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Youth & Young Adult Resource Roundup, JUN 2024

Posted on by James Deaton
Logo for youth resources
~ logo created by Mark Doyal/Michigan Conference Communications

This summer issue summarizes upcoming events, scholarships, and resources for youth and young adults that churches can promote in their publications.

Do you have questions about any of these resources or need further information? If so, contact Rev. Elizabeth Hurd, chair of the Board of Young People’s Ministries, at [email protected]. She would be glad to help you.

Events and Experiences

Young People’s Connectional Network

    • What? The Young People’s Connectional Network (YPCN) is the new denomination-wide body for young people in The United Methodist Church. It will be formed for the first time this year based on legislation passed at General Conference. The YPCN is an evolution of the previous denominational body for young people (the Division on Ministries with Young People or DMYP). The purpose of the YPCN is to advocate for young people’s full participation in all levels of The United Methodist Church, build global partnerships, and empower young people to make world-changing disciples of Jesus Christ.
    • Who? The YPCN will be regionally based, with two youth (12-18), two young adults (19-30), and one adult worker from each of the following four regions selected to serve a four-year term: Africa, Americas, Europe, and the Philippines. The selection team can also add up to four additional “balancing” members to ensure equity and diversity across the regions of the church.
    • When and where? Deadline for applications is July 31, 2024. A virtual organizing meeting will be held in September 2024, with the first in-person meeting in early January 2025.
    • More info? Click this link to learn more and to find applications in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, and Kiswahili.

Discover … Mission journey to Peru

    • What and where? A Discover … Mission journey, led by Jody Pratt from the Michigan Conference and Steve Blake from the Wisconsin Conference, is planned for Lima, Peru. Young adults will experience project work with Peruvian youth and young adults, grow leadership skills, and develop cross-cultural relationships. Discover … Mission is the young adult short-term mission program of United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM), a grassroots movement of United Methodists seeking to put their Christian love into action worldwide. Click this link to learn about other upcoming Discover … Mission journeys worldwide.
    • Who? Young adults, 18-35.
    • When? From December 28, 2024, to January 9, 2025. Deadline for applications and deposits is August 15, 2024.
    • More info? Click this link for more information, including estimated costs and other important dates. Register by contacting Jody Pratt at [email protected] or 616-292-4908. Scholarships from the Michigan Conference are available for young adults from a Michigan United Methodist congregation going on a Discover … Mission journey for the first time. Click this link for scholarship criteria. UMVIM scholarships are also available, including the Rollins Scholarship, which is specifically for young adults of color. Click this link to learn more.

Seed to Harvest ministry incubation

    • What? Do you have an idea for a new ministry? Do you have an existing ministry that needs to be updated or reimagined? Join the Michigan Conference’s Connectional Ministries Team at one of the fall Seed to Harvest events to put your idea through an incubation process for an effective launch or relaunch.
    • Who? Adults over 18.
    • When and where? There are three dates, two in person and one virtual, and the content is the same. In-person events: Wednesday, September 25, at Marshall UMC, from 10 am to 4 pm; Saturday, October 26, at Wesley at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, from 10 am to 4 pm. Online option: Tuesday, October 15, from 4 to 8:30 pm (with a dinner break).
    • More info? The fee is $25. Click this link to register. If you have questions, contact Connectional Ministries Team staff member Laura Witkowski at [email protected].

Celtic Spirituality Retreat

    • What? You are invited to “Sacred Rhythm,” a retreat drawing on practices of Celtic Christianity, in which all belong, both scripture and creation are held as holy, and life transitions are honored. Teaching sessions, personal reflection, and group reflection will be punctuated by times of rest and renewal. Drawing from books including Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul by John Philip Newell, facilitators will hold space where participants can learn and engage in Celtic Christian teaching and practices. This retreat is facilitated by Rev. Cora Glass, Lisa Batten, and Rev. Greg Lawton.
    • Who? Adults over 18. Young adults seeking support for vocational discernment are encouraged to register for this retreat.
    • When and where? October 17-19, 2024, at Lake Louise Christian Community near Boyne City.
    • More info? Lodging is offered in semi-private rooms at Lake Louise’s retreat center. The cost is $310 for single occupancy and $185 for double occupancy. For those wishing to stay until Sunday, please add $110 per person. Click this link to register.

Camping options at our United Methodist camps

Scholarships and Grants

    • United Women in Faith is accepting applications for the Theressa Hoover Community Service and Global Citizenship Award. The grant is awarded to a laywoman aged 21-35 who wishes to travel to explore and study in a country or region other than the applicant’s own. Priority will be given to projects that explore climate or racial justice. The deadline for applications is July 9, 2024. Click this link to learn more.
    • The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan annually supports several scholarship programs for college, university, and seminary students. Click this link to learn more.

Events and Resources for Church Leaders

Visit this web page for an updated list of articles, books, and other resources related to youth and young adult ministry, especially outreach to Gen Z.

Engaging Young Adult experience

    • What? Wesley Theological Seminary has a free program that matches churches with a young adult coach who will help them discern how to be in ministry with young adults in their communities. Young adult coaches will guide teams through a 12-week process of researching and listening to young adults, discerning what “good looks like” based on young adults’ needs and desires, and then brainstorming and prototyping new ways to be in community with young adults.
    • Who? This experience is for churches or faith communities wondering how to more deeply connect with young adults in their neighborhood, town, or city.
    • When and where? Deadline for applications is June 20, 2024. Teams will learn during monthly virtual courses (beginning August 2024, for 12 weeks), regular opportunities for group workshopping and discussion and one-to-one coaching by young adult ministry innovators.
    • More info? Free for participants. Click this link to learn more and to apply.

Young Adult Discernment Lab

    • What? Join Connectional Ministries Team staff member Lisa Batten and American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ National Coordinator for Justice and Mission Engagement Rev. Kerwin Webb, as they share what they have learned from Forum for Theological Exploration discernment practices. Participants will be invited to co-learn how to support young people as they discern their call to vocation. Workshop attendees will be eligible to receive a mini-grant to bring what they have learned to their own ministry settings.
    • Who? This event is for those who work with young people, want to work with young people, and love young people.
    • When and where? Wednesday, September 18, 2024, from 4 to 8:30 pm (with a dinner break). This event will be held online via Zoom.
    • More info? The fee is $15, which covers books and resources. Click this link to register for this online event.

Last Updated on June 17, 2024

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The Michigan Conference