After arriving at Connect somewhat bedraggled (we flew JetStar to save money, but ended up wasting a lot of time!), we were able to settle in and relax. The automatic coffee machines were a wee treat!!
A team of four of us came this year from Hornby Presbyterian and we all really enjoyed Connect. This year in particular, my highlight was the workshops. They were well-organised, interesting and there were lots of options! Carlton Johnstone’s workshop challenged my thinking regarding the way we often create a fantastic culture of belonging within our youth communities - which are very age segregated. However, this same sense of belonging doesn’t always exist within the wider Church, or it is harder to find. I want to find ways in which we can practice intergenerational relationships in our youth programmes and activities.
Matt Chamberlin ran a workshop called “Presence-based Youth Work”. This idea of presence-based or incarnational youth work means we go to where the young people are, be that schools, skate parks, the local dairy etc. It is not about getting to know them so they will come to programmes, but simply getting to know them. This continues to challenge me every day; really, how open is my life to young people? Will I let them interrupt my plans and timetables? The Message paraphrase says: “The Word became flesh and moved into the neighbourhood” (John 1:14). It is a daily discipline, learning to be a presence, and allowing young people to be part of my life.
A huge thanks to the PYM team and focus group for organising an enjoyable and mind-stretching weekend, you guys rock!! – Rach
Where to begin? Connect 09 was great. Between trips to Wendy’s, weird spoken word poetry rap, the most intense games of ping pong you’ve ever seen, constant trips to the kitchen for mochachinos, sing-alongs on the balcony, roast dinners, pranks involving 99 red balloons, going to bed at four in the morning, mingling with new people, trampolines, coffee, dance battles, awesome cover bands, naps, basketball games, free food, strange interpretive art and wrestling matches, there was still time to get through four awesome seminars. These featured such Presbyterian celebs as Graham Redding (aka the pope of NZ), Carlton Johnstone and Howard Carter, worship, small group discussions, communion and other faith-related activities. But long lists aside, Connect was awesome and not just because it was heaps of fun.
As a first timer, I was blown away by the event. The level of commitment shown by the organisers was amazing and the diversity of the people attending was not only surprising but inspiring. There were seminars for everyone; those new to youth ministry like me, and those who have been kicking around the circuit for a while, and they covered a huge range of topics. However, the best thing about connect was not the all the seminars and activities on offer (although they were great) but just seeing that youth ministry is alive within New Zealand. –Tim
‘Welcome to Connect!’…we received a warm welcome at registration and even got cool bags with the Burning Bush or in-out-around logo – a great start to the weekend. Howard Carter was our keynote speaker with an awesome theme: YOU TOO 360. He’s a U2 fan and shared how when the band performed they were “intimate” with the audience (so it feels like you’re right there in the band). This is how it should be for us – it’s all about relationships in which our faith should be lived out and worked out! I loved how he always started his session with God’s Word and then applied it to reality.
For example, Exodus 18, where Moses’ father-in-law(Jethro) gave advice to Moses that he cannot handle it alone, but needs to select others who are trustworthy and fear God – sharing the load.
Time to Connect – mix’n’mingle with others in your bunk rooms… toasting marshmallows at the burning bush… playing b/ball... or even having a jam and singin’ old-skool until early hours in the morning (you know who you are -LOL).
If you haven’t been to Connect before, I encourage you to check it out next year, it’s totally worth it! And to everyone at Connect 09 –“Pressy’s hard-core!”(Famous words by the Rev Mua Strickson-Pua). – Joy