By Chad Whitzel
Over the weekend of March 1-3, more than 150 youth and advisors took part in the annual Roundtable regional youth conference held at Bridgewater (Va.) College. This marked the 78th anniversary of Roundtable, which invites senior high youth from the districts of the southeastern region (Atlantic Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Shenandoah, Virlina, West Marva, and Southeastern) as well as the Pennsylvania districts (Atlantic Northeast, Middle Pennsylvania, Southern Pennsylvania, and Western Pennsylvania).
Dennis Beckner, pastor of Columbia City (Ind.) Church of the Brethren, served as the speaker on the theme, “Seeking Serenity.” The conference included worship services, workshops, small groups, a vespers service, and recreation time. A key feature of Roundtable is the offering chosen each year. This year, more than $1,000 was raised to benefit Brethren Disaster Ministries and the work to serve communities recovering from disaster. In an interesting note, this year four of the six new National Youth Cabinet members were in attendance, as well as Dennis Beckner as one of the adult advisors to the cabinet.
Roundtable is planned by the Interdistrict Youth Cabinet of Bridgewater College. The cabinet is made up of college students who serve two-year terms, and advisor Steve Spire, pastor of Sangerville (Va.) Church of the Brethren. Members of the cabinet for this year’s conference were Amelia Gunn of Easton (Md.) Church of the Brethren, Kasey Carns of Locust Grove (Md.) Church of the Brethren, and Chad Whitzel of Easton (Md.) Church of the Brethren, finishing their terms; Erika Clary of Brownsville (Md.) Church of the Brethren, Eli Quay of Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren, and Helena Ullom-Minnich of McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren, continuing their terms; and Abigail Allen of Manassas (Va.) Church of the Brethren, Katie Hardy of Hagerstown (Md.) Church of the Brethren, and Brady Jones of New Hope (W.Va.) Church of the Brethren, starting their terms.
Details of next year’s Roundtable will be released at a later time. See iycroundtable.wixsite.com/iycbc for more information and updates throughout the year.
— Chad Whitzel is a member of the Interdistrict Youth Cabinet of Bridgewater College.