news article

Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM) celebrates 2016 and looks ahead to 2017

January 3, 2017 / By UNY Communications Team

Over two weekends in November, youth and adult advisors from all around Upper New York Conference gathered to learn who and what “God is” through fellowship and workshops. The workshops included: God is  …Diverse, …A Leader, …Forgiving, …Speaking, …Now, and …Peace. Each workshop offered different insightful pieces as to who God is, and we are confident that the youth who attended this weekend left with a greater understanding of the many ways God interacts with us.

There were also fun-filled late night options on Friday night.  Some youth decided to showcase their God-given talents at Open-Mic Night, while others competed intensely in games of four-square and in a scavenger hunt. Worship and music are important parts of Fall Gatherings, and this weekend demonstrated that importance. Family groups, or small groups of around ten youth, gathered to create bonds of friendship with people whom they haven’t met before. Always a favorite, family groups helped youths leave the Fall Gatherings with a sense of belonging, and with a sense of bonding among a group of peers. In total, there are several words that can describe how God appeared at the Fall Gatherings: fun, friendly, exciting, caring, and most of all, loving.

With 90 youth and adults gathered, Fall Conference Youth Gathering East 2016 was a fun- and Spirit-filled event.  Praise music was led by a praise band from Newtonville UMC.  Inspiring messages for the weekend were provided by youth and adults.

With 130 youth and adults in attendance, Fall Conference Youth Gathering West 2016 was a smashing hit. Youth sang their praises to God along with the house band, “The Hispanglos” (the youth praise band at Aldersgate UMC), who taught the crowd a bit of Spanish in their bilingual version of “How Great is Our God,” or “Cuan Grande es Dios.” Once again, inspiring messages for this weekend were shared by both youth and adults.

Thank you to our hosts for Fall Conference Youth Gatherings – Saratoga Springs UMC and Rochester: Aldersgate UMC for their exceptional hospitality. Also thank you to the bands, all the workshop leaders, guest speakers, worship leaders, youth group advisors, our district superintendents, and Bishop Webb. May God bless all of you.

While still celebrating two God-filled and Spirit-filled Fall Conference Youth Gatherings, the CCYM is looking ahead to the UPWORD Conference Youth Gathering that is scheduled for Friday-Sunday, March 31 – April 2.  This is happening earlier in the “spring” than in previous years, so it’s not too early to start making plans to attend!