300th Anniversary

Resources for Youth

Engaging Youth in the Anniversary

We hope youth will be actively engaged in the celebration of our 300th anniversary.  Download a list of ideas for engaging youth in the anniversary here.

Ideas for Nurturing Passion and Connectedness Around Issues of Identity

As part of the anniversary celebration, we hope youth (and adults) will develop a sense of passion and connectedness around our identity as a peculiar people.  To that end, we have developed a list of ideas to help youth explore--scripturally, historically, theologically, practically--some of the core values we share as Brethren.  This list coincides with the topics covered in Piecing Together the Brethren Way, the curriculum resource developed for children.

Anniversary Writing Contest for Youth

Calling all youth! Are you passionate about your faith? Do you have a deep appreciation for the Church of the Brethren? Do you enjoy thinking and writing? If so, we have an opportunity for you.

Even as we celebrate 300 years of rich history and heritage we are embracing our present and looking ahead to the future. As we do so, the Anniversary Committee is sponsoring an opportunity for you—youth, grades 6-12—to express your thoughts and ideas through writing. The theme is: Why will you continue to be part of the Church of the Brethren?

Entries are limited to one page in length and can be in the form of poetry, short stories or essays. The following information should be on the entry: name, grade, congregation and district. Contact information should be submitted on a separate sheet of paper.

Submissions should be sent to Lorele Yager either electronically at loreleyager@aol.com or hard copy to 425 Woodland Place, Churubusco, IN 46723. The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2008. Entries will be exhibited at Annual Conference in Richmond, Virginia and some may be published in Messenger. Entries will not be returned to participants.

Youth Heritage Travel Teams

Each district was invited to select two youth to participate in the Youth Heritage Travel Team program.  Twenty-one of our twenty-three districts sent teams of youth to a special training weekend, April 13-15, 2007 in Elgin.  While there, these young people had the opportunity to work with Jeff Bach and Jim Lehman around issues of heritage and identity.  In addition, they were coached by Paula Langdon in drama, Leslie Lake in music, Wendy McFadden in public presentation skills, Rhonda Pittman Gingrich and Leslie Lake in worship leadership, Jim Lehman in storytelling, and Chris Douglas in leadership and organizational skills.  They were also given outlines for educational presentations, worship resources, DVD resources, and a new CD of Andy Murray's heritage music.

Throughout the anniversary year, these teams will be ready to visit congregations to lead in worship and/or educational/workshop settings.  They are faithful, committed, passionate, articulate, creative young people and are eager to share their excitement and enthusiasm about our heritage and identity as a distinctive community of faith.  Any congregation that invites them to share their gifts will be empowered by their message.

For more information about how to schedule a team, congregations can call their district offices.

The following additional resources for youth can also be downloaded and printed. Your computer will need Acrobat Reader to allow you to view these PDF files. If you do not have Reader on your computer, a free download is available.