January 16, 2010
Conference
Call
Present: Rev. Paula Comper, Rev. Kirk Moore, Rev. Jonathan
Knight, Pastor Jim Brown, Pastor Karen Karczewski.
The meeting began at 1:10 pm
1. Spreading the word about “Commotion in
Motion”---Paula will send out an email list with the names
of the churches who have participated in the Retreat in the past.
Each ICYI person will call several of those churches.
*Kirk suggested that we should go search for Illinois Conference
Youth Initiative
on Facebook. We should recommend our youth join or become friends
with
other Conference Youth.
*Jonathan will contact the Associate Conference Ministers and ask
them to
encourage youth to attend this event.
2. Develop the theme “Commotion in Motion”. Timoth had
mentioned youth want more free time, so most activities will be
held in the morning and afternoon. Ropes course takes 2 hours.
Paula recalls that the junior and senior high kids be
‘split’ when they are with Steve and Bryan. Paula will
work out the schedule, based on what we have done in the past.
Kirk said the “Commotion” would be youth who would
‘rabble-rouse’ the world. In other words, how do we
empower kids to ‘change the world’....being encouraged
to make a difference and BE the change you want to see in the
world. Bryan’s song “Something Beautiful for God”
works really well with this theme. Paula offered that
‘technology’ causes a lot of commotion in life, and how
it can be made to cause commotion in the every day life. Kirk
suggests we need to pick one or the other.
There was discussion of showing the UCC ‘electronic’
tools to the youth, such as i.UCC and MyUCC, Still Speaking, and
KyeP. Changes will be coming to some of the UCC technology, but
for now, we can show them what is available.
The leaders will be presenters and leaders, but allow the youth
who are there to guide the discussions. Youth may have different
ideas of what might be positive change in the United Church of
Christ.
3. Movie that fits with the Commotion in Motion....Kirk suggested
“The Blind Side” or “UP” (in the animated
version) . Paula thought about “The Gift”.
“Invictus”..but might be rated too high for the group.
“Precious” is a movie that comes out in March. Karen
will bring laptop, projector, and screen. We will decide on the
movie for the 3 weeks.
4. Friday night schedule:
Arrive
Introductions (including music with Bryan)
Pizza (we wasted a lot of pizza last year...some youth had just
eaten supper) Karen
suggested the addition of fruit and popcorn.
Movie
Vespers (led by Steve)
5. Saturday Night Dance---the group agreed the youth enjoyed the
dance. Paula asked if Chuck Taylor would be willing to do the
dance again. We discussed the donation for Chuck. Karen will
follow up with Chuck. The group agrees $200-$300, depending on
what is feasible. The dance would be Saturday night, from 8:30
– 10:30.
6. Transportation for Steve. Steve will fly from Orlando, FL to
Rockford, Chicago, or Bloomington. Paula will check flights We
will need to identify someone to pick him up and take him back to
the airport. He will fly in on Friday, and fly out on Saturday.
Steve will be $1,000 plus flight. Bryan will be $1,000. Jonathan
will volunteer to transport Steve on Saturday night, so that
youth leaders can continue to participate in the retreat.
7. Letter to the Conference---There was no response from the ICYI
letter back to ICYI. Phil contacted Kirk, who is interested in
youth ministries. Kirk did not hear back from Wanda. Karen asked
if there is a Conference staff person who is now filling the
administrative role that Rev. Paula Comper previously covered.
Jonathan explained that he is the only person who is
‘allocated’ to youth ministry currently. Jonathan
explained that the conference is in discussion about youth
ministry.
There was discussion about the fact that there is
“ICYI” designated money remaining at the Conference
Office. ICYI ought to be getting a straight percentage of
Strengthen the Church funds, rather than having to
‘apply’.
There was discussion about how ICYI scholarships will be handled
going forward. The scholarship and operating funds for ICYI may
currently be joined into one fund at the Conference. Kirk makes
the observation that we need to have YOUTH in leadership
positions in ICYI. Paula is hoping we can identify some youth at
the Retreat. Kirk states that ICYI should be an initiative that
provides an active youth leadership council, and geographically
based programs that encourage and support local youth programs.
ICYI should also be offering opportunities to train youth
ministers.
We should bring the ICYI Resolution to the MidWinter Retreat, and
review the document. Paula suggests we may have two
‘listening’ sessions for the future of youth ministry
in Illinois, and then bring the ‘adult’ and
‘youth’ session back together. Jonathan suggested that
Timoth might be able to support the youth session without
‘taking over’.
Paula asked that we keep Rev. Bryan Sirchio and his ministry in
Haiti in our prayers. Bryan is aware that one Haitian adult he
works with is alive, but Bryan does not know his condition. We
should continue to pray for all those who are in Haiti, and for
the ministries that will help with recovery.
Meeting adjourned at 2:40 pm
Minutes submitted by,
Karen Karczewski
