PRESBYTERIAN YOUTH TRIENNIUM 2010
Registration Information & Questions Answered for the
Presbytery of Philadelphia
Registration Deadline - Feb. 19, 2010
What is the Presbyterian Youth Triennium?
Every three years, thousands of Presbyterian youth gather from all over the country (and throughout the world) for an amazing week of fun, worship, making friends, Bible study, play, rest and other adventures. High schoolers from our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA), will join our sisters and brothers from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, as well as youth representatives from sibling churches from foreign countries. Triennium happens on the campus of Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana, and takes place July 19 -25 (includes travel time)
Who can participate?
We need both youth and adults! Youth Participants must be entering high school and no older than 19 years old on July 20, 2010. Delegations must include adult advisors as well as youth delegates. Adult advisors must be at least 21 years old on July 20th, 2010,
and should contact the planning team (see below) if they are interested in participating. We need a fairly good ratio of youth to adults (7:1 or so).
Why is there a Triennium in the first place?
Our denomination is centered around the life, teaching, and worship of God as lived by Jesus Christ. This includes the daily invitation to all of us to pray, serve, and "Go into the world!" For young people it helps to spend dedicated time discerning what these invitations mean, what they look like, and how they connect to their individual lives. At the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, through the presentations, the studies, recreational events and free time we strive to connect youth and adults with activities that inspire them to be alert, be active and seek ways to connect their lives with their growing faith. We believe that young people are prime carriers of the hope Christians are called to possess. And we believe that the Triennium is the perfect place to generate substantial energy and action on behalf of our Lord, Jesus Christ! The event is planned around a central theme. Each day there is a sub-theme and supporting scriptures, speakers, conversations and mission opportunities. It is our goal to offer an experience that provides youth with the opportunity to explore their faith and their faith practices alongside those of the past and present faith communities.
What is the theme for Triennium?
"For Such a Time as This" comes from Esther 4:14. Esther is the story of a faithful young woman who realizes the situation of her life demands that she act on her faith. In that way, she's a great person for youth to connect with, for they, too, are living in times and places that need their faithful living. The theme also echoes of the famous words from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, and the theme will explore with the delegates all that their present lives are ripe for. "God is always present. It's TIME to figure that out. It's TIME to make this the message!"
What about those who are over 19?
There is an opportunity for those over 19 to be part of the Triennium work crew. The 2010 Presbyterian Youth Triennium Work Crew will consist of approximately 50 - 75 young adults led by five adult coordinators. The purpose of the Work Crew is to help the staff, leadership and participants of the Triennium, in all areas of programming. Work Crew members will be expected to perform a wide variety of tasks. Members of the Work Crew will see the behind the scenes happenings of the Youth Triennium and will meet daily for group building, Bible study, and prayer. Work Crew members must be willing to take seriously the call of Christ to serve others. Therefore it is essential that Work Crew members be cooperative, reliable, work as part of a team and have a positive attitude. Physical stamina is important. There is a great deal of lifting, moving, picking up, walking and setting up. There are a few desk jobs for Work Crew members with limited walking and standing abilities - but these are few and far between. Work Crew responsibilities begin the opening day of the event. The work crew application can be found at http://www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/workcrew.php. Please let the registrar know if someone is applying for work crew from your congregation. Work crew members can travel with the presbytery delegation for free.
How many can we send from our church?
Unlike previous years, there is not limit for how many youth each congregation can send in our delegation.
What if our whole youth group wants to go?
There is also a new option this year - whole church youth groups can attend on their own. If you are interested in this option, your church needs to register independently from the presbytery delegation (and arrange its own travel). In the words of Triennium's organizers:
"Some churches (particularly mid size to smaller congregations) might like to use the Triennium as THE summer trip. We highly recommend it as a matter of fact.
There is no better event, than the Triennium, for building community, inspiring young people, and grounding them in the community of faith! We would suggest that THIS is why it might be a good idea to hold a Triennium Strategy Meeting, so that presbytery and congregational youth leaders can talk about what would be the best fit for their young people. We will house presbytery and church delegations from the same regions/presbyteries in the same (or nearby) residence halls. This will enable you to share transportation and adult advisors."
What about adult participants?
We several adult advisors to accompany our delegation (as mentioned above). If you have an adult who's interested, please get in touch with John Weicher.
When is the registration deadline for the presbytery delegation? And where do we send it all?
Because we want to make sure that we can have every youth who wants to go we are going to be very strict about the deadline for registrations.
Our presbytery deadline is Friday, February 19, 2010. You must turn in your registration form and fee ($409) to our registrar by February 19.
Please send your registration forms to the presbytery's registrar. (Please DO NOT send them to the presbytery office.)
Registrar: Rev. John Weicher
Swarthmore Presbyterian Church
727 Harvard Avenue
Swarthmore, PA 19081
610-543-4712
spcyouth@swarthmorepres.org
What if we can't get the full fee by February 19?
Give John Weicher (the registrar) a call at 610-543-4712 and we can work something out.
Is there scholarship money available?
We will take scholarship request on a case by case basis. We first encourage each congregation to help fund the youth and adults cost through the congregation's budget, fundraisers and other support. Please direct all scholarship request to Jeanne Radak, associate executive for congregational Ministry, Presbytery of Philadelphia, jradak@presbyphl.org or call 215-732-1842.
What about transportation?
The Presbytery of Philadelphia will be funding the transportation costs for the youth and adults. The whole delegation must travel to and from the Triennium with the group. We will not be funding any group or individuals who do not travel with the group.
What if someone who has registered cannot attend? Can we get a refund?
If someone has to cancel after the presbytery registers with the folks at Triennium, the presbytery will work together with the cancelee to find a replacement.
Will the youth and adult advisors be getting together prior to the Triennium?
Yes, we are planning a couple of events for some group building and information sharing. Those events will be announced sometime early in 2010.
Presbytery of Philadelphia Triennium Team:
Lindsey Evans - Bryn Mawr Pres. Church
Carol Poorman Shih - Ardmore Pres. Church
Rev. John Weicher - Swarthmore Pres. Church
Rev. Jeanne Radak - Presbytery of Philadelphia
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