LYO

Lutheran Youth Organization of Upstate New York.
CONVO 2013 PDF Print E-mail

By: Rev. Laurie Carson, LYO Coordinator

 
Many of us remember CONVO fondly-deepening faith experiences, lifelong friendships formed with other Christians, widening horizons as youth participate in Synod Assembly, maybe even clarifying God's call to leadership in the church. 
 
That's what Youth CONVO is all about; it's a time for faith formation, building community, deep encounters with God, and serving the greater church. In order to meet those needs for today's youth, the shape of CONVO is changing in 2013. 
 
The most significant shift is timing: the retreat portion and the Synod Assembly portion will take place at separate times. 
 
CONVO: The Retreat will take place in March, allowing more youth to participate, as it does not correspond with critical examinations in June. During this time we will build intentional community, deepen faith, participate in service ministry, elect LYO officers, and plan the LYO year. 
 
CONVO: Synod Assembly is designed to support high school aged voting members in their role and to encourage those youth who are non-voting members to participate fully in Synod Assembly. Participants will arrive and leave with voting members. The traditional CONVO roles, such as greeting and paging, will be voluntary. Sleeping arrangements and supervision will remain the same. 
 
For more details, click here.
 
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A note from Abby Mandris PDF Print E-mail

I am the Upstate New York Synod Lutheran Youth Organization President. I just got back from "The Event" which is an event for youth that are leaders in the church held at the Carol Joy Holling Center in Ashland, Nebraska. It was definitely a wonderful experience and I learned a lot. Bishop Hanson even came to speak with us, which was probably my favorite part of the whole weekend!

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2013 Youth Trip to UN PDF Print E-mail

 

The New York State Council of Churches is sponsoring a leadership forum for high school youth! 
 
February 18-20, 2013 (during Presidents Week recess) the NY State Council of Churches will sponsor a leadership forum for students in grades 9-12.  The group will visit the United Methodist Seminar Office at the United Nations for a 2-day interactive seminar on peacemaking at home and abroad.  The seminar will include a guided tour of the U.N.  The cost for the trip will be $325 which includes transportation, housing, seminar costs and 3 group meals.  
    
For more information, contact the Rev. Brooke Newell, Director of Public Policy Advocacy for the NY State Council of Churches at 518-946-2573 or brooke@cjgreen.net.  
 
  
 
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What's Bright Yellow, has 640 Eyes, 3,200 Fingers, One Head and Smiles a Lot? PDF Print E-mail

 

By Rev. Laurie Carson, Synod LYO Advisor
 
 
Answer: The Upstate New York Synod delegation to National Youth Gathering.
 
I know Bishop Jerge kept you updated during the Gathering, but we want to keep the momentum going with some memories of the Youth Gathering.
 
In July, 320 high school youth and adults traveled from around Upstate New York to New Orleans, Louisiana. Most of us were housed in the same hotel and we spent time together in worship, Bible Study, and play. It was the first time some had heard of a synod or met Bishop Jerge. This time together, intentionally planned by Gathering staff, helped us get to know one another and make connections that can keep that "Gathering Momentum" going.
 
But it wasn't just us! Over 33,000 Lutherans, from all over the U.S. and its territories, were in town that week. Together we fully lived the quote on our Gathering T-shirt: "Our faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing." (Martin Luther). We served the people of New Orleans and got to know their amazing city. We worshiped in the Superdome and filled the streets with Christ's joy. We contributed 1,193 pints of blood, 509 "heads" of hair, $256,000 during Sunday offering, more than $400,000 towards the 100 Wells Challenge. Several adults from Upstate New York put in many hours, much energy, and lots of travel during the years and weeks preceding the gathering to make sure we'd have a blessed experience for all. Special thanks to the following:
  • Rick Mollenkopf-Grill, Niagara Frontier Conference LYO Advisor, was Synod Coordinator
  • The Rev. Justin Johnson, Pastor of St. Timothy, Geneseo, was Synod Coach
  • Kristin Rommel, Youth Minister in Genesee-Finger Lakes, was a core team person with the Practice Discipleship Day
  • The Rev. Shawn Hannon, Pastor at Hope, Arcade worked on the Safety and Security team
  • Chris George, Prince of Peace, Depew, worked on the Safety and Security team 
  • Toni Bliemeister, Town Line, Alden, was a part of the Gathering Volunteer Corps
  • Bishop Jerge was, well, all over the place with us
  • Adults gave of their time, energy, money, and love to prepare and shepherd young disciples 
  • Congregations and their members provided financial assistance, emotional support, patience, and prayer
Jesus Christ is, was, and always will be the Head of this yellow, multi-eyed, smiling body of youth and their adults from Upstate New York. To him be the praise and glory! 
Let's keep the momentum going! One promising idea is a synod-wide service day, in which each conference participates in service projects on the same day. Ponder the possibilities...
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