***Price increases to $165.00 after September 22, 2024***
(pre-order t-shirt offered for additional $10)
Deadline: October 22, 2024
Welcome to Called to Lead: 2024 VAUMC Youth Retreat. The retreat is open to all youth (6th-12th grade). Registration is for groups only. No individual registrations are allowed. You must be registered through your youth leader and church.
The retreat will include time for worship, recreation, and sessions in a Leadership Track which each participant will choose. These tracks will offer hands-on learning experiences based on participants' interests and gifts; participants will leave with tools they can use as leaders in ministry in their local communities and churches.
At the time of registration, we will need to know the following information for all of your attendees:
1) First and Last Name
2) Gender (for lodging purposes)
3) Youth or Adult (If youth - MS or HS youth and age)
4) Any allergies or additional information we should know about the attendee
5) Total number of t-shirts you wish to order and the sizes?
6) Total number of attendees in each Leadership Track
You will be asked to register "additional attendees". This space is for each participant in your group. For each individual attendee, please provide the track in which they would like to participate.
Also, you will be asked to choose one of the following tracks when you register for the retreat:
The Worship Leader's Toolkit (Amy Cox & Rev. Lindsey Baynum-Freeman) - A hands-on, practical approach on the how's and why's to designing and leading dynamic, creative worship within your community. Tips and tools for directing a band, selecting and leading music, and planning services with a focus on the theology of worship and why we gather.
Comedy & Storytelling as Ministry (Rev. Katie Phillips) - In the beginning, God created. It turns out, God is the original improviser, the first innovator, the best storyteller. Improv Comedy offers tools to help us break out of stagnant routines. Improv requires us to expect genius out of our team and the blank canvas in front of us as we move faithfully into the future. Being a great storyteller enables you to share the hilarious, profound, and faithful ways God is at work in your life and the lives of others. This track will train participants in the art of storytelling, basic improv comedy techniques, and creative leadership. It includes an opportunity to perform a type of "Improv Church" at the end of the weekend.
Left on Read: How to Respond to God’s Call (Rev. Amie Stewart & Rev. Jack Lee) - Are you curious about how you are being called into ministry? Do you wish you understood more about yourself and your gifts? Learn about your identity as a child of God, and how - together with your peers - you are being strengthened for great work in God’s kingdom.
Connecting with God (Rev. Dr. Jason Stanley & Rev. Leigh Anne Taylor) - "How can I connect with God? How can I listen for God's voice?" If these questions have ever crossed your mind, please join Rev. Jason Stanley and Rev. Leigh Anne Taylor for a "hands-on" exploration of spiritual practices that help us connect with and listen to God. No previous experience necessary.
Justice. (Rev. Amanda Miller Garber, Rev. Russ Kerr, and leaders from The Pace Center) - Justice. We see it on t-shirts and stickers and we hear about it constantly. But, what does justice really mean, and what does our faith have to do with it? The bible has a lot to say about justice, but sometimes it's hard to know what "acting justly" actually means in our ordinary, day to day lives. This track will explore justice, advocacy and activism in a relatable and hands-on way. Expect to wrestle with some hard questions and learn more about how to work with others to create more just and equitable communities and make a real difference in the world.
Foundations for Artists as Cultural Leaders (Rev. Lisa Cole Smith) - Have you ever considered your role as a dancer, actor, photographer, writer, poet, illustrator, storyteller, musician, maker, creative (whatever you do!) to be one of leadership? An artist’s work invites others to consider new possibilities, expand the imagination, and challenge beliefs. In this way, they shape the world around them. It’s a powerful kind of leadership that needs a strong spiritual foundation, deep connection, and an awareness of how and why your work matters. In this track we’ll work together to create a toolbox to prepare and sustain you as an artist leader so you can feel clear and confident in who God has created you to be and what He’s calling you to do.
Thou Art Online - Allowing the Church to Thrive Online (13+) (Rev. Nathan Webb) - Join Rev. Nathan "NerdPastorNate" Webb on a journey of creating a whole experience of the church in digital spaces. Nathan planted Checkpoint Church, a digital-first church designed with nerds, geeks, and gamers in mind, back in 2020 and has lovingly crafted a pathway to make disciples for the transformation of the world - one nerd at a time. Learn the how and why behind the digital ministry, including evangelism, community, discipleship, and leadership. Because of parental permissions and safeguards online, this track is open to those who are 13 years or older.
Teen Mental Health First Aid (14+) (Marybeth Henry) - This leadership track equips you to recognize, identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among your friends and peers. In this track you will work to develop an action plan to help those around you who may be facing a mental health crisis. Learning about mental health challenges, as well as how to respond to them in your community, helps you to see and respond to those around you who are struggling.
Please have all of this information available before attempting to register as it will make the process much more efficient. Please contact Hannah Bryn at hannahbryn@vaumc.org if you have any questions.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you in November.