Report of the Metro Youth Advisory Team

Psalm 27:1-3
The Lord is my light and my salvation; I will fear no one. The Lord protects me from all danger; I will never be afraid.

The Metro Youth Advisory Team has been inactive this past year. This is because the those persons elected have either moved out of state, resigned due to time constraints or never responded to outreach efforts. It takes more than one person to have a viable youth ministry program in this Association.

The New York Conference State Youth Event was held March 10-12, 2006 at Watson Homestead painted Post, New York . The Youth Event is planned by the New York Conference State Youth Committee, comprised of two youth and an advisor from each Association. Metro is represented by Catherine Jordan from Flatbush Tompkins Congregational Church and Bobbie Crooks from Lemuel Haynes Congregational Church UCC. The advisor is Terry McKnight from The Congregational Church of South Hempstead UCC. Deborah Dee Brayton is the Co-Coordinator of the State Youth Committee.

The theme of the event was "Challenges"; the scripture text was taken from Psalm 27:1-3, 5-14 and 2 Corinthians 4:8-10. The keynote speaker was Minister Tim Fauvell, Youth Pastor at Briarcliff UCC. Tim Fauvell is relatively new to the United Church of Christ. He is a seasoned Broadway performer and the Chaplin at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital . Tim Fauvell will be ordained April 30, 2006 . Tim had a wonderful and powerful way of relating his faith journey to youth. The youth had the opportunity to choose from over 10 workshops spanning a wide range of topics. There was worship every night and the evening ended with vespers. Metro was responsible for the Saturday Evening worship Service. The message was written by Catherine Jordan.

The following Churches attended the event this year: Flatbush Tompkins, Lemuel Haynes, Union Congregational (NYC) and Briarcliff Congregational. This was the first time Briarcliff Congregational has attended a youth event.

This is an excerpt from the Youth News from Briarcliff Congregational Church. "Blessings! We did it! We went to the UCC/NY State Youth Conference and it is unanimous-We had a great time! You would have been proud of the BCC youth. They repeatedly stepped up to the plate showing the love of Christ and what it means to live in fellowship."

It was a time of reflection and commitment. We dealt with issues of justice-racism, classim, and sexism, politics and other challenges facing our youth. The youth are determined to make a difference and want their churches to help them in this mission. It is amazing what can happen when you and 200 other youth and youth ministers come together. We were energized by the experience. We made many new friends .We are planning our trip back next year! Mark your calendar for March 9-11, 2007.

Those in attendance at the Event were among the first in the Conference to view the new "God is Still Speaking" ad. Rev. Michael Caine challenge the youth to take action and make a difference in their Faith Community.

Thank you to Rev. Michael Caine, Staff Support and to the Metro Association for the financial support for the bus to Watson.

2007 Calendar

March 9-10, 2007 New York Conference State Youth Event
July 18-22, 2007 United Black Christians National Youth Event

View Printable version of this page
Next: January - February 2006 Income Statement


Return to top of page