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Day 13: Life in the Spirit: Living into God’s Call
Friday, July 17th, 2009 | Uncategorized | Comments Off
Today is hard to summarize, especially at this late hour! We began with a wonderful plenary session with Dr. David White of Austin Presbyterian Seminary. We learned about the three offices of Christ–his role as prophet, priest and king. We also talked about our own calling and vision for our lives as we participate in those offices and were given a chance to draw where we might see ourselves down the road.
This afternoon was spent meeting with small groups, enjoying some free time and watching a slideshow of the last two weeks. These weeks have flown by and it’s hard to believe we all go home tomorrow. In closing worship tonight, preached by Rev. Jason Burnham, we prayed together and were anointed with oil, a sign of God’s healing presence commissioning us to go into the world and be leaders in our communities.
After that, we had a time of sharing what we wanted to take home. For most of us, this was an experience of real community that we have not found elsewhere, and imagining the loss of that is difficult. But at the same time, we have talked about ways to create authentic community wherever we are. We pray that the Holy Spirit would empower us to do just that.
Day 12-Life in the Spirit: Heeding the Spirit’s Prompting
Friday, July 17th, 2009 | Uncategorized | Comments Off
There is far too much to write about today. We explored the question: “What is the Spirit saying to the Church? We had an amazing plenary session this morning with Dr. Heath in which she posed that question and then talked about how some communities are heeding the Spirit’s prompting through the New Monasticism. To understand more about what New Monasticism is, visit www.newmonasticism.org The new monastics are communities of people committed to a new way of living in community that challenges us to think more deeply about how we might truly connect with one another, really know our neighbors, fully embrace those who suffer and journey together. She talked about how we often “shop around” for churches that meet OUR needs (the kind of worship we like, studies that are interesting, a place to drop off the kids, etc), rather than a church that will help us invest in broken people and and answer the call to community. She showed examples of various communities that are practicing new monasticism.
We had another special guest this afternoon. Bishop Huie arrived in time to visit us in the Arts Village and then joined us for dinner. After dinner, we had a conversation with her about our experience here and about calling and other things. It was amazing to hear the kids describe what they have learned this week. We could see the Holy Spirit working as the kids described lessons learned that we not intentionally taught by anyone. They were just lessons learned by being together in community. The Bishop also fielded questions from the students. I wish we had recorded their questions and her answers, but the one that sticks out is the student that asked “If you could give one piece of advice to us for ministry, what would it be?” the Bishop’s response was “Be courageous. Step toward the courage.”
We moved from there into a time of contemplative worship. Rev. Ben Trammell preached for us on heeding the Spirit, reminding us that Christianity is not about “if you die tomorrow, where are you going to go” but rather, “if you wake up tomorrow, how are you going to live?” We then had stations for prayer, with beautiful art that the students who planned the service created.
It’s hard to believe we are drawing close to the end of our time. Be praying for us as we prepare to go back home!
Day 11-Life in the Spirit: The Church as a Community of Reconciliation
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 | Uncategorized | Comments Off
Today we talked about the rhythm of reconciliation. To learn a rhythm, you can’t just hear about it. Dr. Elaine Heath began her lecture this morning by handing out rhythm instruments, from tamborines to gatorade bottles to chopsticks. As she read through the narrative of our life together, from creation, to Incarnation, resurrection and more, we drummed out a rhythm. This was our centering for our conversation about the difficult rhythm of reconciliation.
Dr. Heath is a professor of Evangelism at Perkins and framed our plenary today with this definition of evangelism: Evangelism is the holistic initiation of persons into the holy life revealed in Jesus Christ, empowered by the HOly Spirit, surrendered to the reign of God and grounded in the Church. From there she asked us to consider what it might mean for evangelsim to mean helping people heal from violence? Or what if it’s creating a family for people who have no family? Or what is deploying people OUT from the church and into neighborhoods to create communities? She asked us to consider what our churches are doing with the HALT (Hurt, Angry, Lonely, Tired). We also looked to the example of Bethel New Life community in Chicago, a community that cares for all ages and kinds of people from the elderly, to children to those who have just been released from prison. They all live together in community and try to care for the needs of each person. She then invited us to the time of prayer, using various stations focusing on our lectionary passages and different practices of prayer. Needless to say, we are excited for her to return tomorrow!
We had our final day of mission projects today, followed by an amazing meal at St. John’s UMC here in Georgetown. We had a gospel worship service tonight preached by Rev. Daniel Irving, who reminded us that in the Church, we are called to tear down walls and fences, not build them! He celebrated Holy Communion for us, and when we STILL hadnt returned to our seats after several minutes of passing the peace, he shouted “wow! You guys really love each other.” We all laughed, but its true…the community we have formed is a beautiful thing!
Now the jam session has become, a Connect Four tournament seems to be getting going and I have to put down the computer and get to it! Peace!
A Post from Mimi Nimocks, Artist in Residence
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 | Uncategorized | Comments Off
Texas Conference Youth Academy continues to be amazing. Parents, the youth you have sent us are incredible – creative and willing to share their creative spirit through visuals in the worship services.
My job in the Arts Village is to oversee some of the Visuals for worship (Aliah James is also a contributing artist), make sure the altars are set up as well as teach visuals (why, how, etc.) to our students. As of today I have met with all of the students. We have talked about types of learning styles, how to study the Scriptural Text for the service, really ‘hear’ the Text, brainstorm visually, select colors, what makes up good design, perspective, contrast, etc. Than each group of students, armed with their newfound knowledge, did one or two practice altars in my classroom.
Last week I did all of the worship designs while they studied and watched. This week the responsibility is theirs from Monday thru Thursday. Monday nite the service was quite traditional and the focus of the Text was the Resurrection. The altar was formal, classic and simple. This does not mean we were without visuals tho! A Paschal candle, used during the Easter season, was next to the altar. Often carried in procession on Easter Sunday, it reminds us of the Risen Christ. We had a procession here with a cross bearer and all the participants. We also had a VERY large Bible which was held in the midst of the worshippers for the readings.
Tonight (Tues) we focused on “remembering.” We remembered our Baptism and we remembered to bear witness in the world. This particular worship group designed what they wanted for the altar arrangement and they selected appropriate colors and symbols. We did a ‘practice altar’ in my classroom, tweaking the elements a bit, adding candles, water and making it their own. Then we transferred the design to the worship area at First UMC Georgetown and actually had the service there.
This coming Thursday, the students are allowed to come back to a class which particularly interests them for one further session. They all seemed to love the large candles I have made for our altars here and so we may begin the process of making BIG candles which they can continue at home on their own.
As you can imagine, the Arts Village is somewhat fluid, depending on needs at the time vs. how much info we can pour into these students in such a short amount of time. Nonetheless, it has been a joy to work with them and get to know them during this academy. A lot of them have told me they had no idea how to do worship visuals or how long it took to plan each one. Hopefully, since they have learned the process they now might be able to assist at their home church, do visuals for a youth service or teach someone else the process.
Gratefully serving, Mimi Nimocks / Worship Visuals
Day 10- Life in the Spirit: The Church as Witness
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 | Uncategorized | Comments Off
It’s hard to believe we are drawing so near to the end of TYA! We began our “Life in the Spirit” series with which we’ll finish out the week. Dr. Ted Campbell of Perkins School of Theology joined us this morning and gave an engaging and thought-provoking lecture that even included sound effects! We began by talking about definitions of the Church, looking to the creeds and the Articles of Religion in the Book of Discipline to understand how “Church” has been defined. We then talked about what that means for us and brainstormed exactly what WE think makes up the Church. We then looked to Acts 2 to discuss Biblical definitions of Church, particularly looking at the 5 elements of Church we can see in verses 41-42: the the Church is marked by the Apostle’s teaching, baptism, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer. The students also all read (repeated) Greek and Latin today!
We had another day in the Arts Village–the students have now visited each artist and have created some amazing things and learned a lot. They have applied much of what they learned to the worship services they have been planning. Speaking of that, the group that planned a contemporary worship service were up tonight. We had an amazing service at FUMC Georgetown. The students led music, prayers and read scripture. They also provided space to us to remember our baptism when we came for communion. Rev. Josh Hale preached about how the Church bears witness to God in the world and reminded us that remembering is a primary task of the Church. We have to remember what God has done for us so that we can share it with the world. It was a beautiful night.
The students are coming back in from mentor groups and we are participating in a different kind of sacrament-watching the end of the All-star game! Tomorrow, Dr. Elaine Heath will come and continue the “Life in the Spirit” series by talking about the Church as a community of reconciliation. Stay tuned for more!
Day 9-Resurrection!
Monday, July 13th, 2009 | Uncategorized | Comments Off
He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! It’s Easter here at TYA. Today we talked about Resurrection. The day began with a lecture by Dr. Arun Jones of Austin Presbyterian Seminary. He asked how our lives are different because Jesus rose from the dead? We read through the lectionary passages for the day and learned about how the women who first found Jesus. Another question he posed was how do we take risks for God’s righteousness because of the resurrection?
We had another day of service this afternoon, going to various sites around Georgetown to get to know the community. Tonight began our series of worship services planned by the students. Tonight;s worship was “high Church”, complete with a crucifer, Gospel processional, responsive readings and the Nicene Creed. The students did not select their styles of worship to plan, so for many of the planners, this was a brand new experience. The service was wonderful and we even heard a student comment that he was developing more of an appreciation for that style of worship even though it was very different than his own home church.
Rev. Taylor Fuerst preached the service tonight, on our text from Corinthians, proclaiming that it was not enough for the Church there to simply believe in Jesus’ resurrection. They had to believe in their own. After all, if it stops with God, what difference does it make for us? Which led to talk about what it means to have faith, and to us learning a new word: faithiness. You may or may not remember, but a few years ago, Stephen Colbert invented the word “truthiness” for something that seems like it could be true, if spoken loud and often enough. But its not truthfulness. Like that, a person can believe all the right things, say the right things, say them loud enough, but without it really spilling over into our lives in a real way, its empty. Faithfulness and faithiness are not the same!
In other news from today, the students have discovered that other things can be used as drums. Trash cans, chairs, whatever is around. Thus, the volume of the common room is ever-increasing. However, the kids are actually so talented, its hard to make them stop! But let that explain the many typos and grammatical errors in the blog posts! Ultimate frisbee continues to be our common pastime, as you can see from the pictures. The 103 degree heat does not seem to faze anyone much. Tomorrow, we are gearing up for another day in the Arts Village–after tomorrow, the students will have visited all four artists and learned a little something about several different expressions of worship and faith.
So, we are underway for week 2! It’s hard to believe we have already been here for over a week!
Days 7 and 8–Service and Sabbath
Monday, July 13th, 2009 | Uncategorized | Comments Off
What a weekend! After quite an adventure on Saturday, we made our way to the Community Garden here in Georgetown for a service project as a whole group. We helped weed, we picked veggies and helped clean up around a huge garden. We learned about how all the people who have gardens there promise to give a percentage of the crop to the local food pantry and how this giant organic garden is not only helping the environment but is providing healthy food options to low-income families who often only have access to foods that are heavily processed and non-perishable. The whole community worked hard, and then enjoyed lunch out under the trees, followed by a worship service out on the grass in which we talked about Wesley’s call to Social holiness. We talked about the ways we can be more just people in our communities and how we can be mindful of our brothers and sisters around the world who are victims of injustice.
That evening, we had the TYA 2009 talent show! These are some seriously talented students. We had everything from music, to dance, to sign language singing, to saxaphone, to poetry reading and much more! We were all amazed at the great talent in our midst!
Sunday, we talked about what it means to practice Sabbath. We took a whole day to rest and remember that God is in control and we can all stop working and accomplishing tasks for one day and just be with God and one another. On Saturday, we talked about how this is not a passive, lazy practice, but an active one–a protest against our culture that tells us that our only value comes from what we do, from what we can produce or consume. Keeping Sabbath reminds us that our value comes from our Baptism and nowhere else. We had a wonderful day just enjoying rest and spending time together playing and talking. That night, we ordered pizza and the dorms and had movie night on the big screen before bed.
It was a great weekend, giving us a needed break as we prepare for another full week!
Day 6-Passion
Saturday, July 11th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 2 Comments
We had another great lecture today by Dr. Rieger on why Jesus had to die on the cross. He went through several historical theories of atonement and we talked about what it means that Jesus died and what the implications of his death are for how we live. We also had our third Arts Village and a very special worship service with Ken Medema. I am copying the email one of our artists in residence sent to some friends and colleagues from home about the day.
“I am working with a most remarkable team of talented, creative, kind, and caring staff at the Youth Academy. Tonight was another amazing and life-impacting day for the youth and adults. Ken Mendema and I, per Taylor’s suggestion, worked together in concert this afternoon in the Storytelling class. It was astonishing and deeply powerful for all of us. I had no idea who Ken was or what he could do and am so glad that Taylor pressed to have him come to the Storytelling class and to allow me to work with him. I moved my class from the classroom to the chapel altar end of the nave so that Ken could play piano during the class. We all stepped into the unknown as we adjusted at the last minute to experiment with this setting. My approach was to have 15 items on display in my “classroom” table…statue of Peter holding the keys and the rooster, photo of Daniel and I on the tractor in Point Enterprise, Indian Storyteller figurine, USAF chaplain’s field kit, book on Satchel Paige the Negro baseball player, photo taken in Germany of the four in our family by the vineyard, Bitburg wooden clacker, Boston Red Sox baseball cap, etc. I opened the class with having the students each select one item that reminded them of something in their lives, even if they did not know what the item was. (I would later tell them what that item meant to me…only after I heard their connection and story first).
They wanted to know what some of the items were but I told them it did not matter what the item was nor did it matter what the items meant to me…that what mattered was what the item reminded them of in their own lives. Then they had two minutes each to tell of what that item reminded them of in their lives…their story. I was introducing them to telling and shaping their own story by seeing themselves in some item. I started the process by telling them that my mind at that point was REALLY in Atlanta, Georgia where my wife and daughter were picking up my son from the airport after his year of school in Germany. Told them I wanted to be there at this moment at the airport but that I was going to work hard to be here in this moment for them. All of a sudden Ken broke out playing a most beautiful piece, that he had just composed while I talked, with my exact words in prose and song and then he added my unspoken parts…and a father wanting to be in Atlanta but choosing to be here for these people in this circle, etc. We all had to wipe the tears from our eyes. I have never seen anything like this nor experienced anything at that level of creativity. He did that with each story, from the serious to the most humorous elements of one’s story. The first girl connected with the Point Enterprise tractor story…and told of how she and her sister used to love to play on the farm around a tractor and how she missed those days. Another boy (earlier in the week) came to life over the tractor story when he found out the photo was taken in Mexia area…he is from Teague and was thrilled that someone even KNEW where Teague even was located!
It was beyond description of what he could compose and play and sing right on the spot. Genius mind and skills. No one wanted to leave the church building tonight when our service was over. We could have danced all night…and he had youth and adults up dancing (UMC ministers in robes, I add danced alongside the youth and even the artists!), youth processed to the altar with two beautiful processional crosses draped in liturgical fabric pieces while Ken played, youth read the scriptures while Ken played, Ken sang and played while communion was served to folks in blue jeans and shorts and ministerial robes in the campus chapel, Ken had us up and dancing to a song (he says God calls us to dance) and having the time of their lives…then he would switch and play classical hymns in prayerful manner.”
As I hope you can tell, we had powerful night. Rev. Leah King brought preached the service and spoke of how the wounds of Christ and the peace of Christ are inseparable, and that God is with us in our wounds. The students and adults were all deeply touched by her words and God’s Spirit was among us throughout the evening as we listening, prayed, sang and danced.
To the parents who are reading this: be very, very proud of your kids. They have been gracious and kind to one another and to the staff and gone above and beyond to be helpful and supportive. NOt only that, they are SO FUN. We just can’t get enough of them! It was an incredible and exhausting day and they all hung in there with each other for every minute of it. I am so thankful to be able to witness the community they have formed!
Day 5-Incarnation
Thursday, July 9th, 2009 | Uncategorized | Comments Off
“This is where real theology happens.” So began this morning’s lecture with Dr. Joerg Rieger, Professor of Constructive Theology at Perkins. Real theology is happening here–not just in words but in the way the students are living with one another and serving together. It’s a beautiful thing. We start our day each morning with Morning Prayer after breakfast. We gather in the Chapel, sing, read scripture and offer prayer. Each morning, there are spaces in our prayers of the people for the community to call out names and lift their own prayers. The sound of all these students murmuring prayers is one that I hope not to forget for a long time. As we left this morning and the youth gathered on the lawn in front of the Chapel, one of them said “This is all the evidence you need of the Holy Spirit” and gestured toward his fellow students. Thanks be to God.
We were challenged by another wonderful lecture with Dr. Rieger. We are grappling with the mystery of the Holy Trinity, learning that there are many perspectives from which to think about it. We learned the the Empire shaped many people’s thoughts about God, but that it was not the only point of view. This moved us into our conversation about Incarnation and just what it means the God took on our flesh and came to be a part of us. Dr. Rieger challenged us to get specific about who Jesus really was on earth. Born in a stable to an unwed teenager with no place to go, Jesus wasn’t what anyone was expecting. We discussed where Jesus might turn up if he came back here. We figured the kind of place Jesus would be would be with the people of this world for whom there is no room at the Inn. The people who sleep outside. We thought Jesus would be born under a bridge in some city. Would we find him there? Would we believe it if someone told us that is where he was?
We know Jesus would be there, because God is always taking a stand on the side of those who suffer and are cast out. ”Because Jesus was born in a manger doesn’t mean that it doesn’t matter what is going on in the palace”, Dr Rieger said, but the point is that we must be with those who suffer, because we are all a part of the body of Christ and if you ignore a part of the body that is hurting, it will destroy the whole body.
Needless to say, we had much to think about throughout the day as we went out for our second day of Mission projects. Today, a group of students did crafts with the Boys and Girls Club, while another helped a youth group prepare for their mission trip, and another helped at Habitat for Humanity Restore. The 4th group went to an equestrian center for people with disabilities and mucked stalls this afternoon–truly an act of humble servanthood! All of the students served faithfully and cheerfully in the 102 degree heat!
We had a traditional Hymn Sing tonight at FUMC Georgetown after a wonderful meal provided by St. Phillip’s UMC in Round Rock. Rev. Kim Cape came to us from San Antonio and offered a powerful message about calling, talking about Moses at the burning bush. We reminded again to pay attention to what God is doing in our lives.
It has been another full day. Hopefully, as we grow more accustomed to our rhythm of life here, you can hear more reflections from the students. As an Assistant Director, I am a somewhat outside observer to much of what happens in small groups and Arts Village and MIssion sites. But let me tell you, the view from here looks more often than not like a little glimpse of the Kingdom of God. We are all thankful to be serving here together. Thank you for your prayers!
Day 4-Covenant
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 1 Comment
I am finding difficult, as we all sit in the common area of our dorm, to concentrate on writing a decent blog against the cacophony of voices and noises in the room. Let me paint a little picture:
-In one corner, there are adults downloading music and playing into the rest of the room.
-There is a group of youth in another corner are playing “The Cup Game”, a game you are likely familiar with if you have ever been to camp. Basically, it’s a lot of kids in a circle with cup and there is a pattern and rhythm in which everyone flips them around and passes them. It gets very fast and exciting with lots of banging cups on the tables and occasionally against their own heads.
- The doors of the dorm have to be locked at all times. Which means approximately every 2 minutes, someone pounds (POUNDS) on the door to be let in.
-A group of students is settling in with their guitars, amps and drums, adding an interesting blend with music-downloading adults to my right.
- Students and staff are recapping the day, talking and laughing throughout the room.
-Someone discovered the sports equipment in the corner and are now inventing indoor sports. It might become a danger zone for the laptop soon.
-Another small group just came in singing their new theme song “Aint No Mountain High Enough”. That makes three songs at once. Sweet.
-One of the artists is teaching a salsa dancing lesson behind me.
-Dr. Waddleton is somehow on the phone in the middle of all of it–though we suspect he is just letting someone hear all the commotion!
Keep in mind, this is not a gym, but a smallish common room in the dorm–its chaos, but it’s the very best kind of chaos. Th students are really growing together through these days of studying, prayer, worship, play and service. This morning Dr. Stamm came to talk to us about covenant. While many of the students expected to go through all the scriptural accounts of covenant and talk about what it is, we spent more time talking about “how God makes covenant with us and how we are in covenant with God and each other” as one student summarized tonight.
We are continuing to experience variety in worship style. Tonight, we had a jazz service, accompanied by our worship leader, Taylor Davis and his bandmates. Rev Matt Stone, one of our mentors, preached the service and the kids have been talking about his sermon all night. Matt challenged us all on what it means to live in covenant with one another, sharing the little-known story of David and Mephibosheth (check it out in 2 Samuel 9). He told us about how David wanted to show the kindness of God to someone from Saul’s family, though Saul had spent many years trying to kill David. The only one left is Mephibosheth, a crippled man, outcast and alone in the world. David brought him to his house and he ate at the King’s table for the rest of his days. We all left wondering who we were supposed to be David to in our lives? To whom can we show our love and God’s love that we might often overlook?
Hopefully, we’ll start sharing more of the student’s thoughts and comments with you. The staff all constantly sit back in awe of how amazing the students are. Its not uncommon to see us beaming with pride in the back of the classroom when one of them shares a profound insight. And we’re always coming up and sharing things like student who said “I am really starting to appreciate traditional worship” or how the students came together in the arts village to do some awesome project. It is really a joy to witness God at work in them and all of us. Off for some rest before another big day tomorrow!
