UCC youth gather for NYE 2008
Written by Staff
As United Church of Christ youth gather in Knoxville, Tenn., for the National Youth Event, the Rev. Stephen Sterner, acting executive minister of Local Church Ministries, has asked for denomination-wide prayer. In a statement released July 21, Sterner said:
"This week, over 3000 youth, young adults, and leaders are gathered for National Youth Event in Knoxville, Tenn. This is an exciting opportunity for education, fellowship, worship, and transformation for all who attend. It is an experience that can help shape future leaders for the church and the world. We invite prayers for the participants as they travel to and from Knoxville as well as during the four days of the National Youth Event."
The event carries on the tradition first established by the youth groups of two UCC predecessor bodies, the Pilgrim Fellowship of the Congregational Christian Churches and the Youth Fellowship of the Evangelical and Reformed Church. In fact, 2008 marks the 50th anniversary of the first joint meeting of the two youth groups in the then-fledgling United Church of Christ.
Between June 20 and 27, 1958, some 300 youth delegates of the "PF" and "YF" gathered at Union Theological Seminary in New York to worship together and discern the path their groups might forge together. This week's NYE 2008 promises to be filled with that same spirit, camaraderie and discussion.