CYE

February 2008

Shown above are the participants from 2008

February 2007

This year’s Conference Youth Event was a powerful experience of God’s blessings. .
We were blessed to have the Reverend DaVita McCallister (a.k.a. Revy Rev), our national Minister for Youth Young Adults and Outdoor Education as this year’s keynote speaker. Focusing on the World Council of Churches’ Decade to Overcome Violence, Revy Rev energized and helped the youth and youth leaders of our conference to explore the theme of overcoming violence, especially bullying in our schools.
 

CYE was a “who’s who” gathering of leaders. Event participants enjoyed numerous workshops on Sunday afternoon. The Reverend Mary Schaller Blaufaus, Minister for Volunteer Ministries from Cleveland, joined us to lead a workshop on mission trips. The Reverend John Dorhauer, Associate Conference Minister, led workshops on what it means to be UCC and on the topic of Open and Affirming. The Reverend Dr. Clint McCann, professor of Old Testament at Eden Theological Seminary led a workshop on Contemporary Music and the Gospel. The Reverend Polly McWilliams, Chaplain at Evangelical Children’s Home, engaged the youth in a workshop on Spiritual Relaxation. Zayna Thompson, student at Elmhurst College, led a workshop on Getting Ready for College Life. Dawn Henerfauth, UCC member and art teacher at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, coordinated our art workshops. Our Missouri chapter of Sheltered Reality led workshops on using music to address the issue of homelessness.

It takes many hands to pull off this event. Thanks to Rev. Carol Shanks, Coordinator for Youth and Young Adult Ministry here in Missouri Mid-South, Rev. Polly McWilliams and the youth throughout the conference who gathered to plan the event. Erin Casey, member of Immanuel UCC in Ferguson, was the graphic artist who designed this year’s t-shirt. The youth from St. John’s Chesterfield and their leader Cathy Pettibone organized our coffeehouse. Thank you for our praise band members Nate Kalkenbrenner, Kyle Nix, Rob Yakel, Kelsey Yakel, Anna Oesterle, and Laura Oesterle .
 

We were sent out from the event with a powerful worship service which included prayer, testimony and holy communion. For those who were unable to attend we share with you these words of Mother Theresa: “Peace is not something you wish for, it’s something you make, something you do, something you are and something you give away.”

Remember…. CYE is held each Presidents’ Day Weekend for high school youth and their leaders throughout the conference.