by Patricia Tanzer Raynolds

Hibernation may be the way some deal with the winter months, but for the youth of this diocese, it was a time to spring into action. Members of the 1997/98 Youth Action Council (YAC) planned and implemented the third annual Diocesan Youth Event (DYE) the last weekend in January. Over one hundred and fifty youth and adults, representing 15 parishes and missions in the diocese gathered at St. John’s Cathedral for a fast paced weekend of fun, learning, music, worship, food, and fellowship.

While the youth swam and music blared both at the YMCA and the Cathedral, the adult youth leaders gathered for three workshop sessions on such topics as leading games, creating a youth group schedule for the year, and the creative use of worship with teens. A highlight of the event happened Saturday morning when, then, Bishop-elect vonRosenberg and his wife, Annie, visited and answered questions posed by the retreaters.

The youth divided into regional groups and elected new representatives to the Youth Action Council, who will serve in this capacity for one year. Adult representatives were appointed at a later date by the bishop for a two-year term. Representing the Upper East region are: Faith Oyler, Jenny Radford, Kayla McGrady, Brian Arthur, and Ali Schaefer. Lizzy Overbey, Adam Estes, Molly Schaefer, Jim Sharp, Joe Bennett, and Debbie Thomas represent the middle region of the diocese. Representing the South East region are: Susie Massengale, David Askew, Warren Brewer, and Mary Brewer. Ex-officio members representing the Junior High Retreat and Happening on the council are: Rosemary Yates, Dee Ellis, Jessica Wallace, and Kim Hunter. The Rev. Stephen Askew serves as Youth Ministries Chaplain and Patricia Raynolds as Youth Ministries Facilitator.

Even before the DYE, plans were being made by the 28 youth counselors of the Junior High Retreat for that event, which was held the middle of March. 75 adults, senior high counselors, and retreaters again invaded the Cathedral for a weekend of exploring their theme, “Walking with God”.

Two workshops were planned and led by the senior highers - one group from the Upper East part of the diocese and one by the middle region - that explored through games, worship, crafts, discussion, and a trust walk, the reality of walking with God.

We were surprised Saturday to look out and see several inches of snow on the ground. That didn’t keep our Bishop from visiting and didn’t keep us from going to the YMCA, although we did caravan there in vans. And it certainly didn’t keep us from throwing a beach party in the Great Hall that evening - complete with grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, and a dessert that was scooped out of a pail with a shovel and looked like sand, but tasted heavenly.

For those of you who missed the retreats, please plan to come next year. The DYE is open to all youth in grades 6 through 12 with their adult leaders and the Junior High Retreat is for grades 6 through 8 with grades 9 through 12 serving as counselors. Information for being on staff will be sent at the end of the year to adults who work with youth. Please consider joining us!

Patricia Tanzer Raynolds is the Diocesan Youth Ministries Facilitator.