News

Chrysalis Retreats

The next set of Chrysalis retreats will take place at Carson Valley United Methodist Church in Gardnerville, Nevada, June 27 to 30 (for girls ages 15 to 19), and July 11 to 14 (for boys ages 15 to 19). The retreat weekends are designed to bring a person closer to God through prayer, discussion, worship, singing, and creative expressions.   Applications are due three weeks before each retreat: June 10 for girls and June 24 for the boys. Contact Lynette Grandison at...

Campus Ministry and the Multifaith Living Community at UC Davis

The Cal Aggie Christian Association (CA House) at UC Davis has long been at the forefront of activism and social justice for the university community. Since 1916, it has served as the campus ministry for the United Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ, and the Presbyterian Church (USA). It is an inclusive, progressive campus ministry serving college and graduate students of all faiths in and around the Davis community. The ministry offers opportunities for spirituality, service,...

Eight Ways to Connect Young Adults to the Church

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — During the coming summer, young adults in your church, as well as their friends, may have time — and skills — to share. United Methodist Communications offers eight opportunities for young adults to engage with the church and community. Read complete article here.  ...

Exploration 2013's Blog Day Shares Many Different Ways of Hearing God's Call

By Vicki Brown*   God's call can be heard in a series of small daily moments, through the voice of a fellow church member, a pastor or a campus minister, or during a mission trip. And more than 30 United Methodists who have heard the call to ordained ministry blogged and Tweeted about their personal experiences to generate buzz about attending Exploration 2013.   "I still was unsure of my call to ordained ministry. At the time I was told by my mentors, 'We see your call, so...

Sierra Service Project Summer Kick-off

The Sierra Service Project (SSP) community will have a summer kick-off event of fellowship and celebration in Loomis, California, May 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information, or to register, log on to www.sierraserviceproject.org/events. ...

Bishop Challenges Confirmation Classes to Give God Their Doubts and Questions

By Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr. "What is God inviting you to do?" was the question posed to confirmands by Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., resident bishop of the California-Nevada Annual Conference. Brown challenged more than 120 sixth through tenth graders from across the annual conference to give God their doubts and questions and let God help them find the answers. The challenge came during the Bishop's Confirmation Retreat. "For me, it (confirmation) marked the beginning of a life...

Inspired by NEXT, Student Takes Charge of Pluralism Week

Inspired by speakers at Imagine What's NEXT, Katie Engsberg went back to Washington University determined to get involved in interfaith work. The 18-year-old ended in charge of the 2013 Pluralism Week.   "It was NEXT that got me inspired and involved, but I don't think it was a specific presentation so much as seeing college students suddenly able to take action because I had wanted to do something for several years but wasn't sure how to get started. I guess I figured out that I...

Stop Hunger Now, Change the World Day (Youth and Young Adult Event)

A "Stop Hunger Now" event for youth and young adults will be held on the denomination's "Change the World Day" on Saturday, May 18, at Asbury United Methodist Church, Livermore, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with lunch provided. Groups that would like to participate need to collect pledges/donations to pay for meals. Cost for the meals are $.25 each and the goal is for 10,000 meals. To learn more about the program, download flyer here or log on to www.stophungernow.org....

Registration for Exploration 2013 is Now Open

Registration is open for Exploration 2013 in Denver, Colo., an event for young adults age 18-26 to hear, discern, and respond to God's call to ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church. Featured speakers will include Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey and the Rev. Jorge Acevedo.   Bishop Fierro Harvey, episcopal leader for the Louisiana Annual Conference, is the former deputy general secretary for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).   Acevedo, who will preach...

Apply Now to Be a Youth Delegation Member to ACS

It's that time of year again! The Conference is looking for youth, grades 9-12, to serve as voting and non-voting members of a Youth Delegation to Annual Conference Session (serving June 18-22).   As a Youth Delegation member you'll have a chance to be a part of all that is ACS: Plenary and legislation sessions, worship, and fellowship. Being a part of the Youth Delegation affords an opportunity for you to really know the works and mission of the many churches and believers that make...

Be a Voice - Be a Young Adult Delegate to ACS

Are you over the age of 18 but younger than 35? Are you a committed and active Christian interested in learning more about the workings of The United Methodist Church? And are you willing to be a voice for young people's concerns in our Annual Conference and in our Church? If yes, apply now to be a Young Adult Delegate to Annual Conference Session (June 19-22). Each district gets two (2) voting Young Adult Delegates and one (1) alternate delegate. Voting Young Adult Delegates are seated within...

GBHEM Board Discusses Young Clergy Initiative

By Vicki Brown*  Forming partnerships, sharing best practices, and creating or supporting pilot programs to test what works are all being discussed for the $7 million Young Clergy Initiative, members of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry's Board of Directors learned during a presentation at their March 13-15 meeting in Nashville, Tenn.   The Board also affirmed strategic goals and priorities, voted to hold their spring 2014 meeting at Africa University, and...

Relevance Lead/X Event

California-Nevada Annual Conference had more than 50 participants between the Relevance Lead and Relevance X events in Las Vegas a few weeks ago. The worship team from The Table United Methodist Church led one of the creative sessions, and the Rev. Sam Yun spoke and led a discussion during one of the ministry sessions at the Lead event. The Rev. Theon Johnson III preached and the attendees from Hope United Methodist Church of South San Francisco provided special music. The Conference Committee...

FX Weekend

The first FX weekend had over 85 participants with a worship experience and message from Tsunami Ministries. The weekend was a time for food, fellowship, and games that included dodge-ball. There was also mission work. The next event will be held in January at Mt. Hermon with dates to be determined. ...

Bishop's Confirmation Retreats

There is still time to sign up for the Bishop's Confirmation Retreats, March 8 to 9 at Monte Toyon (very limited space available) and April 5 at Lodestar. Go to the website www.cnumc.org/youngpeopleministry for registration details. There will also be an event in October for older confirmation candidates and those who may be discerning living their faith through ministry. Details will come in the future. ...

Youth Work Day at the Waller Center

A youth work day will be held at The Waller Center on April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided and overnight options are available. There will be an on- site project for The Waller Center (garden project weather permitting). Groups are also asked to collect socks and personal travel sized hygiene items to put together kits with words of encouragement for the clients of the Haight Ashbury Food Program that operates out of The Waller Center. Call or email Kelly Newell to sign...

Youth Workers' Retreat

  A Youth Workers' Retreat will be held May 3 to 4 at Camp Lodestar. The event is free. This year's speaker is Erin Jackson from The Youth Worker's Movement and Just One Starfish Inc. She will be talking about balance and self-care in youth ministry as well as sharing resources and ideas. Register online here.  ...

Summer Camp 2013

Each church should have received a camp packet about summer camp registration for 2013 for Toyon Kids’ Camp, Quest, LIT, and Super Kids Camp, Super Camp, LIT at Lodestar. New this year is a service opportunity through the Waller Center in San Francisco called Urban Camp Directed by Kelly and Yosh for Senior High aged youth. Register online here or go to www.cnumc.org/camping....

Sacramento Area UMY Participate in B1

Six United Methodist Youth group in the greater Sacramento area recently participated in a B1 event. B1 stands for One Being, Being One and is a 24-hour fasting event for young people which raises money to empower the poor and disempower unjust systems sustaining poverty in our world.   The event was held at First UMC in Sacramento. The other Sacramento UMY groups included Oak Park UMC, St. Mark's UMC, Centennial UMC, Riverside UMC, and Japanese UMC.   A video from...

Annual Conference Session

Annual Conference Session young adult and youth delegation applications will be available this month. A special discount will be offered to those youth delegates that continue to Urban Camp after the annual conference session June 22 to 26....