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:
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:
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.
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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