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New York Worktrip 06

For up to date information call the
Youth Info Line 303-355-1651 x218

Youth in the New Year

One of our objectives in youth ministry is to help youth grow faith so they can use that faith - their assumptions about who God is and how God works in the world - to discern and execute faithful Christian action as disciples of Jesus Christ. If youth ministry is going to help them become practical theologians, then we all must help them practice faith, which requires both a relationship with Jesus and opportunities for ministry as youth. We believe we have faith changing and faith shaping events being offered in 2007. They offer opportunities for real work, playing, praying, worshiping and being in fellowship together. We thank all of you for your past support of the youth events they host to help raise money for these programs and we look forward to your continued support in this New Year. It is our prayer and hope that the youth of our church will experience God at these events- transforming their lives and in doing so transform the church locally and globally.

Please Contact Sheri Fry at Fry@Montview.org with your questions.

Service is a necessary word in our spiritual vocabulary. The Worship is over; the service begins. Jesus had a great idea when he began all that foot washing. It was about the dusty roads of ancient Palestine and the way feet get tired and need relief after hours of walking. Foot washing was a sign of humility, respect, even love – a way to provide comfort for a guest. It was his way of saying minister by action and not by just talking. Our senior high group (MOB) just returned from a week of service in New York City working with Youth Services Opportunities Program (YSOP). They fanned out in the city’s four boroughs in groups of 7 to Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan. The days were spent at POTS (Part Of The Solution), Hour Children, Love Gospel Assembly, Fraternite Notre Dame, All Souls, Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, Neighbors Together, Food change, CHIPS, Help One, Trinity Lutheran, Broadway Presbyterian, St. John’s Bread and Life, and St. Ann’s. We listened to Raymie Farmer’s story about growing up on the NY streets and descending into his self made hell – making bad choices but also caught in a system that proved hard to escape. We walked and walked the streets of the city. We listened, talked, played, and served many people that live different lives from our own. We celebrated the 4th of July with fireworks and questions about what makes people free. We reflected and talked about the face of hunger and homeless in NY and in our country. MOB decided it is the world God loves – the whole world…not the white people of God, not the rich people of God, not the straight people of God – but all the people of God.

I had the privilege of watching these young people minister to the world and to each other through their actions and words, music, ability to love and imagine, to stand up and be counted where some other human being is discriminated against. I see them serve on church committees and other organizations. They sing, teach, collect food and clothing, go off to impoverished parts of our country to encourage people and rebuild. I have seen their lives begin to glow in the darkness.

Jesus calls us to awareness and into action. Acts of justice are not easy; working for peace and all that means does not come without sacrifice – a giving of you. Our Montview youth have a passion of the spirit…they look for significance and success. They ask the questions – does their life action reflect their faith? What will they do to transform the world? What will they say? How will they pray? Rarely will we find one “just” position and one “unjust” position. We need to keep searching our hearts to discern what actions to take. And as we act and speak and pray, we would be wise to remember that the prophet Micah knew that doing justice went hand in hand with kindness and humility. As we respond to the call, and as our prayers are turned into action, may our choices always reflect this ancient truth.
Peace,
Sheri Fry

In Their Own Words:
Youth at Montview

Youth Speak Out at Macedonia

Once Is Not enough: Laura’s Story

Youth Work Trips: What Steve Sees

Stephanie’s Search: What’s in a Conference?

Matt’s Moments: MOB and More

Friends, Fun and Food: Views of JAM

Live Large: Youth Explorations at Montview

Hello. My name is Christopher Duncan. I'm 14 and I'm in the 8th grade. Thank you for the opportunity for letting me speak to you today. The three things I am going to be speaking about today are sports, school, and singing. The bond you get with people from doing all three of these activities is great.

As far as sports go, my basketball season just finished and by the end of it all my team was very close. On the team we had all types of different races and people. One of the amazing things about sports is that they really bring people together. You see, when I get the ball on the court and decide to make a pass, I don't pass it to someone because they are black or white, I pass it to them because of how good they are, or simply just because they are on the team. It doesn't matter if you are the best friend or don't know them that well. The point is they are on the team. Now, imagine for a second if we lived life more like we played sports. There wouldn't be discrimination because they are a person, just like being on the team. No one would judge on the color of your skin, they would judge you on how good a person you are, just like how good you are on the court or field. It is not just sports that have this important feeling of teamwork, it is also in things such as school projects. When I work in a group to get schoolwork done we go around and pick the best idea. It doesn't matter what type of person came up with the idea, if they were black or white. It just doesn't matter. What matters is the content of the idea they bring to the table. If it's not a good idea, then it's not a good idea - no matter who came up with it.

Singing is not unlike these two things. Singing has played a big role in my life. I have sung in a choir for 6 years and also participated in my church choir. Just like sports and school, when you sing it doesn't matter what the group looks like, it matters what they sound like. If the entire choir working together can make music then it doesn't matter what races are in the group. Music is a great way to bring people together. We see it here with Macedonia and Montview. When our choirs get together it is truly amazing and it brings us together as one. All of this reminds me of one of my Dad's favorite songs, "Brothers and Sisters" the main chorus goes "We can all be together for ever and ever when we make it to the Promised Land."

Good Morning. My name is Kristin Kudebeh. I am in 8th grade at Morey Middle School. I have struggled with the problem of racism in my innercity school since 6th grade. Before that, I had never experienced any kind of racism. As soon as I started at Morey, I began to notice mild but obvious segregation between African Americans, Hispanics, and Caucasians. Generally, the separation is between Blacks and Whites which includes the way we dress, talk, and even fix our hair. The Blacks who act white are often called "Oreos" - black on the outside and white on the inside. The Whites who act Black are considered wannabees and pretty strange.

A few of my friends are African American, but unfortunately only a few. I wish to overcome the barriers between us, but sometimes it seems difficult to do so. We as humans tend to stick to our so-called "own." You know, as far as I am concerned, we are all brothers and sisters under the Lord. I am making the commitment as I go forward into high school to try and break through the barriers that exist between our races. Thank you.

Good Morning, my name is Tessa and I am a senior at Bishop Machebeuf High School. The people of Uganda quote a proverb that says, "The one who has not traveled widely thinks his mother is the only cook." Human nature seems to push us toward uniformity. We all seem to like the familiar, the tried and true and shy away from what is different. We are often skeptical of new ideas and unusual combinations, convinced that what works for us should work for others as well.

Although we might love the sameness in us all, I believe that God loves the diversity in the world. Look at nature. We read in Genesis how God created everything and then looked at it and called it good. Diversity is essential. Just think about how our world functions. It is dependent on many different types of plants, animals, and insects to make a complete, functioning ecosystem. So, too, human communities benefit from a variety of cultures, races, religions, and ethnic groups. Try to imagine what life would be like if we all looked, acted, talked, dressed, and thought the same way. In our world of nearly 7 billion citizens, there are infinite ways of producing and preparing food to eat, of being family, of expressing love and of resolving conflict. Stories of life lived in other cultures, other places will add new flavor to our lives. No one of any age, place, or nation has learned all there is to know. It will be a richer and more exciting world when we can look upon our neighbors as people who also love life and honor certain values that are as important and real to them as ours are to us. Diversity makes life interesting. Unfortunately, racial, ethnic, and religious discrimination are commonplace in this country and around the world. Although dealing with this topic can be difficult, it is vital for the future of our society to address it so that different cultures and countries can live and work peacefully together. May we live in unity and peace. Amen

Once Is Not enough: Laura’s Story

I always spend a lot of time with people from church. My best friends are in the youth group, and for the past few summers, I have spent at least two weeks out of town with the youth group. However, the summer of 2001 was different.

Triennium, a huge youth conference that only occurs every three years, was held at Purdue University in 2001. As a result, I spent three weeks with the youth group, rather than the usual two; and, I have to say the summer of 2001 was one of the best summers I've ever had. Montreat was great as always. The Work trip is something that every year impacts me deeply – I always return rejuvenated, strange as it may sound, from a week to ten days with very little sleep. But, what I want to concentrate on here is Triennium, truly a once-in-a-lifetime event.

It started with over 100 youth spending the night at Montview, because we had to leave early the next day to catch our plane to Chicago Midway, where we would take a bus to Purdue University. Unfortunately, our flight was cancelled. We waited six hours for another plane, which could fly all of us, because we were a huge group that couldn't be split up. Due to the delay, we missed the first day of the conference, but that had little impact on the rest of our stay, because once we were there everyone was tremendously welcoming.

I'm not sure if you have ever been in a completely safe environment — where you can approach anyone and start talking with no fear of being mistaken for a dangerous person or worrying about picking out the one psycho in crowd. I loved being able to meet so many people. I loved being able to talk with people from all over the world who shared my faith. It was an experience I'm sure I'll never forget.

One of the ways people started talking was through trading pins. Every presbytery had their own, and most people had a great time giving them out and finding out a little about the place where they originated. I ended up with over 50 pins, which is amazing when you consider I started with 30.

Everyone was so generous and welcoming, I hated to leave such warm company. Although the summer had to come to an end, I'm very grateful for my memories of Triennium. I just hope that when I get older I get to be an adult with a group that attends. For some things, once-in-a-lifetime just isn't enough.

— Laura
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Youth Work Trips: What Steve Sees

Work trips are by far the most popular opportunities Montview offers youth. Many youth go on work trips and are not seen again by the youth group until the next trip comes around.

A usual work trip includes a one- or two-day trip in church vans to a location where youth and advisors work for the following five days or so. The work is everything from basic manual labor to working with children, both younger and the same age as many of the youth on the trip.

A very important by product of work trips are the friendships that develop. Many youth become friends with the people in the area where they are working — some even become pen pals. Also, many of the friendships that develop and deepen are between the youth on the trip. Many leave on a trip knowing only one or two people and return having more friends that they could have previously imagined.

— Steve
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Stephanie’s Search: What’s in a Conference?

The first time I went to Montreat West Youth Conferences was the summer of '98. Looking back, it was one of the best, yet one of the strangest I attended. First of all, only Laura and I represented Montview. We didn't actually want to go, but at one point we had told our parents we would go and they held us to it. Fort Collins, the site of the conference, is only an hour away, but we arrived six hours late.
While we were there, we rarely saw our youth director, and since the group from Montview was so small, our “back home group” that we met with in the evenings was the planning team for the following year’s conference. Both Montview vans were in Fort Collins, but we never rode in either of them. Okay, so it may not sound like a great time, but Laura and I loved it! What’s more, we've been going to Montreat ever year since then.

— Stephanie
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Matt’s Moments: MOB and More

MOB (Montview’s Other Bunch) welcomes senior high school students. The group gives those who attend a chance to make friends, give back to the community, worship, and have fun. We usually meet every Sunday night at 7:00. Our schedule is filled with a variety of events. Every winter, we go on a weekend ski trip. Every summer, we continue a 47-year tradition and take a work trip. Recent trip destinations include: San Francisco, California; Juarez, Mexico; Topeka, Kansas; and Moab, Utah. MOB is an excellent experience.

Triennium: There were thousands of people, people everywhere. Each had a smile on his/her face and provided a warm greeting.

Montreat: One might compare Montreat to a barrel of monkeys. It was fun, intimate, and educational.

Work Trip: Work trips have provided an amazing wealth of independence, friendship, and fun. Who would have guessed? — helping people is fun!

— Matt
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Friends, Fun and Food: Views of JAM

JAM (Juniors at Montview) is like a place to hang out and meet people. Some nights are more God-related, while other nights are just for fun. JAM’s activities include rock climbing, Habitat for Humanity, and simply hanging out in the church. We always have fun. Sometimes we do special things like lock-ins and weekends skiing. All in all, JAM is fun for all.

— Jackson

JAM is a great program for people in Junior High (7-8). We meet Sunday nights at 7:00. If you come, you'll have the chance to do a lot of great things and make a lot of new friends. Sheri Fry and several other counselors lead JAM, but most of all there will be a lot of people your age at the meetings. So come to the cellar on Sunday nights and meet all your new friends!

— Patrick
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Live Large: Youth Explorations at Montview

Sunday School classes are offered to grades 6-12 at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays from September through May. Confirmation classes, open to youth in grades 8 through 12, who are interested in joining the church, will also begin in the fall.

Other ways youth may want to explore life at Montview and their faith is by being liturgists, greeters, acolytes and members of Jubilate choir. There’s also Youth Sunday, which is a special worship service in February presented by the Youth of Montview. Youth plan the service and guide the congregation through worship on that day.

MOB 9th - 12th GRADES

November

Sunday - 4th
Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity - Agape Latte the sr. high Sunday school meet and head to the Planetarium to see the Black Hole show and do some God talk.Meet in the cellar at 9:30 am
6:15 Dinner
7:00-8:30 pm Cellar time

Bring your favorite Bible story putting on your best theological hat because we are going to plan our graffitting (is this a word??) of the cellar walls.

Also, guest Lisa Burns a past MOB member will be there to talk about an opportunity to help some children in DPS - the Laredo Elementary School where she works, Tents of Hope Project.

Sunday - 11th
Agape Latte Cellar Time - 9:30
6:15 Dinner
7:00-8:30pm Cellar - guest Jeanne from Habitat for Humanity Youth Build/PeaceJam

Sunday - 18th
DenUm and Denver Inner City Parish project. - Following the 11 worship meet in the cellar for lunch and making up Thanksgiving baskets with youth from diverse congregations around Denver for Denum and the Inner City Parish. We will also be making Pumpkin Pies (lots of them) for the parish to be served at the Community Dinner.

Tuesday - 20th
Join us at the Denver Inner City Parish to serve a community Thanksgiving dinner at 6:15 pm. Plan to meet at Montview by 5:30. We will drive to the Inner City Parish. We will return by 8pm. I need 15-20 volunteers. Thanks in advance for sharing your heart & your time to make a great Thanksgiving for others!

Sunday - 25th
3:30-5:30 - Advent Workshop - Please join us in helping make the Advent workshop a fun and successful event. The older youth staff the craft & cookie tables helping the children of our congregation make holiday crafts.

Parent Meeting: 3:30-5:30 - While your youth enjoy the Advent workshop let's gather and talk about the program and the Youth Mission trip to Ipoderac in Puebla, Mexico - summer 2008 and the new Uganda Youth/Adult Mission trip in December 2008.

December

Sunday - 2nd
9 am-12:00 - Christmas Mission Market - Join us in selling great Christmas presents that benefit familes, women and children from all over the world. Meet in Fellowship hall to set up the tables and prepare to sell.

5:00 pm - Choir concert
6:30 - Dinner

Sunday - 9th
9:30-10:30 am - Agape Latte
6 pm-8 pm - Dinner & Christmas Caroling

Sunday - 16th
9:30-10:30 am - Agape Latte
5:00 pm - Lessons & Carols in the Sanctuary
6:30 - Dinner & Christmas Party..white elephant gift exchange

Sunday - 23rd
No MOB meeting
Merry Christmas

Sunday - 30th
No MOB meeting
Happy New Year

January

Weekend of - 11th-13th - Snow Mtn. Ranch Ski Retreat
Join us for 1 day of skiing, a night of tubing and great fellowship. We have a cabin a Snow Mtn. Ranch. Arrive Friday night and return on Sunday by 12.

Sunday - 20th
8:00am - Pancake Breakfast prepared for the Annual meeting.

Monday - 21st
9:00am - Martin Luther King Marade with lunch to follow.

Sunday - 27th
9:30-10:30am - Agape Latte
6:15 - Dinner
7:00-8:30pm - Cellar Time

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JAM 6th - 8th GRADES

November

Sunday - 4th
9:30-10:30 - Pulpit Players
5:00 - JAM Fellowship in the Cellar
Bring your favorite bible story putting on your theological cap because we are going to plan our graffitting (is this a word??) of the cellar walls.

Also, guest Lisa Burns a past JAM/MOB member will be here to talk about an opporunity to help some children in DPS - the Laredo Elementar school where she works.
Tents of Hope project - a refugee project we are taking on this year
6:15-7:00pm - Dinner

Sunday - 11th
11:00 - Pulpit Players Worship Performance
5:00 - JAM Fellowship
guest - Jeanne from Habitat For Humanity Youth Build/PeaceJam project
6:15-7 pm - Dinner

Sunday - 18th
9:30-10:30 - Faith Under Construction in the cellar
12:15 pm-4:00 pm - Following worship, join us to help create Thanksgiving baskets for DenUM (Denver Urban Ministries) and the Denver Inner City Parish. We will be working with other youth groups from Denver congregations to try and create 600 baskets. We will also be making pumpkin pies to be served at the the Denver Inner City parish on Nov. 20th.

Tuesday - 20th
Join us at the Denver Inner City Parish to serve a community Thanksgiviing dinner at 6:15pm. Plan to meet at Montview by 5:30 pm. We will drive to the Parish and return by 8 pm. I need 15-20 volunteers. MOB will be joining us too. Thanks in advance for sharing your heart & your time to make a great Thanksgiving for others.

Sunday - 25th
9:30-10:30 am - Faith Under Construction in the Cellar

3:30-5:30 - Advent Workshop - Please join us in helping make the Advent wrokshop a fn and successful event. We ask you all to help staff the craft and cookie tables helping the children of our congregation make holiday crafts.

Parent Meeting - 3:30-5:30 - While your youth enjoy Advent workshop let's gather and talk about the program, share some adult fellowship, and talk about the Youth mission trip (open to graduating 8th graders) to Ipoderac Orphanage in Puebla, Mexico - summer 2008 and the 2nd Uganda Youth/adult mission trip in December 2008.

December

Sunday - 2nd
9:00 am - Christmas Mission Market in Fellowship hall - Join us in selling great Christmas presents that benefit families, women and children from all over the world. Meet in Fellowship Hall to set up the tables and prepare to sell the gifts.
5:00-6:30 - Choir concert
6:30 - 8:00 - Dinner & Christmas Party - White Elephant Gift Exchange

Sunday - 9th
9:30-10:30 - Faith under Construction in the Cellar
5-8 pm - Dinner & Christmas Caroling

Sunday - 16th
9:30-10:30 - Faith Under Construction
5:00 - Lessons & Carols in the Sanctuary

Sunday - 23rd
9:30 am - Christmas Tea
No JAM fellowship - Merry Christmas!

Sunday - 30th
Faith Under Construction and JAM will NOT meet
Happy New Year!

January

Sunday - 6th
9:30-10:30 - Confirmation Begins - 8th through 12th grades
9:30-10:30 - Faith Under Construction in the Cellar
5:00-7 pm - JAM & dinner in the Cellar

Sunday - 13th
9:30-10:30 - Faith Under Construction in the Cellar
5:00-7 pm - JAM & dinner in the Cellar

Sunday - 20th
8:00 am - Pancake breakfast prep for annual meeting
No JAM fellowship

Monday, 21st
9:00am - Martin Luther King Marade with lunch to follow

Sunday - 27th
9:30-10:30 - Faith Under Construction in the Cellar
5-7 pm - Dinner and JAM fellowship

February

1st-3rd - JAM ski retreat at Snow Mtn. Ranch in WinterPark
Join us for 1 day of skiing, a night of tubing and great fellowship! We have a cabin at Snow Mtn. Ranch.
Arrive Friday night, ski Saturday, tube Saturday night and return to Montview by 12 on Sunday.

10th
9:30-10:30 - Faith Under Construction in the Cellar
5-7 pm - Dinner & JAM fellowship

17th
No Faith Under Construction or JAM Fellowship
Happy Presidents Weekend!

24th
9:30-10:30- Faith Under Construction
5-7 pm - Dinner & JAM Fellowship

29th-March 2
Denver Presbytery Mid-High Retreat at Highlands Camp
leave Friday night - Dinner on the road. Return to Montview by 12:30 on Sunday.

For up to date info call the Youth Info Line 303-355-1651 X 218

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