NYC 2022 | Day #7
Hello again from Fort Collins, Colorado! It's hard to believe we've already reached the halfway point of National Youth Conference. There's still lots to experience, so read ahead to hear all about what our youth did on Monday.
Photo courtesy of Chris Brumbaugh-Cayford via the National Youth Conference photo website
Our youth started off their day with morning worship led by the winners of the NYC Speech Contest: Kara Bidgood Enders (Pennsylvania), Hannah Smith (Maryland), and Anna Schweitzer (Indiana). Each of the girls shared a personal story alongside a story from the Gospels: the Good Samaritan (Luke 10), Jesus and the disciples on the boat during a storm (Mark 4), and Jesus healing a blind man (John 9).
Photos courtesy of McKinley Wall, Glenn Riegel via the National Youth Conference photo website
The Fraternity group had signed up for a hike on Monday afternoon, but Kennedy and Lydia ended up being the only ones to go (more on that later — it all worked out!). What was supposed to be a 75-minute bus ride just outside of Estes Park, Colorado, ended up taking a little more than two hours (oops!) — but the route was gorgeous.
Once on the trail at Lily Lake, Kennedy and Lydia enjoyed an easy hike with some other NYC participants. It was a little chilly, but felt great in the sunshine. They saw an axolotl (if you've never heard of this, click here to see a Google image of one! How fun is God?!), two snakes, a chipmunk, and so many elk.
Kennedy shared that the lake was pretty and had a beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains. Lydia shared that it was "definitely a different experience" than the hike she went on four years ago as a youth at NYC in the cold rain!
Photo courtesy of Lydia Williard
Photos courtesy of Kennedy Wall
Photos courtesy of Lydia Williard
Photo courtesy of Lydia Williard
Photos courtesy of Lydia Williard, Kennedy Wall
McKinley and Melissa went to the "Songs and Storytelling with Ken" workshop on Monday. Our youth loved the Ken Medema concert on Sunday evening, so this workshop gave McKinley and Melissa the chance to hear a whole lot more. Blind from birth, Medema is a Christian singer and songwriter whose improvisational storytelling through music has inspired many at previous National Youth Conferences.
Photo courtesy of Glenn Riegel via the National Youth Conference photo website
Photos courtesy of Lydia Williard, Glenn Riegel via the National Youth Conference photo website
In addition to the workshop on Monday afternoon, McKinley and Melissa attended choir practice ... because McKinley was selected to sing a solo during Monday evening's worship! (We told you that it all worked out for McKinley and Melissa to not go on the hike.)
Photo courtesy of Glenn Riegel via the National Youth Conference photo website
The choir sang "I Choose Love" by Mark A. Miller. Special thanks to Lydia for capturing the song on film so we can share it with everyone back home.
In the midst of pain, I choose love.
In the midst of pain, I choose love.
In the midst of pain, sorrow falling down like rain,
I await the sun again, I choose love.
I choose love.
McKinley shared that she was very nervous ahead of time and thought that she might get sick, but she did an incredible job and "felt way better" afterward. Way to go, McKinley! (And way to go, Melissa — we hear that alto!)
Photo courtesy of Glenn Riegel via the National Youth Conference photo website
The speaker for Monday evening's worship was Jody Romero, a paster of a Church of the Brethren congregation in East Los Angeles, California. Jody spoke about the last supper and how Jesus washed the disciples' feet.
“Jesus is asking us to serve from below. He’s calling us to take this beautiful demonstration of His service and turn the world right-side up ... you are Generation Jesus.”
Photos courtesy of Glenn Riegel via the National Youth Conference photo website, McKinley Wall
Photo courtesy of Glenn Riegel via the National Youth Conference photo website
Photo courtesy of Glenn Riegel via the National Youth Conference photo website
There is an open mic night scheduled for Tuesday, and Kennedy and McKinley are looking forward to seeing who will perform. They are also enjoying hanging out with some new friends. Continue to remember our youth and advisors in your prayers as they experience all God has in store for them this week!
Photo courtesy of Glenn Riegel via the National Youth Conference photo website
Our youth started off their day with morning worship led by the winners of the NYC Speech Contest: Kara Bidgood Enders (Pennsylvania), Hannah Smith (Maryland), and Anna Schweitzer (Indiana). Each of the girls shared a personal story alongside a story from the Gospels: the Good Samaritan (Luke 10), Jesus and the disciples on the boat during a storm (Mark 4), and Jesus healing a blind man (John 9).
The Fraternity group had signed up for a hike on Monday afternoon, but Kennedy and Lydia ended up being the only ones to go (more on that later — it all worked out!). What was supposed to be a 75-minute bus ride just outside of Estes Park, Colorado, ended up taking a little more than two hours (oops!) — but the route was gorgeous.
Once on the trail at Lily Lake, Kennedy and Lydia enjoyed an easy hike with some other NYC participants. It was a little chilly, but felt great in the sunshine. They saw an axolotl (if you've never heard of this, click here to see a Google image of one! How fun is God?!), two snakes, a chipmunk, and so many elk.
Kennedy shared that the lake was pretty and had a beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains. Lydia shared that it was "definitely a different experience" than the hike she went on four years ago as a youth at NYC in the cold rain!
McKinley and Melissa went to the "Songs and Storytelling with Ken" workshop on Monday. Our youth loved the Ken Medema concert on Sunday evening, so this workshop gave McKinley and Melissa the chance to hear a whole lot more. Blind from birth, Medema is a Christian singer and songwriter whose improvisational storytelling through music has inspired many at previous National Youth Conferences.
In addition to the workshop on Monday afternoon, McKinley and Melissa attended choir practice ... because McKinley was selected to sing a solo during Monday evening's worship! (We told you that it all worked out for McKinley and Melissa to not go on the hike.)
The choir sang "I Choose Love" by Mark A. Miller. Special thanks to Lydia for capturing the song on film so we can share it with everyone back home.
In the midst of pain, I choose love.
In the midst of pain, I choose love.
In the midst of pain, sorrow falling down like rain,
I await the sun again, I choose love.
I choose love.
The speaker for Monday evening's worship was Jody Romero, a paster of a Church of the Brethren congregation in East Los Angeles, California. Jody spoke about the last supper and how Jesus washed the disciples' feet.
“Jesus is asking us to serve from below. He’s calling us to take this beautiful demonstration of His service and turn the world right-side up ... you are Generation Jesus.”
There is an open mic night scheduled for Tuesday, and Kennedy and McKinley are looking forward to seeing who will perform. They are also enjoying hanging out with some new friends. Continue to remember our youth and advisors in your prayers as they experience all God has in store for them this week!
Awesome!
ReplyDelete