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District Youth Ministry

“Earth Keepers”, November Youth Retreat
“The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.”—Psalm 24:1

All youth, grades 6-12 are welcome to come and join us November 12-14, 2010 at Occohannock on the Bay Camp and Retreat Center as we explore the command that God gives us to care for the Earth, God’s Earth! Our worship leader will be Rev. Pat Watkins, Virginia Conference leader on Creation Care. In addition to worship and study experiences with Rev. Watkins, there will be canoeing, rock wall climbing, music, games and lots of fun and fellowship too!

The cost is $60 per person. Participants should arrive at the Camp on Nov. 12 at 7 pm and should be picked up on Nov. 14th at 11 am. Registration deadline is Nov. 1. Early registration is strongly recommended as space is limited and we anticipate a full camp. See inside this newsletter for the appropriate forms to register. You can also go to <www.easternshoredistrictumc.org> to download the forms. Select “District Youth Ministry” from the menu on the left.

Questions? Contact District Youth Coordinator, Peter Surran at 757-709-1480 or email him at peter.surran@gmail.com; or Karen Hatch, Retreat Leader at 414-0339.

Registration/Parental Consent/Liability Release/Covenant of Conduct

This form should be completed and signed as indicated and mailed with a check in the amount of $60 payable to: ESDUMC

P.O. Box 317, Parksley, VA 23421

Your District Youth Ministry Committee needs to find out from your congregation ways in which we can help reach the youth in our communities who are looking for a place to belong. We also want to find ways to keep those youth who are a part of our church communities feeling like they belong. Together, we can envision a district youth ministry that will meet the needs of our young people on the Shore

What’s Happening in Youth Ministry on the E.S.?

Youth ministry has been pretty busy on the district level over the past several months. Activities began on August 23, when about 20 youth and adults gathered at Atlantic United Methodist Church for the Back to School Blast! Games were played, hot dogs and snacks were consumed and our DJ, Bob Reynolds kept the music rolling all afternoon!

During the weekend of October 17-19, over 50 youth, many from Tangier Island, gathered at Camp Occohanock on the Bay for our fall youth retreat! Pastor Thomas Wynn was the guest speaker and the theme of his talks centered on being true disciples of Jesus and not just being “one of the crowd.” These dynamic talks, together with all of Ms. Emily’s wonderful food, the rock wall, and all of the fun you’d expect at Camp Occohanock made for a very memorable weekend. Plans are already underway for next year!

On November 22, 2008, we had our second district youth ministry gathering at Drummondtown UMC in Accomac. This meeting was well attended by over 20 adults and youth, with attendance from St. Thomas, Atlantic, Guilford, Franktown, Drummondtown, Epworth and New Mission UMC’s! We discussed ways that churches without youth ministries could get them going and how churches with vibrant ministries with young people could expand their reach out farther into their communities. Also discussed was the next district-wide event. This will be a giant service project at Camp Occohanock, followed by a celebration on the grounds of the camp.

Peter Surran, District Youth Coordinator

757-709-1480

peter.surran@gmail.com