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Showing posts with the label NYWC

SWB part one: Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Last week, I spent some time in Cincinnati, Ohio at the National Youth Workers Convention. I had the honor of helping out with registration, so I went a day early as it took over six hours for me to drive there. On my way out to Ohio, most of my drive was gray and rainy. About four hours in to the trip, the sky opened up to pockets of sunlight. The light streamed in beams upon 271 South to 71 South for the remainder of the drive. My mood was lifted by the sunlight as I drove through the places they touched down. I began to forget about the chill of the long rainstorm I'd driven through. The sunlight helped me to begin thinking in the realm of possibility and promise. The whole convention had the theme of "time". It encouraged the youth workers that attended to be sure to allow for the care and rest of their own souls, as well a the motivation to not take the present moment for granted. Each day seemed to settle into its own theme for me as well. Getting started: Thursda...

Interactive Labyrinth

Labyrinth image from Soupablog. When looking through the links on The Open Door's website last evening, I stumbled across a website with an interactive Labyrinth to allow viewers to participate in this ancient Christian prayer practice. When I was at the YS National Youth Workers Convention in Pittsburgh several years ago, I was able to go through the physical version of this labyrinth and greatly enjoyed the experience. I was highly impressed that this online version was just as wonderful (although somewhat different) way to participate in this method of prayer. The prayer experience takes about 30-40 minutes, so allow the time needed as to not hurry through the different stations. It's well worth the time! Be blessed on the journey.

Supermodel?

Photo from Kendall Payne's website I saw Kendall Payne perform at the NYWC in Pittsburgh last fall - lovely and clever music indeed!

NYWC Network really helpful

Hey just in case you are attending or have some friends that are attending the NYWC in Pittsburgh this weekend they have a communication and planning network up that is really helpful in making connections and working out your schedule for the weekend. Let me know if you'll be there and we can catch up in the 'Burgh! Here's the link to my profile on the YS site: Tara's YS page. Tara

Sleeping with bread - What gives and drains life

Draining life reminds me of doing dishes. Be it the sound of water rushing down the growling disposal or not - stuff goes down the drain everyday. Right now as I write there are a sink full waiting for me. But they will just have to wait. Maybe it's all a reminder of this Monday examen, both in the symbolism and reality of letting something go of one thing in order to hold on to something good. This last week was busy. I'm constantly introducing myself and retelling what feels like my life story. At my new office the other staff kept saying, " All we feel we're doing is giving you more files and info every minute." It was a lot to take in and some moments were weird. I did not relocate to move to work at my new church, but in most ways it feels as I have since somehow I don't really know anyone who attends the church from my sixteen years of living in the community of Jamestown. Its all new and yet familiar all at once. I take my daughter to school in the mo...

Its like Disney Land for youth workers

The Youth Specialties Convention is a great event. In fact, I'd say that I'd agree with the "Skit Guys" and concur -"It's like Disney Land for Youth workers!" There is time to learn, meet fellow youth workers, take in a great city, (Pittsburgh ROCKS, but they have the event in Sacramento and Nashville too!) take time to rest, reflect and plan, enter for all sorts of cool drawings in the merchandise area, take a walk through the prayer labyrinth or chapel, take in some concerts or just take a nap.... (sometimes we need that you know!) Three years ago, I attended the event in Pittsburgh PA - and it did provide me with lots of opportunity to learn about what resources are available, but the greatest thing I came back with that event from was an affirmation of my calling to ministry as well as some lessons in how to live in ministry and continue to foster my own faith journey as well. If you have an opportunity and the budget to send your youth people on a...