Photos from Senior High

Sorry for the delay! We've had some technical issues and besides we have to stop having fun to post these!  Which do you think we'd rather do?

Happening #30!

The corrected applications for Happening Weekend #30 are now up.  We needed to correct some dates for the Team.  Now we are ready to go.  Check them out on the Happening Page at the EYouthWNY website!

Youth Missioner and General Convention

I know I've mentioned several times that I will be going to General Convention.  Folks still ask me questions about what I'm doing there and if I'm a Deputy for our Diocese.  The answer to that second question is no but the answer to the first is pretty interesting.

This will be my third time at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.  I went in both 2003 and 2006.  Quick review in case you're not clear.  General Convention is like our diocesan convention in that it is the business meeting of the church.  Budgets get passed, plans for ministry and making decisions about our future together all take place at the conventions.  One of the most common phrases about either convention is that they are "family reunions", a gathering of folks from all over the church for discussion, sharing and joy.

General Convention (GC) is different from our diocesan convention in that it only meets once every three years.  That means the budgets are bigger, the plans are longer range and the discussions need to be longer.  Plus it is many, many times larger.  Lay, clergy and bishops from just over 100 dioceses.  Plus staff people and exhibit people and people who just like hanging out at GC (yes, there are people like that).  So it is HUGE.

In the midst of all that I'll be working as a mentor with the General Convention Official Youth Presence (GCOYP.  Episcopalians love acronyms).  GCOYP is made up of two young people from each province of our denomination.  So there are 18 young people from all over including the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico (The Episcopal Church [TEC] goes beyond just the U.S.) This means a lot of things.  I'm there because I have experience both with GC and GCOYP.  In addition I work with the young people on speaking in public and media relations.  My background is very strong in both those areas and it's great fun for me to bring those different parts of my life all together.  Beyond that I and the other mentors basically serve as staff for the youth.  You see THEY are the important folks for that time and place.  GCOYP is granted seat and voice in the House of Deputies (HOD.  As compared to the House of Bishops which is HOB.  I told you we LOVE acronyms!).  They need to focus on the issues that are before them and the days are long.  We are commonly out the door on our way to hearings or meetings at 7 A.M. and wrap up the day around 11 P.M.  Every day for 9 days.  So that means I get them supplies they need, dig up answers they need, set up meetings and upon occasion get them a cup of coffee.

It's hard work.  It's also work that I love doing.  I've been blessed that Bishop Franklin like Bishop Garrison before him supports me in this ministry. After camp this is one of my favorite parts of my ministry.  This year we will also have a youth from our diocese there as a member of GCOYP.  Elisabeth Engle is one of the two Province Two representatives.  We both have a lot of work waiting for us.  I'm sure I speak for Lis when I say we would appreciate being kept in your prayers along with the Deputies from WNY and Bishop Franklin.

My time at GC will run from July 4-12.

Well Worth Reading

I shared this link on the Adult newsletter this week but I think it's worth a wider reading as well.  Adam McClane is currently one of my favorite reads in the world of Youth Ministry.  He's an "in the trenches"  youth minister, husband, father, writer and creative type person.  According to his blog bio

He is a purveyor, connoisseur, trader, and collector of ideas.

Which means he's definitely my kind of guy.  A couple weeks ago he posted a blog about things he didn't feel like he should be expected to apologize for as a youth minister.  I really enjoyed the post (although I did call him out on one item in the comments.  Scroll down and check it out.  As always he handled it with grace and humor).  The list, he reminded me, is a personal one for him but contains lots of great thoughts.

What would be on your list of things you don't think you need to apologize for?  I'll admit that reasons 1, 2 and 4 just leapt out at me.  This one is worth a read and I'd recommend checking in on Adam regularly.

Don't Apologize

This Week's Newsletter!

Wow, what a week last week was for me.

Spent it with the young people of the General Convention Official Youth Presence (GCOYP) 2012 in Indianapolis IN preparing for this summer's General Convention(GC).  Our own Elisabeth Engle was there as one of the two youth representing Province II (the other is Grace Steele from the Diocese of Long Island.  Keep them both in your prayers)

We spent a lot of time in conversation about what happens at GC, what their roles will be, how to live together in a high pressure environment for 9-10 long hard days, how to deliver speeches and how to deal with the media.  We also sang, worshiped and laughed.  We laughed a lot.  GCOYP12 has young people from all over the continental U.S. plus Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.  They speak at least 3 languages among them, maybe 4 (English, Spanish, French and I thought I heard some German being bandied about)

Please keep all the young people and the adults working with them in your prayers as we move towards General Convention in July.

 

Plus don't forget - 

We are now accepting applications for the Diocesan Convention Youth Representatives.  This is one of the premium leadership slots for youth in our diocese.  These young people are the voice of youth at the highest level of our diocesan government.  There will be only one youth rep chosen from each Deanery.

If you are interested you must:

1. Currently be in grades 8-11
2. Able to commit to being present for all of the following - training May 20 following Youth Commission, a pre-convention meeting October 14 at 2 PM, and BOTH days of Convention.  We will provide you with a letter explaining missing school on that Friday.
3. Be prepared to present yourself and your ideas in a manner appropriate to the event.

 Convention this year is taking place in Mayville.  The Youth delegation will be staying at Camp Merz, the Boy Scout camp next door to the hotel where the convention will take place.  Applications are available on the website and the EYouthWNY Facebook page.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION IS APRIL 22.

And of course don't forget  - CAMP!!!!!!!!

Get your applications in!  It's never too early.  I think this will be a wonderful year.  It'll be even better if you're there too.

Don't forget that camp applications are now available online AND you can register online too!  Let's keep those camp registrations rolling in!

Online registration is HERE

Or download an application HERE

Summer Mission Trip and Convention Youth Reps

Two important notes:


If you're interested in a mission trip this summer check this out:

Mission Trip

July 22 – 29, 2012 - Elyria, Ohio

We will be rebuilding porches, renovating housing, creating new community spaces while making new friends, having fun and helping celebrate the 150^th anniversary of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Who: All youth who will be in grades 7 – 12 in September 2012

We could also use a couple of adults who want to come along

What: A week of work, fun and old and new friends

Where: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

300 3^rd St. Elyria, Ohio, 44035 – a suburb of Cleveland

Cost: $350

Details: We will leave St. Paul’s Harris Hill – 4275 Harris Hill Rd. 14221 at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday July 22 and return to St. Paul’s at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday July 29.

Deadline: Registration Information and a $150 deposit must be in by June 1.

Questions: Contact the Rev. Vicki Zust – paulsrector@gmail.com or 716-632-8221

There is a flyer/poster with more details that you can download HERE

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And don't forget the deadline to apply to be a Diocesan Convention Youth Representative is April 22!

You can get your application HERE

You must in grades 8-11 right now and be able to attend the training sessions May 20 and October 14 plus both days of Convention.  

If you have questions get in touch with the Youth Missioner!

Online Camp Applications are Here!

We've been working on a new system for doing our online camp application process!  You can now apply using the form found on the main DIOCESAN page (EpiscopalWNY.org).  Select the Diocesan Life tab and it's at the bottom of the menu.  There is also a direct link on our Camps page at the DIOCESAN YOUTH website (EYouthWNY.org)

Or you can just click HERE

Camp Applications!

We're still working on the online registration but here are the applications in case you need them.

Camp application for campers - remember the March 1 Early Bird Deadline.  Save $15 off the cost of camp if you get your application AND deposit in by March 1.  You can use this form for any of our camps.

  Camp Application     Health Form   Scholarship Form

If you want to serve on staff at one of our camps use this form:

Fillable pdf version      Downloadable regular version    Adult Health Form

All camp staff should be prepared to attend the camp staff training day May 19 at the Diocesan Ministry Center.

News from this week's newsletter.  You can sign up for the newsletter at EYouthWNY.org

Look for the link at the top of any page.

Hope everyone is getting excited about the Bishop's Ball.  Bishop Bill is looking forward to seeing LOTS of faces at the dance.  Feel free to bring a friend, make sure you invite all the youth at your church!  Cost is just $5, 7-10 PM, February 11 at the Diocesan Ministry Center.  We've got a new video about Bishop's Ball you can download from HERE

 

AND THEN THERE'S CAMP...

Applications are now available to download HERE

We are still working on the online applications.  Should have them soon.  Your church already has some applications, make sure you ask about them.

Please make sure your parents see this years new Early Bird Registration .  Get your application AND deposit in by March 1 and save $15 on the cost of camp.  There will be no "extension" on the Early Bird Registration.  It must be in by March 1!

 

If you're a Happener and want to be on the Team for the Spring weekend remember the deadline for applications is this Saturday!  If you haven't Happened yet think about it!  This is a great weekend filled with fun and music and some great spiritual thinking time led by other teens.  Find out more HERE

Upcoming Events

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Happening Board Meeting - February 11

Bishop's Ball - February 11, Diocesan Ministry Center 

Youth Commission - February 19, 2 PM St Patricks Cheektowaga  

Happy New Year!

 CAMP REMINDER

 

We have confirmed camp dates for 2012!  We are still ironing out some details on costs for this summer.  Applications will be available ASAP.  But have everyone mark those dates down!

 

Senior High June 24-30

Junior High August 5-11

Sleep Away August 12-15

 

 A mailing with flyers for a lot of the upcoming events will be headed out in the next couple days.  Look for it!

 

Time is running out for applications to GCOYP!!!!

 

 

We could especially use female and minority applicants!

 

Province 2 of The Episcopal Church is looking for Western New York's best and brightest young people.  The application period is open right now (through Jan 15) for the General Convention Official Youth Presence (GCOYP).  It's a role that would put a young person in leadership at a whole new level.  We are looking for youth that are willing to work hard as a member of a team and represent not just WNY but the youth of our Province.

 

Check out the requirements and the nominating links HERE 

They would have to be available April 12-15 and July 5-12.  All of those dates, no exceptions.  Plus ALL EXPENSES ARE COVERED.  For both time periods and for everything other than pocket money.

 

If you can think of someone who would fit the description please talk with them and urge them to apply ASAP.

 

DEADLINE is JANUARY 15.

 

Contact me with any questions.



Coming up in January we have an overnight event for grades 6-12.  The Youth Overnight Event with Bishop Bill is January 20-21 at the Diocesan Ministry Center.  Cost is $10 per person.  The youth will be broken down into an older (HS) group and younger (MS) group for activities and their time with Bishop Franklin.  Each group will have it's own dedicated adult leadership as well.  Event starts at 7PM,

Registration needs to be done in advance and can be done by e-mail- BishopEvent@gmail.com.
 
The overnight ends with Eucharist and we hope to be out the door at noon.  Hoping to see lots of youth there.  The Bishop is very excited about this event which follows in the footsteps of the Consecration Overnight.  He really enjoyed that time and is looking forward to having more time with the youth.
We handed out a lot of flyers for this event at Convention but I'm trying to get something else out in the next couple weeks.

 

Registration deadline is the Monday before the event.  January 16, 2012.

Online registration HERE
Password is the bishop's last name

The Bishop's Ball is February 11, 7 -10PM at the Diocesan Ministry Center.
Open to grades 7-12
Cost - $5 

 

The Bishop really enjoyed himself last year and is looking forward to spending some time with the youth again.

Looking for a challenge in 2012?

We're headed into the New Year and there is something very special that you might be able to do in 2012.  General Convention (GC) is the "business meeting" of the entire Episcopal church.  It's an amazing and important event.  And every time it meets (every three years) there is a group of youth there to be the voice of the younger generation to the church.  That group is called the General Convention Official Youth Presence (GCOYP).  It's made up of 2 high school aged young people (age 16 or older) from each Province.  Province 2 (that's our province) is searching for the young people to represent us at GC.  Please consider applying.  You can apply online  HERE through January 15 (scroll down to the paragraph that starts "Each applicant must complete...").  You must be able to commit to all the days of a 4 day training session April 12-15 and General Convention July 5-12.  ALL EXPENSES ARE COVERED FOR BOTH THE TRAINING AND THE CONVENTION.  And that means ALL of your expenses, travel, food, room, fees and materials.  Please read through the information and think about applying.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

General Convention Official Youth Presence

Every three years at the General Convention of The Episcopal Church there are 18 high school aged youth who are given voice and vote in the House of Deputies.  They are called the General Convention Official Youth Presence (GCOYP sometimes shortened to just OYP).  GCOYP was created as a way to insure that the voice of the younger generation of  the church is heard at its highest council.  The process to select the two from our province (Province 2) gets underway today.  Here's what we're looking for:

• A high school aged young person who has demonstrated leadership abilities
• Who can work with both youth and adults
• Who can work in a disciplined environment.  GCOYP work from around 7 AM till 11 PM every day during General Convention (dates below)
• Who can commit to all training dates (April 12-15) and all of General Convention (July 5-12)
• Who is comfortable communicating verbally and in writing
• Who is prepared to move to the next level of leadership in our denomination.

ALL Expenses are covered by the budget of the Youth Ministry office of The Episcopal Church.  This includes transportation, housing, food and reasonable incidentals.  The chosen youth and their families bear no financial burden what so ever for being involved.  This includes both training and GC.

Each youth will need a non-family member adult recommendation.  Adult can also nominate a young person.  Please remember that only 2 (a total of 2) youth will be chosen from the province.  So you will be up against young people from Rochester, Central New York, Albany, New York, Long Island, Newark, New Jersey, Haiti, The Virgin Islands and the American Churches in Europe.  It was just two GC's ago that a young person from WNY was selected (Samantha Cutlip).  So please carefully consider if this might be something you are called to or that you believe a young person from our diocese might be gifted to serve.  

The application window is Dec 1 2011 - January 15, 2012.

 

Go HERE for youth application

Go HERE for a nomination by an adult

If you have any questions please get in touch with me ASAP!

Peace

Jay