NATIONAL YOUTH CABINET ISSUES 300TH ANNIVERSARY CHALLENGE
The 2007-08 National Youth Cabinet met Aug. 1-3 in Elgin, Ill. They provided input for the Church of the Brethren's youth program, selected a 2008 youth ministry theme, developed resources for the 2008 National Youth Sunday, and prepared for the denomination's 300th anniversary.
Elizabeth Willis of Tryon, N.C., Tricia Ziegler of Sebring, Fla., Joel Rhodes of Huntingdon, Pa., Seth Keller of Dover, Pa., Turner Ritchie of Richmond, Ind., and Heather Popielarz of Prescott, Mich., serve on the cabinet. Dena Gilbert of La Verne, Calif., serves as advisor along with Chris Douglas, Youth/Young Adult Ministries director for the Church of the Brethren General Board.
The cabinet settled on "By the Manner of Their Living" for next year's youth ministry theme, drawing on a familiar quote by Alexander Mack Sr. for the denomination's 300th anniversary year. Mack is considered the founder of the Church of the Brethren. The theme scripture of Colossians 3:12-15. will be the resource for the National Youth Sunday scheduled for May 4, 2008.
The group issued a 300th anniversary challenge to youth groups across the denomination, following a General Board challenge to do something in multiples of 300 for the anniversary year. Challenges could be rebuilding 300 homes in disaster areas, having 300 more people participate in summer work camps, giving 300 hours of service, preparing 300 school kits for disaster relief, giving 300 cans of food to a local food pantry, or offering 300 prayers of peace.
The meeting included conversations about Brethren Volunteer Service, a tour of the offices, and several times of worship. The cabinet next meets July 31-Aug. 3, 2008, in Elgin.
--Walt Wiltschek is editor of “Messenger” magazine for the Church of the Brethren General Board.
Elizabeth Willis of Tryon, N.C., Tricia Ziegler of Sebring, Fla., Joel Rhodes of Huntingdon, Pa., Seth Keller of Dover, Pa., Turner Ritchie of Richmond, Ind., and Heather Popielarz of Prescott, Mich., serve on the cabinet. Dena Gilbert of La Verne, Calif., serves as advisor along with Chris Douglas, Youth/Young Adult Ministries director for the Church of the Brethren General Board.
The cabinet settled on "By the Manner of Their Living" for next year's youth ministry theme, drawing on a familiar quote by Alexander Mack Sr. for the denomination's 300th anniversary year. Mack is considered the founder of the Church of the Brethren. The theme scripture of Colossians 3:12-15. will be the resource for the National Youth Sunday scheduled for May 4, 2008.
The group issued a 300th anniversary challenge to youth groups across the denomination, following a General Board challenge to do something in multiples of 300 for the anniversary year. Challenges could be rebuilding 300 homes in disaster areas, having 300 more people participate in summer work camps, giving 300 hours of service, preparing 300 school kits for disaster relief, giving 300 cans of food to a local food pantry, or offering 300 prayers of peace.
The meeting included conversations about Brethren Volunteer Service, a tour of the offices, and several times of worship. The cabinet next meets July 31-Aug. 3, 2008, in Elgin.
--Walt Wiltschek is editor of “Messenger” magazine for the Church of the Brethren General Board.
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