SIC youth look to the cross

By Beckie Minglin

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." This scripture from 1 Peter 1:13 was the theme for the SIC Bishop's Youth Rally on March 9 at Greenwood UMC.

Three hundred and twenty-four youth, adult leaders and pastors gathered from 38 churches around the conference for praise, worship and Bishop White's annual address to our youth.

The band Lifeboat had the group on their feet, providing upbeat, youth-oriented worship music to open and close the morning session. Chalk artist, Travis King came to share his story of being an adaptive ski instructor in Breckenridge, Colorado. In teaching the physically and mentally handicapped to ski he learned that it is not in falling down that we fail, it's in staying down. He ended his message encouraging the audience not to look at the obstacles in life, but to look for the joy, look at the cross.

The lunch break offered skits, games and really cool tricks performed by youth workers. Jessica Hawkins, 14, liked the Christian edition of Fear Factor best.

In the afternoon, Bishop White spoke to the youth on being United Methodist. He shared with them our history of coming from various cultures, languages, different ethnicities and races, that we are all United Methodist. "God decided His family would be diverse. We should represent that family in the United Methodist Church."

Bishop White went on to tell them of the books that connect us, the Bible, The Book of Discipline, The Book of Resolutions, The Book of Worship and The Book of Hymns, describing them all in detail and effectively so that they were memorable to all who heard. Coming out of the session, Jermaine Burks of University UMC, Indianapolis and Jessica Wray of Emmanuel UMC in Noblesville were both quick to recite the list of books when asked.

During the question and answer period the youth enjoyed asking the bishop personal questions. Bishop White shared the story of his call to ministry, his middle name and that he considers one of the best things about being a bishop "being with the people in different churches."

Pastor James Anyike of University UMC feels it an important event for our youth. "It gives us a way to expose them, outside of regular church, to new ways of looking at our relationship with Christ and to fellowship with other youth."

Beckie Minglin is the SIC youth coordinator.

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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