Participants:
Young people (9-12 grade) with an interest in church leadership, Christian discipleship, spiritual practice. Young people in whom YOU see a developing passion for Christ and the Church or for leadership in the church. This is an ecumenical event and open to all.
Plenary Session: Theology of Christian Leadership
An interactive keynote presentation by one of Pathways experienced faculty focusing on the theology of Christian leadership. Community building, music, and worship as well.
Workshops:
Each young person will participate in three workshops designed for youth to learn and to lead—even after the event is over.
Understanding and Leading Spiritual Practice
Recreaology: The Theology of Recreation
Learning, Leading and Living the Gospel: Bible Study for Leaders
Take Home:
Each youth participant will receive a Pathways Masters messenger bag filled with resources from each component of the day. They will leave this event equipped to use these resources in their own congregations, governing bodies, and faith communities.
Cost:
$45—standard rate
$40—early bird rate
Fee includes tuition, program materials, breaks, bag, and lunch. A non-refundable $10 deposit is required at registration. The remainder of the fee is refundable up to 1week before the event. Register early to ensure availability.
Schedule:
8:00-9:00
Registration/refreshments
9:00-9:20
Welcome/Prayer: youth and adults together
9:20-10:20
Opening Plenary
10:30-12:00
Workshop 1
12:00-1:00
Lunch
1:00-2:20
Workshop 2
2:30-4:00
Workshop 3
4:00-4:30
Worship—adults and youth together
Keynote Presenter - Julie Mercer Kidd
Julie is a pastor in the PC(USA) and is also completing her chaplain training in Missouri. Prior to this new direction in her ministry Julie served in churches doing youth ministry. Julie has also participated as a leader at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, Faith in 3D, the Montreat Youth Conferences and the Presbyterian Youth Connection.
Recreation - Beth Bannerman Gunn
Beth is an experienced speaker, writer, and recreation leader. She has a degree in recreation resource administration from North Carolina State University and has designed recreation programs for numerous regional and national conferences, including the PC(USA) Youth Triennium. Beth is the co-creator of a new software resource called Recreation Express. She lives and works from the beautiful mountain town of Swananoa, NC.
Music - John Lee
John has served churches in the San Francisco Bay Area for the last ten years and currently lives in Minneapolis, MN. John has led music for a variety of Presbyterian and ecumenical events including the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, the Presbyterian Peacemaking conference and the Montreat Youth conferences. John is married to Evelyn and is the father of two children.
Bible Study - Julie Mercer Kidd
Julie is a pastor in the PC(USA) and is also completing her chaplain training in Missouri. Prior to this new direction in her ministry Julie served in churches doing youth ministry. Julie has also participated as a leader at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, Faith in 3D, the Montreat Youth Conferences and the Presbyterian Youth Connection.
Spiritual Practice - John Vest
John serves as the Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Illinois. John has also served as Adjunct Professor of Theology and Religion at Elmhurst College and helped prepare the Presbytery of Chicago’s self study document on Peace and Justice in Israel and Palestine.
Site Coordinator – Aimee Wallis Buchanan
Aimee is the director of a new non-profit mission program and a veteran presenter at national PC(USA) youth events. She is co-author of Making Worship Real and All That We Are, two books focusing on young people and worship. Aimee helped design the Bible Study and Spiritual Practice workshops for the Pathways youth track and is leading the Pathways Friday night vocation event for Presbyterian youth and adults. Aimee and her husband, Bill, live in Asheville, NC with their two children, Taylor & Elle.