06/15/04 Montreat Edition Greetings to you all from the somewhat wet but always refreshing Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, North Carolina. I am here with 15 of our high school youth, CE director Terry and advisor Jim Watson for Week Two of the Montreat Youth Conference. Candy Wheat (CE director at Trinity) and 4 youth from Trinity Church, and one from Strathmoor Church, are also staying with us here. We left Beulah last Sunday at 7:30 AM last Sunday morning
- and the trip was "supposed" to take about 7 hours. So our driver, John, pulled over. Twice we helped in get some water into this very high spot on the back of the bus which got us another few miles to an exit with some fast food places - and a welcome center where the very nice woman let us use a meeting room with a TV - which was very nice since we had to wait three hours - yes, that's 3 hours, for another bus to come and pick us up. With some excitement we began the trip again - which went very well until we hit traffic due to road construction - and it took us 2.5 hours to 20 miles. And then when we got through that it stated to rain quite a bit, but we were moving - that is until we saw a fire truck speed by with sirens going and we thought, "I wonder if there has been an accident ahead of us" - which of course, there was! The long and the short of it is what should have taken 7 hours took 13.5 hours - nearly twice as long! But I have to say our youth took all of this very well - real troopers all. Some complaining, but hey, it was frustrating. Fortunately I came prepared with a supply of lanyard thread and several folks make key chain lanyards (though several youth think I am a bit nuts and obsessed with lanyards). The adults were proud of them all. We did have about 5 folks from Central Church traveling with us on the bus, and think it likely that they will pass on any future opportunities to accompany us again. This did mean that we missed the opening gathering, because when we arrived at 9:15 or so we all had to eat supper. Anyway - by Monday morning we were ready to go. This years theme for the Montreat Youth Conference - a theme and experience that includes 6 weeks, that basically repeat with the same theme, but with different leadership teams - is "Lost and Found:" how are we lost, and found by God; how are we both lost and found in God. Each day begins with "Energizers and Songs" - and when the youth lead the worship service (on Sunday, August 15 - so mark your calendars now) they will lead us in a couple of energizers. Then comes the "Keynote" presentation - using scripture, skit, video clips from episodes from "Friends" and from the movie "Finding Nemo" - all to emphasize the scripture texts for the day. So far we have looked at Psalm 139, Mark 1 (the baptism of Jesus) John 15 (vine and branches), Ruth 1 (Ruth pledging to stay with Naomi) and Luke 8 - Jesus call to take up the cross and follow him. After Keynote we move into Small Groups - which are not exactly small - about 30 plus in each group - and there are over 1,000 youth here, plus adult advisors, many of whom also attend the small groups (like me, Jim and Terry do). In small groups is where new relationships are formed, as none of our youth are in the same small group. Here we explore the theme and themes of each day, do more Bible study of the day's texts, and have fun together. Then we break for lunch. Now the houses we stay in are about ½ mile away from the conference center, and we are in the mountains. So each day, back and forth, we cover at least 3 miles, up and down hills! Small groups start up again at 2:00, and go to 3:30 or 4:00 - then there is recreation time, with many organized activities. Back to the house for supper - at 5:30 - and then back for "Pictures and Singing" at 7:00 as a warm up for Worship at 7:30. Following worship there is an evening activity, concert, movie, dance, or some rec event! Back at the house we have a "Back Home Group" meeting at 11:00 PM - and then, well, the kids have to be "all quiet" by midnight. Then it's up for breakfast - or not - but everyone is required and expected to be at Energizers by 9:00. Now believe it or not, the youth here line up early for energizers, singing, and worship outside of Anderson Auditorium - the hub for the large gatherings. And inside we sing, do energizers, and worship. Now it's only Tuesday night (and I'm up for the "Ok, time to go to bed now" job for the kids). I want to write to express a sincere "Thank you" all for the privilege of coming to Montreat with our youth, and for all of your financial support - from parents, the youth themselves - and all of you through the Youth budget of the church - for helping to make these trips possible. Each year I continue to find refreshment for myself, and great hope for the present and future of the Presbyterian Church when I see and talk with these youth about the life of faith, about following Jesus Christ each day. My faith is encouraged by their faith and witness. I also want to thank the elders on the Session. With the change in leadership at Beulah, and my increased duties, I thought perhaps the Session would prefer that I not go this year with the youth to a conference, as I have done for the past two years. But the elders - our elders - basically said, "Ken, if you want to go, then you should go. It builds a good relationship between you and the youth group - and it's probably good for you too." And truly, it is refreshing for me in many ways. Remember - more pictures and words about Montreat when the youth lead worship on August 15th. From here I have also been kept up to date about life back home, especially the prayer concerns of our community of faith. Some word has gone out from Carol in the church office, and the PW service circle and prayer chain. Now with me down here my details are sketchy, but I ask you to please remember these folks in your prayers this week: -
Jeannie Koerber, our Financial Secretary, recovering from a heart procedure, and
still struggling with her back pain We (hopefully) will be back in the Beulah parking lot by 5:00 on Saturday afternoon, June 19th. And in case you are wondering, I am planning to be in the pulpit on Sunday, June 20 - fired up from the conference, and preaching on the text about a man who was most lost - who was then "found" by "demons" - but then freed from them and found again by Jesus - found to be the person God meant for him to be - the story of the Demon possessed Man who meets Jesus - from Luke 8:26-39. And friends, if I can be there in worship on Sunday, after a full week at Montreat, I am hopeful - if you are in town and otherwise able to be up and about - that you will be there too. Hoping to see and worship with many of you this Sunday in worship, and praying God's blessings upon you all this week, and from beautiful Montreat, I remain, Yours in Christ Jesus our Lord, Pastor Ken Hockenberry
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