NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE

More than 30 youth and advisors and volunteer staff from Illinois/Wisconsin District, plus numerous staff from the General Offices in Elgin, took part in this year’s Church of the Brethren National Youth Conference, held July 23-28 in Fort Collins, Colo. In all, nearly 1,000 people from across the country gathered at Colorado State University for the conference, held every four years. 

With the theme “Foundational,” drawing from Col. 2:5-7, NYC 2022 explored how we build our faith and what roots and anchors us through challenging times. Twice-daily worship, workshops, and other events through the week delved into those topics with speakers and musicians including Drew Hart, Seth Hendricks, Osheta Moore, Naomi Kraenbring, Jeremy Ashworth, and Ken Medema.

Geo Romero (York Center) served on the National Youth Cabinet that planned the conference. District executive Walt Wiltschek (York Center) was one of the worship coordinators, and Christy Waltersdorff (York Center), a former NYC coordinator, served as hiking co-coordinator this year. Several youth from the district, including a group from Highland Avenue and York Center, assisted with worship during the week.

Most of the district group traveled from Illinois via bus, picking up a group from Northern Plains District in Iowa on the way out and having lunch at the Ankeny Church of the Brethren near Des Moines on the way back. We’re hoping for some future connections between the groups. An NYC reunion/youth retreat will take place at district conference.