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

Youth News 2011!

Happy New Year to everyone!

As I said last time I'm really excited about what's happening this year, so let's get started.

New web page design - Every third or fourth year the design of the website needs to be revisited and this was that time again.  The new design tightens up the organization of the information which will hopefully make it easier to to find (although we caught one goof right off the bat!).  There's more emphasis on video and media and you'll see that continue in the future.  The calendar has been moved to the front page and contains all event dates as they stand at this moment.  The countdown to camps have begun as well.  There is a lot to see!

Please head over to EYouthWNY.org
and check it out.  All ideas and goof catches appreciated!

While you're there check out:
 On the "Events" page:

The Bishop's Ball 2011

February 26, at the Diocesan Ministry Center,

1064 Brighton Rd, Tonawanda

Admission is $8

7-10 PM

Open to grades 7-12

(and like minded adults)
The Episcopal Youth Event (EYE)

June 22-26, 2011,

on the campus of Bethel University St. Paul, MN.
Applications are now available on the Downloads page.
This is a great event that only happens every third year.
For High School aged youth.
Looking for some adult leadership too!
GET YOUR APPLICATIONS IN ASAP!

Plus Happening and Journeys too!

Check out the photos and videos on the Media page, all applications for camp and other events will be on the Downloads page as they come available,  great resources for youth and youth leaders and much much more!  Take some time to explore!

TEXTING SERVICE

We're always looking for better ways of letting people know what's happening.  Texting has become a primary communication tool for our young people so we're adding a texting option in 2011.  We'll notify you of when camp applications are ready, new events, Youth Commission meetings and more.  Plus the texting service allows you text back to us with questions or more information!  If you'd like to be included just send me your phone number and I'll add you to the list.

Youth Commission

 Next meeting is January 16 at St. Patrick's Cheektowaga.
Meeting is from 2-5 PM.
Check past minutes, 3 year objectives and get directions on the Youth Commission page on the website.

New Diocesan Ministry Center

I got the chance to take a quick tour of the new Diocesan Center and Diocesan offices.  WOW!  The new facility is going to be a gorgeous new centerpiece for our life together.  It also offers some great opportunities for youth ministry too!

The new "great hall" on the left (site of the 2011 Bishop's Ball!) and the new entrance being finished on the right.  Click on the photos and you should get a larger version.

EYouthWNY store has new items!

 
 A couple years ago we offered items with our EYouthWNY logo on them to raise funds for youth ministry.  The store is still open with lots of great items including two new ones!  Check out the new gym bag and a new stainless steel water bottle that is half the price of the old one (now under $15).  Got some Christmas cash burning a hole in your pocket?  Grab some EYouthWNY items.

 
EYouthWNY store

A Brand New Look

Check out our web page www.EYouthWNY.org!  We've got a brand new look for 2011.  More details on what's new coming up in the new year, plus more dates for upcoming events, photos of the new Diocesan Ministry Center and more!

Have a happy New Year!

Peace
Jay

The Christmas Story Video

This is from a great congregation based project that brings together art and kids.  Loved the star and the image of mother and child touching fingers in the manger is just beautiful.

A video Christmas card.

Faith and the Buffalo Bills

"I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!! AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO..."

The words are from a tweet by Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson following his awful day against the Steelers.  The dropped pass will follow Stevie for years to come, both personally and professionally.  Until he has the chance to win the big game with a catch (and I believe that he will) THIS is going to be the play for which he is remembered.   And that’s really too bad.  Prior to this game Stevie Johnson has been an incredible addition to the Bills and a lot of fun to watch.

What jumped out at me though is what he said in his tweet.  It’s a great chance to take a look at some commonly held beliefs.  Let’s break the tweet down:

(And Stevie, why all the SHOUTING?  I’ll do this in polite cyber- tones)

“I praise you 24/7”  A good place to start and I’ll take him at his word.  The problem is, quite simply, yeah, so what?  Does God owe you something because you praise Him?  No, it’s our place and duty to praise the Creator of the Universe (and us too).  It is our appropriate response to the Divine.  If we DON’T praise Him 24/7 will God somehow be deprived by that lack?  Again, no.  I believe that God is saddened when we don’t pray to Him on a regular basis but we can’t gain the upper hand in “negotiations” with God by withholding prayer.  So pray for the right reasons, not because you think you gain something by it.

“And this how you do me?” Um, no.  Let’s get past the idea that God gives a darn about football games.  Even better let’s get past the whole idea that every time something bad happens in our lives it’s God’s fault.  You see the underlying assumption there is that our lives would be perfect if God didn’t keep messing them up.  I hope you can see how screwed up that idea is without a long explanation from me.  No Stevie, God gave you all the tools you needed to make that catch.  Your quarterback put the ball right where it was supposed to be and the Steelers defense (sigh, lifelong Steelers fan here) left you WIDE OPEN IN THE END ZONE (sorry, I promised not to shout)!  And you dropped the ball.  You did it Stevie.  Not God.

“You expect me to learn from this???? How???!!! I’ll never forget this!! Ever!!!”  Three thoughts but all related.  God expects us to learn from everything.  The good.  The bad.  The boring.  Life is not a spectator sport.  You’ve got to keep your head in the game as the football players say.  How do you learn?  One way is by not forgetting what happened to you.  It’s about remembering how bad it feels when you screw up and hurt the folks around you.  The memory of that pain is a great way to work hard to avoid ever being in that position again.  Remember the joy of getting it right.  That’s inspiration to do what it takes to get back there as well.  Pay attention.  Make sure you use your gifts to the best of your ability, every time, all the time.  Trust me, no matter what age you are you’re not done learning.  Thinking you know everything is the best way to set yourself up for some major pain and failure.

“Thx tho”  In the end Stevie gets it right.  Even when you’re mad at God (and getting mad at God has a long and distinguished history.  It’s OK, God understands) always remember to say thanks.  Thanks for your life, thanks for your gifts, thanks for the person or people in your life that makes a difference, thanks for the chance to be the person making a difference.   Thanks for kittens and puppies and sunsets and thunderstorms.  Thanks for all things that make you special and your life special along side.

In the meantime say a little prayer for Stevie Johnson.  A lot of people are dumping on him right now.  He feels terrible.  Remember what it felt like the last time you screwed up.  Pray that God will help ease his pain.  And give him another chance to win a game for our Bills.

Peace

Jay

On the Election of a new bishop

It's a difficult time.

For a lot of us it is a reminder that a relationship we value is coming to an end. We are “losing” our bishop. Changes in relationship are always painful. Of course we always knew this change was coming, it's a natural and normal part of the process but that doesn't change the pain.

Then there's the whole election thing. It means that many of us didn't end up getting our first choice. Of course that's part of the process as well. Let's take a look at that process for a second.

This election took place in a community of faith. Like most of us I didn't actually have a vote. People from my parish (another election) were trusted to make this decision on my behalf. I trusted them to make that decision carefully, prayerfully and while listening with their hearts to hear God's direction. So if I trust them and trust that God wants what is best for that portion of his children known as the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York then I need to trust their decision.

And that can be hard sometimes. It's not something that “polite Episcopalians” would normally speak of but the reality is that some folks really liked/really disliked some of the candidates. Which means that some folks saw this election as a huge win/terrible loss. We're not supposed to talk about that but let's be honest. Some folks are happy with the choice, some are not, the rest are hopeful. Happens in every diocese every time.

So what do we do? Our faith declares us to be people of hope. Our next bishop won't be as good as some people hope and he won't be as bad as some people fear. In faith and hope we need to be open to the possibilities of this new relationship. We need to be prepared to offer our support and council to our new bishop-elect and to listen prayerfully to the council and leadership he will offer us. It's the exact same process we went through when Bishop Garrison was elected.

Being a bishop isn't easy. My question for all of us in the youth ministries of the diocese, youth and adult, lay and clergy, is this – will we chose to work with the bishop-elect for the glory of God and the health of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York or will we chose to hang out to our disappointment and become a stumbling block.

Have a joyous and thankful Thanksgiving.

Peace

Jay

Stair Dance

We have been greatly blessed with four amazing candidates to be our next bishop. May the Holy Spirit's voice be heard by all my brothers and sisters voting tomorrow.

In the meantime here is an amazing video featuring one of the four!

Checking in From Home

Just a quick update video so you can see that I'm doing OK.

Meet the bishop candidates, EYE and more!

Newsletter for October 25 2010

Welcome (again) to the new youth minister at St. Luke's, Jamestown - Miguel Covarrubias!  Miguel was commissioned by the parish this past Sunday in a service that involved everyone from the Vestry to the youth to the Diocesan Youth Missioner!  It was a great service.
  Miguel comes to western New York from Montana and youth work in other denominations, most recently in the Presbyterian Church.

If you get the chance I'm sure he'd love to make connections with other youth leaders in the Diocese.







Bishop Candidates Walkabouts

"Come Feel the Emotion & Spirit

November 6,7 & 8"

We have a wonderful opportunity coming up in just a few short weeks: the chance to hear the four outstanding candidates for bishop answer those questions that are relevant to our diocese and that, in fact, were created by YOU.   The new bishops need to see young people and hear your voices and questions.  You can come to any of the following:

Saturday, November 6, 2010 @ 1 p.m.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
1 East Main Street
LeRoy, NY 14482

Saturday, November 6, 2010 @ 7:30 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church
7145 Fieldcrest Drive
Lockport, NY 14094

Sunday, November 7, 2010 @ 7:30 p.m.
Trinity Episcopal Church
371 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202

Monday, November 8, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
410 North Main Street
Jamestown, NY 14701

You can learn more about the nominees and the entire election and consecration process at www.wnybishop.org.  Save the date, March 6, for the Celebration of the Episcopacy of Bishop Michael.

Youth Prayer at Electing Convention

There is still room on our youth prayer team.  We have a solid core but could add up to another 10 or so.  Please contact Giselle Jackman for details.  We need adults to work with this group as well.  Contact Giselle about that too.


Episcopal Youth Event (EYE)

We are beginning the process of creating our delegation.  The first thing we need is some idea of adults who are interested.  The adult application packet is now ready.  You can download it HERE

EYE 2011
June 22-26
Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota

Three full days of worship, sharing, praying, learning, singing and working - followed by an opportunity for three days of urban or rural mission in Minnesota.
The Episcopal Youth Event is open to youth in grades 9-12 during the 2010-2011 academic year. Up to 32 youth and 8 adult sponsors from each of 109 dioceses and 3 regional areas of the Episcopal Church are invited.

$275 per participant (youth or adult) covers meals, lodging and event activities. (Ten percent of fee goes toward mission opportunities at the event.)
Shuttle to and from train/airport is approximately $25 additional.
$20 per day covers lodging and breakfast for additional days of mission.

Please contact me at EYouthWNY@gmail.com if you're interested.

Episcopal Youth Event - Adult applications are ready

2011 is the next EYE and we're starting to get ready.  The first thing we're doing is trying to judge how many people are interested and ABLE to go.  The dates are going to be difficult for some folks so please double check them.  As always this is going to be a great event.  The home page for EYE 2011 is HERE

Because the adults need to meet several criteria in order to qualify we are getting their applications up first.  Adults interested in being part of the diocesan delegation can get the packet HERE

What's EYE all about?  Check the core issues below plus
Photos from 2008 
2008 Video  (find it on our Facebook page EYouthWNY)

The Core Values of EYE
created by the Provincial Youth Ministers in February 2010
Focusing on Jesus Christ and his presence in our lives, EYE will provide an opportunity and create an environment where our young people and the adults who accompany them can continue to grow on their journey in faith.

Striving to be a uniquely Episcopal Community and acknowledging that each person is a child of God and that we are called together into a full relationship with God and God’s Creation, we claim that we are a sacramental people of common prayer with diverse understandings and cultural contexts, all of whom work together as the Body of Christ.

Celebrating our mission and our ministry as the Body of Christ in Community, we will offer training for young people and adults and equip them to be faithful servant leaders in their local and diocesan communities.

Embracing the “Anglican Marks of Mission” as our charge, we will strive to engage the passion and energy of faithful youth, to embrace their call to ministry and to empower them to put their faith into action.

We Need Your Opinion!

Youth Commission is always looking to help people join us. A question has come up about the TIME when we meet. Please follow the link below and take the very short (3 questions!) survey to help us discover the answer to that question.

Youth Commission Meeting Time Survey
Click here to take survey

Meet Your Presiding Bishop!

Lunch and Q&A

with Presiding Bishop

Katherine Jefferts Schori

A chance for High School aged youth and
Young Adults (up to age 30) to meet and
talk with Bishop Katherine.

RSVP for lunch required, see below

lunch choices are tuna salad, chicken
Salad, or a veggie wrap

October 30 2010
Noon - 1:30 PM

St Patrick’s Cheektowaga

1395 George Urban Blvd,

Cheektowaga, NY

RSVP to:

897-3420

Or

PBresponseWNY@Gmail.com