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February is Going to be a Busy Month!

1/19/2023

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Wow, I look at the calendar and January is almost gone. The New Year has started fast and furious and does not look like it will slow down anytime soon. I hope you are settling into the New Year and that you had a great holiday season. In addition, I hope you are excited for all this year has in store for us.
​
I will be heading to Birmingham, AL next week for the Annual Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE). APCE gives you access to a number of resources from online training to bi-annual cohorts; I highly recommend this organization for professional development in Christian Education. There are several from the Central Florida Presbytery attending the conference. Many shared that the days will be long and I will be happy to fall asleep each night. I wanted to highlight a few upcoming dates.
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First, the Montreat Meet and Greets There will be two opportunities to meet with Susie: The first on Monday, February 13th at First Presbyterian Church of Eustis and the second on Tuesday, February 14th at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. Both sessions will be from 12pm to 2pm. Pastors, Youth Leaders and Youth Ministry Volunteers are all welcome. Since we will be serving light refreshments, we are asking that all attendees register. Please visit and complete the registration form.

​Susie has agreed to meet with us to discuss Montreat, its programs and possible financial assistance. There will be a short presentation and time for questions/answers. The presentation will be informal to allow for more dialogue. In addition to sharing information about Montreat, Susie would also like to hear how about how Montreat could help support our local ministry needs as well as how we may be able to partner together.

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Second, we will have a youth volunteer event at the Sharing Center in Longwood on Saturday, February 18. We will meet at the Sharing Center at 8:45am to check in. We will be volunteering in the retail department sorting through incoming donations. The Sharing Center is located at 600 N US HWY 1792 Suite 130, Longwood, FL 32750.

The Sharing Center offers four Key Programs:
  1. Families In Crisis - offers financial assistance, tax preparation, rental assistance, and vouchers for clothing and shoes.
  2. The Pantry - offers one of the largest free food assistance resources in Seminole County to help alleviate hunger.
  3. The Oasis - provides showers, laundry service, housing guidance, internet access, mail service, and haircut services. In fact, the Sharing Center is the only place in Seminole County where an unhoused person can get a hot shower.
  4. ProjectRISE - a workforce development program serves the under- and unemployed with the skills necessary to reach financial mobility, self-sufficiency, and employment.

​This is an amazing mission to our community and a great opportunity to give back to our community. Please consider joining the PYC in volunteering for this great organization. Please register for this event here.

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Last, I am excited to announce our April 22nd youth event will be at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR). We will have a Ranger led program about manatees and have an opportunity to watch the manatees from an observation deck. Later we will participate in a cleanup project at the Haulover Canal followed by a brown bag lunch and devotional. We will be able to do one/both of the wildlife drives on our way out of the refuge. This promises to be a great day. Look for more information on the Youth Ministries webpage, social media pages and in your inbox.

<©)))*><  
Kenne Sparks

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Montreat Camp & Conference Center Meet & Greet

1/1/2023

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I personally invite you to a Meet and Greet with Ms. Susie Burns, Director of Church Relations Montreat Camp and Conference Center. Susie will be visiting the Central Florida area this coming February. Susie has agreed to meet with us to discuss Montreat and its programs. There will be a short presentation and time for questions. The presentation will be informal to allow for more dialogue. In addition to sharing information about Montreat, Susie would also like to hear how about how Montreat can help support our local ministry needs as well as how we may be able to partner together. 

There will be two opportunities to meet with Susie: The first on Monday, February 13th at First Presbyterian Church of Eustis and the second on Tuesday, February 14th at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. Both sessions will be from 12pm to 2pm. Pastors, Youth Leaders and Youth Ministry Volunteers are all welcome.

Since we will be serving light refreshments, we are asking that all attendees register. Please visit and complete the registration form.

For many students, Montreat has been a transformative foundational experience to their faith development. The Montreat experience clears a space for encountering God, discovering and deepening a vibrant and durable faith in Jesus Christ, and hearing an invitation to make a personal commitment to embody the love, justice and righteousness of Christ.

They leave the conference center knowing…their faith matters, they are a beloved child of God, and they are part of a larger community of faith. Montreat has a fantastic leadership team lined up along with a theme that is incredibly relevant in our current cultural climate of today -- “In Joy.” Link to this year’s youth conference

Below you will find the link to a few videos that give you a brief look at Montreat along with the conference experience.
Welcome to Montreat Conference Center
Montreat Youth Conference: Spread the Love
What does Montreat Mean to you?
 

<©)))*><
Kenne Sparks ​
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PYC Gleaning Event with Society of St. Andrew (SoSA)

11/19/2022

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Wow, what a great time we had Gleaning with SoSA. A special thank you to Rebecca and Mandy our coordinators who made the experience so easy. If your group is looking for a service project, I highly encourage you to check the Gleaning webpage and sign up.

We arrived onsite at about 8:30am and it was a beautiful day, a little chilly. It was a clear dfay and the temprature warmed as we worked. Something about being in the feild really connects you with God and directly connects you to the greater community. The group did such an amazing job we were asked to stop picking corn and moved fields and picked cucumbers.

Seeing these young people in action was a blessing. They worked hard but still laughed and talked. You really get to know people when you serve beside them. Today's youth hunger for meaningful spiritual connection, they want to actively live they faith they are learning. Gleaning was/is the perfect activety to express this.

​Gleaning is such a great opportunity to serve our community. In 2021 the Florida chapter of SoSA gleaned 9,341,471 pounds of food; that equals 37,365,884 individual servings provided to those in need and providing a valuable clearing of the fields for our commercial farmers. Check out their impact study.

A special thank you to Jonathan, Vanessa, the adult volunteers and the youth of Maitland Presbyterian Church. They came out in force. We hope you will consider joining us at our next event February 18, 2023 at the Sharing Center. Visit the Youth Ministries webpage for more information or contact Kenne for more details.

<©)))*><
​Kenne

PS: watch the video below for a great testimonial from Michelle Fort, Member and Mother at Maitland Presbyterian Church about this trip and Gleaning.
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Greetings from a Friend at Montreat

10/3/2022

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I had the opportunity to speak with one of our Montreat partners in ministry, Susie Burns Director of Church Relations. We had a great conversation about youth ministry and Montreat. Susie will be here in Central Florida February, 13th and 14th. I would appreciate if some of you could come and meet her during that time. I will be setting up a couple of group visits with her. Let me know if your church is interested in hosting.

With January approaching, it is once again time to start planning for summer activities. Montreat has so much to offer and is considered to be one of the go to PCUSA Camp and Conference Centers on the East Coast. Located just outside of Ashville, NC in a quaint mountain community of Black Mountain.

It is a joy partnering with Montreat to help nurture the faith development of youth and families. One of the greatest assets Montreat has to offer is their youth programing during the summer. It allows you and other leaders an entire week with the youth to encounter God, ask questions and learn through conversations with other youth and leadership from many different places by giving them the space to embrace the Spirits presence. Montreat brings together youth and adults from all over the country and each person’s experience is shaped by the stories they hear and tell and how they experience the image of God in those they meet. Montreat strives to be an inclusive space were each of the youth can be heard, challenged, hearts molded and most of all be seen as a beloved child of God that is sent home with a message of hope to share in their world.

For many students, Montreat has been a transformative foundational experience to their faith development. The Montreat experience clears a space for encountering God, discovering and deepening a vibrant and durable faith in Jesus Christ, and hearing an invitation to make a personal commitment to embody the love, justice and righteousness of Christ.

They leave the conference center knowing…their faith matters, they are a beloved child of God, and they are part of a larger community of faith. Montreat has a fantastic leadership team lined up along with a theme that is incredibly relevant in our current cultural climate of today -- “In Joy.” Link to this year’s youth conference

Below you will find the link to a few videos that give you a brief look at Montreat along with the conference experience.
Welcome to Montreat Conference Center
Montreat Youth Conference: Spread the Love
What does Montreat Mean to you?
 
<©)))*><
Kenne Sparks 
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Registration is Open for Gleaning, Signup Today!

9/22/2022

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Wow, what a start to the program year. It has been an action packed few weeks already with the FISH event, the Presbytery meeting at El Redentor, Anti-Racism training at Harvest Church all while we are coming back from summer. I am excited to see so much activity and hope your groups are experiencing the same.

PYC is very excited to invite you to glean with the Society of St. Andrew (SoSA) on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at Long & Scott Farms in Mount Dora.  The Society of St. Andrew brings people together to harvest and share healthy food, reduce food waste, and build caring communities by offering nourishing food to hungry neighbors.

Gleaning is such a great opportunity to serve our community. In 2021 the Florida chapter of SoSA gleaned 9,341,471 pounds of food; that equals 37,365,884 individual servings provided to those in need and providing a valuable clearing of the fields for our commercial farmers. Check out their impact study.

These numbers are impressive but mission continues. Join the 4,500+ SoSA volunteers

I just finished updating the Youth Ministries webpage this morning and added more details, including how to register. Registration is a little different this time. To insure we have enough spots and track who has signed up our date is password protected and does not appear unless you enter sparks in the password field. You can follow these 10 easy steps:
  1. Go to the SoSA volunteer webpage https://endhunger.org/florida/
  2. Click the green box titled "View Volunteer Calendar" on the right
  3. If you have volunteered before scroll to the bottom and enter your name and email. If you have not volunteered for SoSA before, you will need to create a profile
  4. Once on the registration page look under where you see Hello, "Name". Find the box to submit a password and type sparks
  5. Click submit
  6. Now our event will show in the list highlighted in yellow
  7. Select the highlighted Saturday, November 19th Field Gleaning
  8. Scroll to the bottom and select the box for the waiver
  9. Input your name and click the grey box "Sign Up To Volunteer"
  10. You can add additional names for those joining you but selecting the "Add" button just above the waiver section.

Contact Kenne Sparks for more information at 407.422.7125 ext 209 or by email at ksparks@cfpresbytery.org.
Deadline to register is Friday, November 11, 2022. Please join us for this fall event.

<©)))*><
​Kenne

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Triennium YOU Has Been Released!

7/27/2022

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Back in February we sent out an email letting everyone know the Presbyterian Youth Triennium (PYT) for 2022 was cancelled. The Presbyterian Mission Agency issued an open letter on their website. In the letter, event staff had been advised there was a high probability there would be a COVID outbreak at the conference. After discussing many ways to mitigate the risk, planners felt they most of their energy was being spent on COVID Protocol and decided to cancel the conference.
​

“As we spent more and more of our time trying to figure out a COVID mitigation strategy, it became clear that this wasn’t the right time to bring young people together for this wonderful event,” said the Rev. Dr. Ray Jones III, director of Theology, Formation and Evangelism.

I was disappointed my first opportunity to attend Triennium was not going to happen in 2022. However, the PMA wrote about a plan to establish some regional online resources to “bridge the gap” to Triennium 2025. PYT Beyond, a new expanded ministry for Presbyterian youth that will offer virtual sessions, cohorts for youth and adults and online courses related to the theme, “When Did We See You?” The first pieces of this program, dubbed “When Did We See You?” for YOU, were released earlier this week.
There are three components; a small group study guide, a recreational guide and a worship guide. The small group study guide has 3 sessions, starts with the Matthew 25 text, and builds upon it with other scripture. There are games, activities, crafts in the recreation guide. The Worship Guide also includes three worship sessions with resources. Checkout the opening video to the worship series, Everyday Life by Coldplay, here.


I hope you can take advantage of this great resource. We have a lot of work aheadto be ready for PYT 2025.

<©)))*><
Kenne ​
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Montreat Youth Conference 2022 More Than Enough

6/23/2022

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On June 8th I received a call from Jimmy Steele, formerly of Grace Covenant Presbyterian. Jimmy explained he and Cam Thomas were Co-Directing the Montreat Youth Conference and needed help. The team did not have enough Small Group Leaders and asked if I could fill one of his open spots. After speaking with Dan I was quickly working travel arrangements/admin tasks with Cheryl Pane the Youth Conference Administrator for Montreat Conference Center. After a couple of days and some final preparations, by June 12th it was time to travel.
 
My last trip to Montreat was for the 2010 Youth Conference. Once we pulled off the interstate in Black Mountain, I knew exactly where we were. Not much has changed. Some of the stores in town were new and some of the restaurants had changed names but the Conference Center looked almost untouched.
 
After checking in at Assembly Inn, I had time to wander and decided to visit the bookstore. I immediately noticed the Huck was still closed for renovations, bummer. My mood quickly lifted when I noticed the Taco Tuesday stickers on the counter at the bookstore. Tacos for dinner on Tuesday was a comforting thought and proved some things never change.
 
This year’s Youth Conference theme was “More Than Enough”. Each day was broken into smaller bite sized themes that culminated in the overall message:
  • Monday – Recognize (Without God, we are not enough.)
  • Tuesday – Receive (Because of God’s love, we are more than enough.)
  • Wednesday – Rely (In God’s hands, we have more than enough.)
  • Thursday – Resist (Enough is Enough - By God’s power, we can do more than enough.)
  • Friday – Realize (Filled with God’s Spirit, together, we are more than enough.)
 
Rev. Gail Henderson-Belsito, Associate Minister Caldwell Presbyterian Church Charlotte, NC, led keynote. She is a powerful speaker that led us through a range of emotions. The audience laughed together, we cried together, we got mad together and we were inspired to action together. Rev. Gail’s messages lead our small groups into deep meaningful conversations. We were startled into action on Thursday morning when she flipped a table on stage while discussing Jesus doing the same in the temple in Jerusalem.
 
“Enough is enough,” she shouted.
 
Rev Gail offered to pray with the conferees during free time on two separate occasions. Both times, she had a long line of people to pray with and she gave of herself generously to every person present. Many who attended said she touched them with how present and empathetic she was.
 
Rev. Chris Henry, Senior Pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, IN. led worship. Rev. Chris artfully made us think about complex issues by breaking them down in a way easily received by all. He made us laugh and spurred us to do more by sharing stories of his young son Ben. Ben’s anecdotes were always clear and precise in a straight and to the point way only children seem to be able to share hard truths.
 
Thursday we spoke about resisting and Rev. Chris shared, “It is time to stop playing church and do church!” He ended his sermon with a call to action and a simple question, “What if?”
 
Keynote and Worship were knitted together with dynamic points being addressed and readdressed by both Rev. Gail and Rev. Chris. Music played a key role in this and we were blessed with an amazing praise band - Steve Lindsey, Jerry Chapman and Carla Dos Santos-Webb. You might recognize the Praise Band from Triennium 2019. We sang some classic songs and newer praise songs.  It is always interesting to hear how familiar songs are song in different places. The trio wrote this year’s conference theme song; see the video below to hear it song by the 800+ conferees in attendance. I also included a link for the lyrics, ♫ charts, an energizers packet and a list of games.
 
I could not have asked for better small groups. We had a wide range of backgrounds, places we lived and varying opinions. We met twice a day and quickly became a family. Through our covenant and creating a safe place for one another, we shared hard things and had deep meaningful discussions. The groups learned to trust one another and lean into the conference theme. Through games, origami and being present in the moment we were able to trust in each other.
 
Our small groups would not have been possible without the love and support of our Planning Team (many more people than I can name), Community Life Coordinator, Conference Pastor, the Montreat Leadership Team, Summer Staff and the Montreat Staff. A big thank you to all. The Planning Team laid out an easy to navigate road map of the conference. Our Community Life Coordinator, Sarah Leer, kept busy in the background. Sarah kept us laughing. Don’t forget Sarah we need ghillie suits for Covenant Patrol (one of many inside jokes developed over the week). Rev. Jen Phelps kept our heads in the game, offered daily devotionals to the small group leaders and kept the snacks flowing when we needed an energy boost. Mary Goodnight-Thomas kept us in supplies and was the go to for anything outside the box.
 
Most of all I want to thank Anne Nance and Caroline Waters (from our own Rockledge Presbyterian Church). Both shepherded us through almost six days of materials, prep and the highs and lows of the week. Their leadership was instrumental in our success as small group leaders.
 
As I stated before there are too many to list but I am thankful to all. Montreat I appreciate the opportunity to serve but also for walking away with a since of renewal and refocused on the what the church can be.
 
<©)))*><
Kenne
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A Big Thank You to Grace Covenant

8/22/2021

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A special thank you to Mike Beam and Carole Pate for inviting me to visit Youth Group for Grace Covenant’s Rally Day Ice Cream Social. Mike and Carole know I have been looking for opportunities to connect with youth in the Central Florida Presbytery; our Presbytery Youth Council (PYC) is getting started up again and the Ice Cream Social was the perfect opportunity. 

Mike and I had been trading emails and settled on the Date. Carole and I have been meeting on ZOOM as she has graciously accepted an advisory role for PYC. I only mention this to tell you I was excited to meet them both in person and not through a screen.  After some coordination and final details my daughter Cecilia and I arrived. 

I enjoy taking pictures so we were a little early. The Grace Covenant campus is beautiful and was established in 1947 and opened in 2 years later in 1949. The Sanctuary is covered in stone with faux flying buttress style winged walkway. We followed this path into a central courtyard with a quiet and serene garden. Flowers were in bloom and the benches called for quiet reflection. I took photos until Cecilia told me it was time to go in. 

Mike met us at the door with a warm smile and easy-going mood that was infectious. As youth began to arrive, I had them draw a doodle of something they liked. Cecilia and I thought this would be a great memento of our visit. Carole soon arrived with pizza and some supplies like Cheerwine! I felt at home. It is funny how when you visit a new youth group how things can be so different yet still be so much the same. 

We sang familiar songs, ate pizza and ice cream. It was great to hear the chatter around the room. Meal time was so important in Jesus time and I believe it is something that connects us. Breaking bread with new friends brings us together in community. Ice cream always helps as well. 

Soon it was my time to talk about PYC. I gave what I call the 5 W’s brief. We talked about 1 Timothy 4:12 where we as a community are reminded, youth have a voice and that collectively they can help be the change they want to see in the Church. They are a generation of organizers who do not stand for injustice.  

We talked about what the PYC does: 
  • Plans and implements Presbytery-wide youth events and retreats 
  • Provides a balance of quality programming that offers opportunities for fellowship, study, service, worship, and discipleship  
  • Promoting opportunities for youth participation in the Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly 
  • Serving as liaisons for promotion and communication of events between local churches and the PYC 
  • Builds relationships between youth in area churches and between youth and God. 

We talked about the Central Florida Presbytery and the Leadership Development Committee’s (LDC) commitment to PYC being a youth run organization with a focus on leadership development. I re-enforced this idea with my own commitment to being a guide to help enable the PYC and its members to not only find their voice but to put their faith into action. Coming back from the pandemic we have an opportunity to bring important traditions back but to also shape new PYC opportunities. 

I shared, for those interested, where they could find the application. In addition, we talked a little more about what the process is like and what qualifications LDC is looking for.    

Youth who are: 
  • between the summer before 9th grade and the summer before 12th grade 
  • active participants in their local Presbyterian (USA) church and youth group (2 youth from each church are eligible to serve) 
  • excited about their faith and want to share it with others 
  • exemplary role models for other youth in faith and discipleship 
  • willing to learn new skills and take risks in leadership roles 
  • willing to commit to making the PYC a priority in their schedules, regularly attending meetings and events (~ 7 times/year) 

After taking some quick questions we participated in the Youth Group Olympics. Several great games; some feats of strength, measures of intellect, guided blindfold challenge and relay races. We had a great time. Though there was a competitive spirit there were many more laughs and calls of encouragement.  Grace Covenant has an affirming and welcoming youth group. Cecilia and I both felt warm and accepted. 

​Thank you again, it is always nice to visit new friends and share the PYC story. If youth are interested in PYC please direct them to our website. For more information contact CFP Coordinator for Youth and Collegiate Ministries Kenne Sparks by email youth@cfpresbytery.org or phone 407-422-7125 ext 209. ​
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    Kenne Sparks, Coordinator for Youth and Collegiate Ministries

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