May 24-26, 2024
Shepherd’s Spring Camp & Retreat Center
near Sharpsburg, MD
Young Adult Conference (YAC) offers people ages 18-35 a chance to enjoy fellowship, worship, recreation, Bible study, service projects and more… with other fantastic young adults!
Registration is open! After May 1, there will be a late fee of $50 added to the registration fee.
See a draft schedule for the conference.
Download the 2024 Young Adult Conference brochure.
Speakers
Audrey and Tim Hollenberg-Duffey
Tim and Audrey are co-pastors of the Oakton Church of the Brethren, located in Vienna, VA. Audrey also works for the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership coordinating the English-Language Training Programs. In addition to their jobs, Tim and Audrey also enjoy spending time with their kids, Anita (5) and Ira (1), who will all be at YAC! They go on walks in local parks, play some chaotic backyard tee-ball, and have family band time – be sure to ask Tim and Audrey about this at YAC!
Tim and Audrey are excited to still be considered young and to be back at the camp they grew up going to, as they welcome us to their neck of the woods! They are also looking forward to spending time with other Church of the Brethren folks who have similar values and faith.
In addition, Tim feels that young adults have an interesting understanding of the church, and a lens that is less hindered by ‘yester-year’s nostalgia’ and gives space for new ideas and experimentation. Be sure to share some of your ideas with Tim and other young adults at YAC!
Cliff and Arlene Kindy
Cliff and Arlene are both active members of the Eel River Community Church of the Brethren in Indiana and in leadership of Brethren Disaster Ministries. In the past, Arlene, and currently, Cliff, have been involved with Community Peacemaker Teams – recently with EYN in Nigeria and with First Nation groups grappling with oil pipelines and mineral extraction on native holy ground.
When they are not busy in their roles in the church, Arlene is busy quilting and trying new recipes. Cliff enjoys writing and tasting the new recipes – make sure to ask Arlene and Cliff about their favorites! Together they enjoy bird watching, going on hikes in parks, reading by their wood stove, playing Sudoku, and doing puzzles. When the summer begins, they also spend some time gardening.
Cliff and Arlene think young adult ministry is important because young adults are shaping the Church of the Brethren in ways that are important for young adults as they follow Jesus. While at YAC, Arlene is looking forward to sharing about what she has found important in her life with young adults who find the same things important. Cliff is looking forward to meeting the young adults God has shaped, and seeing how they will shape the future.
Emmett Witkovsky-Eldred
Emmett is an attorney and currently works as a law clerk for a judge in Portland, ME, who sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Emmett helps the judge research the cases and writes drafts of the opinions the judge publishes explaining his decisions. He is also part of a study committee in the Church of the Brethren which discusses the denomination’s approach to calling leaders. Emmett says that the denomination often falls a little short in recognizing and embracing leadership qualities of those who are young, have diverse identities and backgrounds, or lack traditional credentials of church leadership. Emmett says, “please come (to YAC) and share your ideas about how the Church can improve in calling denominational leadership!”
When Emmett is not working as a law clerk or serving the church he spends time outside hiking and camping. He also enjoys reading, writing, and listening to audiobook and podcasts (though he gets in trouble with his wife, Marissa, for how often he listens to audiobooks and podcasts). However, the best way he spends his free time is with his wife, Marissa, their dog, Poppy, and cats, Marshall, Ember, and Mini.
Emmett is excited to be at YAC to connect with old and new friends who all have a love for God and neighbor. It is a fun and renewing weekend with wonderful people, which Emmett feels YAC is all about. Being around fellow Brethren young adults is a great way to focus attention on God, which Emmett is excited to speak about! Sometimes young adults can lack ownership or empowerment within church spaces, but Emmett reminds us that Jesus and many of his disciples were YAC-eligible age, which should encourage us as we try to emulate the way of discipleship in our lives.
Joel Peña
Joel is the pastor of Alpha and Omega Church of the Brethren Hispanic Church in Lancaster, PA. He also serves as the director of the Alpha and Omega Community Center. Both of these roles take time every day of the week. He is also the link between the Church of the Brethren in Venezuela and the United states, a relationship that began seven years ago. There are currently 45 churches in Venezuela (and some neighboring nations).
When Joel is not busy with all he does for the church and his community, he enjoys playing basketball, volleyball and soccer – ask him to start a game with you at YAC! He also likes to play the guitar and sing in his free time.
When Joel was in Venezuela, his passion was working with the youth there. He feels that young adults are a little further on their journey than youth, but young adults are still defining their lives in relation to their careers, jobs, finances, family, and ministry. Because of this defining time, young adults need God’s advice to make wise decisions and prosper in their lives.
Preachers include Audrey and Tim Hollenberg-Duffey, Cliff and Arlene Kindy, Emmett Witkovsky-Eldred. Get to know Annual Conference Moderator Elect Dava Hensley. Share your thoughts with the “Calling Denominational Leadership Study Committee.” Worship will be coordinated by Erika Clary and Connor Ladd. Stay tuned for more leadership announcements!
Registration includes housing, meals, and programming. Scholarships (travel, BVS) available by request until April 15; contact bullomnaugle@brethren.org or 847-429-4385.
- 18-year-olds can attend for only $150!
- Regular registration is $275.
Non-refundable deposit of $150 is due within two weeks of registering.
After May 1, there will be a late fee of $50 added to the registration fee.
The Young Adult Steering Committee is busy planning and dreaming.
Questions? Becky Ullom Naugle, 847-429-4385, bullomnaugle@brethren.org
May 5-7, 2023
Camp Mack
Milford, Indiana
“I’m not done with you,”
Jeremiah 18:1–6
2022 information
May 27-30, 2022
Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, North Carolina
National Young Adult Conference (NYAC) offers people ages 18-35 a chance to enjoy fellowship, worship, recreation, Bible study, service projects and more… with other fantastic young adults!
The Young Adult Steering Committee met in early October to begin planning. Please stay tuned for more information! Questions? Becky Ullom Naugle, 847-429-4385, bullomnaugle@brethren.org
