view or taste on me and I bet you do too.  People who think you should only listen to THEIR favorite music and thinks yours is horrible/awful/stupid/cheesy/

whatever.  If they'd like to talk to me about the music or the movies or whatever that's fine.  They might even convince me to change my mind.  Maybe not but at least they'd treat me with a little respect.  In the end, even if we still disagree, at least we know a little more about each other.  This really comes down to the Golden Rule (the great thing about our faith is that there are really only a couple rules and they're all simple) - Treat people the way you want to be treated.  If you love Taylor Swift and your friend loves screamo death metal then treat their music with the same respect you'd like them to treat Taylor Swift's latest.  They love all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and you hate them?  Love the Buffalo Bills or hate all sports?  Treat them the way you want to be treated. That means to care for them, respect them and agree to disagree. Any other way of life just, well, sucks. Peace Jay

Events and Applications!

Lots of things to think about:

Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) - 

June 22-26, St. Paul Minnesota

We need to assemble the delegation that will represent our diocese this summer!  

There will be three very full days of  worship, sharing, praying, learning, singing, and working between the arrival and departure days.  Base price is $275 plus the cost of transportation.  We will travel as a diocesan group.  You need to get your application into the Diocesan Registrar (Jay Phillippi) as soon as possible.

Applications are now available HERE and you should get yours in right away.  There's LOTS of planning to do.  Adult applications are needed too for leaders.  You'll find them at the same link.

Bishop's Ball 2011

February 26, 7-10 PM

Diocesan Ministry Center

1064 Brighton Rd, Tonawanda NY
Admission $8

One more chance to party with Bishop Micheal at the premier social event of our year!  Plus we'll be in a brand new place celebrating the move to the new Diocesan Ministry Center.  If you haven't seen it this is a wonderful new location for us to get together and enjoy.  Bring your friends.  The dress code is formal and it is open to grades 7-12 and like minded adults.

Consecration weekend overnight

April 29-30

Diocesan Ministry Center

We're starting the planning sessions for this event and our hope is to have a great turn out of both Middle School/Junior High and High School students show up.  There will be seperate activity tracks for each age group.  

What we need right now are adults who are willing to help plan and pull off this event.  We are very excited about the prospect of meeting with our new bishop and the Presiding Bishop as well.  Please contact the event coordinator Wendy Schumacher at wschu79 (at) yahoo.com (substitute an @ for the (at))

Camp 2011

We're still finalizing the details but the online application is available for anyone who wants to jump right in.  Prices should about the same as last summer and the dates are pretty much the same as well.  You'll find all the details that we have so far on the CAMPS page at eyouthwny.org.  All the forms are found HERE