NYC 2022 | Day #9
National Youth Conference may be coming to an end, but we still have LOTS of photos and updates to share. Diving right in, here's what the group had to say about Wednesday, the final full day of NYC.
Photo challenge: take a picture spelling out "NYC" in Moby with some new friends (extra bonus points for including "2022"). Photo courtesy of Kennedy Wall.
Wednesday morning's speaker was Osheta Moore. She spoke about the parable of the sheep and the goats, emphasizing that sheep have a "flocking" nature. They need community and they see one another. Osheta challenged the youth to be like sheep — to see those around them and show kindness.
Photos courtesy of Glenn Riegel via the National Youth Conference photo website, McKinley Wall
The choir sang for the final time during the morning worship service. It was a pretty challenging song, but delivered a powerful message. Melissa expressed that it was great to share the choir experience at NYC with McKinley.
Photo courtesy of Lydia Williard
Wednesday also brought the final small group sessions. McKinley's group reflected on morning worship and what they had shared during their time together. Kennedy had a good small group experience — they ended their time doing the human knot! It was challenging, but they stayed at least 30 minutes after small group time ended in order to finish it. Talk about getting close to your small group!
Photos courtesy of Melissa Williard
Both Lydia and Melissa were in small groups with other advisors during their time at NYC. Melissa had a wonderful time hearing about the joys and challenges that youth advisors experience. The most memorable session was when they each prayed for their youth by name.
Lydia really enjoyed the people in her group and the vulnerable conversations they were able to have. She shared that it was a joy to see her small group members around campus because they were so encouraging. They knew that Lydia had to submit her final undergrad assignments on Tuesday, and they all clapped and cheered when she arrived at small group on Wednesday. Definitely a memorable way to end college! (Congratulations, Lydia!)
Photo courtesy of Lydia Williard
Some other workshop highlights from the week include "Reimagining BVS and FaithX" led by Chelsea Goss Skillen (alongside David Steele), a discussion about how to get youth more engaged with service opportunities in the Church of the Brethren, and "Top 10 Video Clips from 35 Years of Church of the Brethren Videography" by David Sollenberger showcasing many highlights of the Brethren witness in the world.
Photos courtesy of Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford via the National Youth Conference photo website, Lydia Williard
Photo courtesy of the Virlina Youth Facebook page
The speaker for worship on Wednesday evening was Seth Hendricks, the pastor of youth ministry and congregational life at Manchester Church of the Brethren in Indiana. Seth told the story of the ten lepers and then gave instructions on how to live a foundational life: pay attention, be astonished, and tell about it. He shared songs throughout his message.
Photos courtesy of McKinley Wall, Glenn Riegel via the National Youth Conference photo website
Photo courtesy of Chris Brumbaugh-Cayford via the National Youth Conference photo website
Photo courtesy of Chris Brumbaugh-Cayford via the National Youth Conference photo website
There was a special time of anointing following Seth's message, a long-standing tradition on the last evening of National Youth Conference. The anointing service was a beautiful time of the youth coming together — circles of youth with arms around each other formed all across the arena. Ken Medema provided music during the service which contributed to the wonderful atmosphere.
Photo courtesy of Chris Brumbaugh-Cayford via the National Youth Conference photo website
McKinley shared that this part of worship was emotional and she felt connected to God, and Lydia shared that it was deeply moving and humbling.
Photos courtesy of the Virlina Youth Facebook page
After being anointed, everyone was invited to take a scrap of cloth that they had been carrying all day representing their brokenness and bring it to the front of the stage, laying it with all the others and forming a beautiful tapestry.
Photo courtesy of Glenn Riegel via the National Youth Conference photo website
A quick Q and A with our Fraternity group:
Q: What has been one of your favorite songs from NYC
McKinley and Kennedy: Level Up, a song that Ken Medema created right after Chelsea and Tyler's message. Melissa is hoping they publish it.
Lydia: We sang two songs this week by a Christian band that I listen to pretty frequently (Rend Collective) called My Lighthouse and You Are My Vision. It was so cool to hear an entire stadium singing these songs that I love so much.
Melissa: The theme song grew on me throughout the week, but I really loved God of the Bible (Fresh as the Morning). Expect us to sing that in worship soon!
Photo courtesy of Chris Brumbaugh-Cayford via the National Youth Conference photo website
Q: What is something that you are looking forward to once you get home?
McKinley and Kennedy: We're looking forward to catching up on sleep and seeing our dogs.
Lydia: I am looking forward to having some free time since I am done with all my summer classes.
Melissa: I've liked not cooking for the last two weeks, but I really am looking forward to a home-cooked meal.
Photo courtesy of Chris Brumbaugh-Cayford via the National Youth Conference photo website
Thanks to our youth and advisors for bringing us along on this journey! We still have photos and updates from the closing worship on Thursday morning — and the journey continues until Saturday evening with all sorts of fun on the bus ride home. Stay tuned!
Wednesday morning's speaker was Osheta Moore. She spoke about the parable of the sheep and the goats, emphasizing that sheep have a "flocking" nature. They need community and they see one another. Osheta challenged the youth to be like sheep — to see those around them and show kindness.
The choir sang for the final time during the morning worship service. It was a pretty challenging song, but delivered a powerful message. Melissa expressed that it was great to share the choir experience at NYC with McKinley.
Wednesday also brought the final small group sessions. McKinley's group reflected on morning worship and what they had shared during their time together. Kennedy had a good small group experience — they ended their time doing the human knot! It was challenging, but they stayed at least 30 minutes after small group time ended in order to finish it. Talk about getting close to your small group!
Both Lydia and Melissa were in small groups with other advisors during their time at NYC. Melissa had a wonderful time hearing about the joys and challenges that youth advisors experience. The most memorable session was when they each prayed for their youth by name.
Lydia really enjoyed the people in her group and the vulnerable conversations they were able to have. She shared that it was a joy to see her small group members around campus because they were so encouraging. They knew that Lydia had to submit her final undergrad assignments on Tuesday, and they all clapped and cheered when she arrived at small group on Wednesday. Definitely a memorable way to end college! (Congratulations, Lydia!)
Some other workshop highlights from the week include "Reimagining BVS and FaithX" led by Chelsea Goss Skillen (alongside David Steele), a discussion about how to get youth more engaged with service opportunities in the Church of the Brethren, and "Top 10 Video Clips from 35 Years of Church of the Brethren Videography" by David Sollenberger showcasing many highlights of the Brethren witness in the world.
The speaker for worship on Wednesday evening was Seth Hendricks, the pastor of youth ministry and congregational life at Manchester Church of the Brethren in Indiana. Seth told the story of the ten lepers and then gave instructions on how to live a foundational life: pay attention, be astonished, and tell about it. He shared songs throughout his message.
There was a special time of anointing following Seth's message, a long-standing tradition on the last evening of National Youth Conference. The anointing service was a beautiful time of the youth coming together — circles of youth with arms around each other formed all across the arena. Ken Medema provided music during the service which contributed to the wonderful atmosphere.
McKinley shared that this part of worship was emotional and she felt connected to God, and Lydia shared that it was deeply moving and humbling.
After being anointed, everyone was invited to take a scrap of cloth that they had been carrying all day representing their brokenness and bring it to the front of the stage, laying it with all the others and forming a beautiful tapestry.
A quick Q and A with our Fraternity group:
Q: What has been one of your favorite songs from NYC
McKinley and Kennedy: Level Up, a song that Ken Medema created right after Chelsea and Tyler's message. Melissa is hoping they publish it.
Lydia: We sang two songs this week by a Christian band that I listen to pretty frequently (Rend Collective) called My Lighthouse and You Are My Vision. It was so cool to hear an entire stadium singing these songs that I love so much.
Melissa: The theme song grew on me throughout the week, but I really loved God of the Bible (Fresh as the Morning). Expect us to sing that in worship soon!
Q: What is something that you are looking forward to once you get home?
McKinley and Kennedy: We're looking forward to catching up on sleep and seeing our dogs.
Lydia: I am looking forward to having some free time since I am done with all my summer classes.
Melissa: I've liked not cooking for the last two weeks, but I really am looking forward to a home-cooked meal.
Thanks to our youth and advisors for bringing us along on this journey! We still have photos and updates from the closing worship on Thursday morning — and the journey continues until Saturday evening with all sorts of fun on the bus ride home. Stay tuned!
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