National Youth Conference Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colo. July 22-27, 2006
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‘WORD’
"He (Jesus) said to them, ‘Come and see.’” John 1:39a

QUOTES OF THE DAY:
"It is the Christ that we have come to see.” -- Jeff Carter, Saturday evening preacher and pastor of Manassas (Va.) Church of the Brethren

“The largest event in the Church of the Brethren happens here, it happens tonight, and it’s you.” – Chris Douglas, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Church of the Brethren General Board, in her welcome to National Youth Conference 2006

“We have great border control here.” – John Keller, the NYC dean, letting the conference know that youth workers patrol the edges of the Colorado State University campus during NYC. Youth are restricted to campus except during recreation time and only if accompanied by an advisor.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: ‘What are you looking for?’

Cambria California "For my last name!"	Tracy California "Blessing and the mall!"	Andrew Pennsylvania "Not sure?"	Bradley Ohio "Physical and spiritual energy."	Emily Maryland "Closer fellowship, renew old friendships."

The first person to register for NYC 2006 was Eddo, from Michigan. Photo by Chris Detrick

The ramp up to Moby Arena offered a good place for registrants to pause and collect their belongings. Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford

Moby Arena is the site for worship services. Photo by Keith Hollenberg

Seth Hendricks wrote and introduced the NYC theme song, "Come and See." Photo by Chris Detrick

Thomas Dowdy played the sax in the band. Photo by Chris Detrick

The NYC band led music. Shown here are (from top) Chris Keeney and Shawn Storms. Photo by Chris Detrick

Jeff Carter, pastor of Manassas (Va.) Church of the Brethren, preached Saturday evening. Photo by Chris Detrick

YOUTH ARE INVITED TO ‘COME AND SEE’ CHRIST
Calls of “We love Jesus, how ’bout you?” echoed across the floor of Moby Arena as more than 3,600 Brethren youth and advisors gathered for the opening worship service of NYC 2006.

The service centered on the NYC theme, “Come and See,” from John 1. “It is the Christ that we have come to see,” said the evening preacher Jeff Carter, pastor of Manassas (Va.) Church of the Brethren.

He called on the youth to consider whether their images of Christ are “mascot messiahs” that may close our hearts to the living Christ. ““We identify with those images that give us strength and power,” Carter said. “Mascot messiahs are expectations, what we want, and what we want to see,” he explained.

Hoots and laughter filled the arena as Carter dramatically described his own high school mascot, the Westminster Fighting Owls. “How we rallied around that owl!” he said. “Mascots draw us in. They connect us. They give us identity.”

He challenged the youth to pick up the Bible and begin reading the gospels, to experience the biblical images of Jesus. “The question we need to answer tonight is, are we willing to come and see... (the) Christ who knows us by name, who invites us to join him in ministry, who accepts us as we are and knows our transformation will come in the relationship with Christ,” he said.

Answering Carter’s challenge, the NYC band followed the sermon with the song, “Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord.” The band also debuted the NYC theme song, “Come and See” written by Bethany Theological Seminary student Seth Hendricks.

The NYC band is coordinated by Shawn Kirchner of La Verne (Calif.) Church of the Brethren, and Dawn Hunn of Circle of Peace Church of the Brethren in Peoria, Ariz. Band members are Thomas Dowdy, pastor of Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles, on the saxophone; Hendricks on the guitar, percussion, and vocals; Chris Keeney, of Lancaster, Pa., on the guitar and vocals; David Kendall on the drums and Mo Lacuelli on the bass, both from Circle of Peace; and Shawn Storms from Fairborn, Ohio, singing lead vocals.

THE RIPPLE EFFECT: A PLACE TO REFLECT ON WORSHIP
After the worship celebration, “Ripple Effect” tents opened for NYCers to “give voice to what is stirring in you,” according to the description in the NYC booklet. The tents will be available after each worship service.

“Drop a stone or even a drop of water into a pool, and you see the result,” the book says. “Ripples begin to flow from that spot. Tiny waves note the point of impact. We believe that worship is a bit like that. It sets off ripples in us.”

Participants are invited to go to the Ripple Effect areas to listen for the sound of gurgling water, and then to give expression to their thoughts and feelings through painting, writing, music, and other forms of creative expression. Spiritual directors are available for quiet conversation as well.

NYC NUGGETS
Final registration totaled 3,605 for the 2006 NYC. Buses from across the country and airport shuttles began unloading Brethren youth at the campus of Colorado State University in Fort Collins, beginning early this morning, and continuing throughout the day.

NYC takes a lot of work! NYC coordinators Cindy Laprade, Beth Rhodes, and Emily Tyler have been in Fort Collins since Monday, July 17, getting things ready onsite. They have been planning the conference for two years along with the National Youth Cabinet--Becky Ball-Miller, Leigh-Anne Enders, Nick Kauffman, Zac Morgan, Shawn Flory Replogle, Erin Smith, Rachael Stevens--and Chris Douglas, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Church of the Brethren General Board. To carry out the conference, dozens more youth workers are on campus as well, and adult advisors from congregations and districts also accompany the youth that attend.

The exhilarating worship experiences at NYC also take a lot of work and preparation. Worship coordinators are Sara Haldeman-Scarr, Wendi Hutchinson, Russell Jensen, Nate Polzin, Becky Rhodes, Dave Steele, and Becky Ullom. Music coordinators are Dawn Hunn and Shawn Kirchner.

NYCers from across the country and around the world had a first opportunity to meet each other at this afternoon’s outdoor cookout. In the crowd was a group from the Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic, and two Brethren youth from India.

Late-evening activities included a swing dance, a sign-making party for the REGNUH 5K walk/run tomorrow afternoon, board games, and “Pondering and Praying,” an opportunity for youth to spend time in contemplation and prayer before heading to bed.