I am pleased to share with you about the National Youth Conference called “YOUTH2027” in which we will be attending with our young people from SYUMC. This event will be an unforgettable journey of discipleship, fellowship and worship!
WHAT: “YOUTH 2027” is the national gathering for United Methodist (UMC) youth groups and their adult leaders. Is held only every 4 years in a different city.
FOCUS: The theme is “PROX”…
PROX [adjective] Rooted in the Latin word proximus – which can mean both nearest and next – the theme invites us to pay attention to what is close at hand while stepping faithfully into what comes next. We will come away with a new sense of what it means to being proximate and responsive in faith and action.
DATES: July 11 – 14, 2027 (Our travel dates: Saturday, July 10 for arrival into Dallas, and Wednesday, July 14 for departure).
WHO CAN ATTEND: Youth in 6th Grade – 12th Grade, and their Adult Leaders.
WHERE: Dallas, Texas. Under one roof, the Conference and Lodging are held at the Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion Tower, 300 Reunion Blvd, Dallas, Texas.
CORE ACTIVITIES: Large group worship sessions, over 30 interactive workshops, community-building connectional events, and hands-on service mission projects.
CONFERENCE LEADER: Chris Wilterdink, who serves as Executive Director of Congregational Vitality and Intentional Discipleship of the United Methodist Church. Chris has a BA in English Education, and an MS in Project Management, and over 15 years of local-church youth ministry experience. He is passionate about leadership and faith development in young people and helping ministry leaders understand their value in the lives of young people.
As we continue planning for this life-changing faith event in which we will be joining over 2500 people from all over the US and a handful of other countries, we thank you for your support, and more importantly your prayers. We may be the ones physically attending this conference however, by God’s grace you all will be going with us in spirit by the many way’s you have touched our children lives enabling this journey to be realized. Much heartfelt gratitude to Julie Kennie and Connie Swedlund for their amazing effort and enthusiasm to team up with us!Official registration will open in about a month, in which time I will share more details as to the financial commitment for each participant. In the meantime, we are planning special events and special ways the children can help with the cost. I have also been in touch with conference, and we are a good candidate to be awarded Grant money. Knowing God has put this on our hearts, for our young people to have this opportunity to be a part of this powerful faith experience is truly a blessing! Gathering together at a conference like this is far more valuable than any exposure we in the local church could ever give to our youth.
Special thank you to Cookie and Buzz Barry for lovingly welcoming all of us to their home for a wonderful visit! It was truly a gift to be in one another’s company, such happy memories of our first outing with Pastor Victor and the Han family.
With God’s blessings and love,
Valerie Jansson
Director of Children and Youth Ministries