Saturday at NYC – ‘Right Now!’

Photo by Glenn Riegel
“Right Now” was the theme for the opening day of NYC 2014. Shown here: Samuel Sarpiya, a Church of the Brethren pastor and church planter in Rockford, Ill., preaches for the evening worship service.

“There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).

Quotable quotes

photo by Glenn Riegel
The National Youth Cabinet celebrates the start of NYC 2014. Standing at front: youth and young adult ministries director Becky Ullom Naugle.

“It’s finally real! Yet it’s like a dream!”
–NYC coordinator Katie Cummings responding to the question, What are your thoughts as NYC

“This moment, this week, right here, right now: God calls, Jesus challenges, the Spirit is giving courage. What are you waiting for?”
– The three NYC coordinators–Katie Cummings, Tim Heishman, and Sarah Neher–in a litany that helped close the evening worship service.

“The time is now…. It is today, and right now, because God wants to use you to change the world.”
– Samuel Kefas Sarpiya, who gave the opening message of NYC. He serves as a church planter and pastor in Rockford, Ill.

“I understand that your title is General Secretary. Does that mean that you don’t do any specifically?”
– A. Mack to Church of the Brethren general secretary Stan Noffsinger during a time of introductions in the opening worship service. After Noffsinger explained a bit of what he does as leading executive staff of the denomination, A. Mack responded, “I still think they need to change your title to Specific Secretary!” A. Mack, played by Larry Glick, has made several appearances at NYCs over the years and returns this year to help teach a new generation of youth about the beginnings of the Brethren movement 300 years ago, when Alexander Mack Sr. led the first group of eight Brethren whose baptisms created the church.

Photo by Nevin Dulabaum
Moby Arena at CSU in Fort Collins, Colo., is filled with Brethren youth on the first evening of NYC.

NYC by the numbers

Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
“Keep Calm and Be Brethren” t-shirts were among the range of fun shirts spotted on the first days of NYC. These were sported by some Ohio youth and advisors.

2,390: Registration total as of the end of first day of NYC 2014. This number includes all participants–youth, their adult advisors, youth workers, and other volunteers and staff.

The day’s schedule

Saturday’s events started with registration in the morning and afternoon, with busloads and vans and cars full of youth arriving at the Colorado State University campus in Fort Collins, from across the United States and around the world. A picnic supper was held outdoors in The Trees area of the campus. The Brethren Press bookstore and an exhibit hall with information about various agencies and ministries of the church opened. During evening worship the three NYC coordinators were introduced–Katie Cummings, Tim Heishman, and Sarah Neher–along with the National Youth Cabinet led by Becky Ullom Naugle, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Church of the Brethren. Samuel Kefas Sarpiya, a Church of the Brethren pastor and church planter in Rockford, Ill., preached the opening sermon on the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10. The day closed with late night activities including a swing dance.

Question of the day: What was the most unexpected thing that happened on your journey?

“Talking to the people I was sitting next to. Evidently they don’t watch a lot of science fiction, and they don’t understand chemistry jokes.” Abraham, Mountain View Church of the Brethren

Photo by Nevin Dulabaum
Four members of EYN in Nigeria are among the international guests at NYC 2014. They received a standing ovation during the first evening’s worship service, when they were introduced during a time of violence and struggle in their home country.

“The schedule of eating and waking up in the morning is very difficult!” Gedeón, Church of the Brethren in Gijón, Spain. (Spain is eight hours different from Colorado, and the hours of eating are different. Translation by Nancy Heishman and Jerry Crouse.)

“Getting only a half hour of sleep!” Sheyla, Oakland Church of the Brethren

“All the random bus stops we took. We traveled four hours to the west to catch the Michigan bus, then traveled three hours east back to Joliet, then 14 to 16 hours west.” Smith, Naperville Church of the Brethren

“I’ve never been on a plane before. It was a unique experience. The whole process was unexpected. I didn’t know to empty my pockets.” Alexander, Huntingdon Stone Church of the Brethren

“I kinda got sick on the airplane.” Julia, Briery Branch Church of the Brethren

NYC 2014 News Team: Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, director of News Services. Eddie Edmonds, NYC Tribune editor. Photography: Glenn Riegel, Nevin Dulabaum. Writers: Frank Ramirez, Mandy Garcia. Question of the day: Frank Ramirez, Nevin Dulabaum. Web and app support: Don Knieriem, Russ Otto.

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