ICYI Meeting October 8th, 2005
Zion UCC Peru, Illinois
Present: John Kendall, Tracy Heilman, Katie Mellentine, Karen Karczewski, Kerry Weller, Jet’aime Atkins, Jim Brown, Jill Callahan.
Opening Worship
Worship was led by John Kendall and Jet’aime Atkins. Tracy led the scripture readings, Katie provided music, and Kerry led communion.
MidWinter Retreat 2006 January 20th-22nd at Pilgrim Park Princeton, Illinois
Registration forms have sent been sent out. Information is on the website, (www.icyi.org) so people can go to see it. 6th-12th Graders can participate in the Retreat in January of 2006. Discussion was had about mixing the junior and senior high students. It was decided to have the activities specific for the unique age ranges, as possible. The Midwinter Retreat flyer will be updated to include the age range of 6th through 12th grades. Publicity did not go out in the special Conference wide mailing. Tracy said that we could send it to the pastors in the churches, not the conference. She will be in charge of the mailing, the Partners In Education mailing list. Jill, Kari, Karen, and Tracy will take care of the mailings with their respective Association. Karen will resend the flyers to the ICYI group. This The MidWinter Retreat will also be announced at the Fall Association meetings, but Fox Valley has cancelled their Fall meeting. Tracy spoke about getting a flyer or informaton to the UCC Illinois flyer that is sent out in the mail. She will make sure that information is sent to the newspaper/flyer. Karen created a contract for Jeremy Hylen to review, but he has not responded to emails or phone calls. racy said that there should be a deadline to hear from him—if we have not heard from Jeremy by October 14, 2005, we will look for other options. Karen read an E-Mail message from Thom, regarding the agreement with Jeremy. Karen said she invited Jermey to come to this meeting, and also the one in December. She told Tracy that she left the messages with him yesterday, and also called 10 days ago. Contact deadline will be on October 14th for Jeremey. Youth Group involvement in the retreat was mentioned. Kari said that there should be an activity starting at 7 pm and ending at 9 pm, so people won’t just be sitting around waiting for the event to start.. From 7-8:30, their will be games led by the Granville Youth Group. At 8:30, there will be "Ice Breakers", also led by the Granville Youth Group, and at 9:00, the retreat will begin. Jill asked if Jermey isn’t there, is there a plan B? Karen said not yet. Tracy mentioned that if Jermey doesn’t show up or meet the deadline, we could easily find people to talk about the things (MLK, Ghandi, and others.) Backup plans have been mentioned, and we will discuss this more. Tracy asked where will be staying at for this retreat? Karen said the contract stated that we have the lower conference center and DuPree. Worship will be held in the chapel.. ( See separate attachment for MidWinter Retreat)
For Saturday, breakfast will be at 8:00-8:30 AM, Lunch around Noon to 12:30, and Dinner at 5:30 PM. Activities will start at 9:00 AM, and one to follow a half-hour after the first session. 10:30-11:00 AM will be the break. After lunch, their will be a rest/break time, with naps and discussion with other groups. Worship planning will be from 3:30-5:00 PM. From 5 to 5:30, it will be free time. After dinner, there will be an activity session from 6:30-7:30 PM. Another workshop will start around 7:30 PM and end at 9:00 PM. A bonfire will start at 9:00 PM. We will check to see if Kirk can come and bring his guitar. From 9:30 PM-Midnight, there will either be a movie or free time. 12:30: Lights out.
For Sunday, there will be worship at 8:30 AM, with breakfast a ½ hour before. People will pack up then leave. Closing was discussed. Katie mentioned about evaluations or quick evaluation activities. An activity with the peace pole was also talked about. Karen and Katie asked where it is, as they were unaware that one existed at Pilgrim Park. Evaluations will start at 9:30, and closing will be had at 10:00. Packing will be before the evaluations. It will also be stressed that packing should be done before breakfast. We will leave for home at 11:00 AM.The schedule will be sent to the youth group leaders.
Karen said will sign the contract for Pilgrim Park. Karen will estimate attendance as 30-40 people Only caffeine free soda should be available.Karen spoke about the rules of Pilgrim Park, and also asked for feedback on certain areas of the contract. Consensus was reached. Karen also said that she will talk with the new managers of Pilgrim Park regarding the retreat.
Illinois Conference Annual Meeting Elmurst College June 2006
Karen and Katie went to the August 27th planning meeting in Ottawa. It is in Elmurst from June 8th-10th, 2006. Budgets were distributed, and site and hospitality leadership was distributed. Other spots were also assigned. We will find out the speakers in November. Workshops leaders were also mentioned. It was also decided for sure that Katie will preach one day at the meeting.The Annual Meeting Planning Committe has asked ICYI to review the "Open Space" minutes to see what youth have to say about their wishes for youth activities at the Conference level. There will be a designated space for youth at the Conference Annual meeting...a place to hang out, and enjoy fellowship and learn more about the church. More planning will occur after the MidWinter Retreat.
Great Lakes Regional Youth Event June/July 2006
Tracy confirmed the dates. June 29th-July 2nd. Flyers and stuff have been sent to conferences. Conference originally planned to mail the information to their own churches. Tracy will contact Paula about this issue. A bus will be used to pick up youth from Illinois. Places to pick up were discussed. Trinity in South Chicago will be the pick up point. Pilgrim Park would be also a pick up spot. Return will be July 2nd. Worship is not currently scheduled. Tracy and Paula questioned staying another night if nothing is on the agenda for July 2nd. There will only be one bus to pick up the kids. Tracy and Kari said that their youth groups will not be attending, so 45 max will come. More planning will be done at a furture meeting, after information has been received from the Conference.
General Synod 2007 Hartford, Connecticut
Lori talked with the Armistad people. She called them, and they are in transition. They can’t promise what they can do for then, but they were aware of Synod. No need to worry about this yet. Lori is willing to pursue these things. Dates for this is not clear yet, so we will not research a bus yet.
ICYI Resolution and Study Guides
Tracy apologized for not pulling the the Study Guide Subgroup together sooner. This was originally proposed as a resolution of witness, but Jane wanted this as a resolution that requires a study guide. Many people say this issue is obvious and doesn’t need a study guide. A list of questions may just be needed. People are thinking about this as a ladder. First step is presence. Next will be decision making. Paula and Geraldo are the other two members of this subcommittee. The group will meet briefly today after the ICYI meeting. John read the sermon he and Katie presented on August 21st. The sermon will be posted on the ICYI website. Jill talked about her frustrations with no one stepping up and the ways of encourporating youth in her church. Discussion was had about it. Karen said that we need a spot for the Youth Minister in the conference, but there is no current activity that she is aware of. Many say that they feel like they are failing the youth movement. All agreed it would be very helpful if Jane were to attend the next ICYI meeting or the MidWinter Retreat. Tracy said that we have money for a year, and should be moving forward with this position. Paula can also talk with Jane to talk about this issue. With the conflict from the spring, Karen said it felt like we went back 1,000 steps.
New Business
Tracy will lead worship next time at the next ICYI meeting. Karen will also need help with contacting Jeremy Hylen for the MidWinter Retreat. Tracy will help lead Plan B if needed. Kari agreed to get in touch with Jeremy to find out if he is still planning to lead the MidWinter Retreat.
There was discussion about how to encourage more youth members in ICYI. Jim called in, and said that he is asking Ethan to join ICYI. Jim is also encouraging one of his confirmands to join ICYI.
Karen read a paper from "Open Space" that youth should come a day early to meet and talk with another. The Youth room could be opened all the time, and also there could be a youth store. Tracy said that it would be cool to have web access with it.
The scholarship issue was brought up. 10% of the MidWinter Retreat Fund will go to this.
Future Meeting Dates
December 10th: Peru
February 11th, 2006: Peru
April 8th, 2006: Peru
June 8th, 9th, or 10th: Meeting at Conference meeting at Elmurst College Date not determined.
Closing
Closing prayer was led by Karen Karczewski.
Meeting adjourned at 12:00 Noon. ICYI Study Guide Meeting followed the meeting.
