St. Marys United Methodist Youth

Here is a FAQ (frequently asked questions) for our upcoming retreat, Join the Journey. You can find the retreat schedule here.

What do I need to fill out?

You have already been registered and the cost of the retreat has been covered as a ministry of the church.

If you have not filled one out this year, please complete a Medical/Release Form.

When will we leave?

Please be at the church by 4:00pm on Friday, March 20th. We will pack the vans and leave ASAP so that we can register, eat supper, and settle into our cabins before the first events begin. If you would like to bring your bags and stuff to the church early on Friday, we can arrange that, but please email/call me by Wednesday so I know to be here (I won’t be in the office until the afternoon due to the trip).

When will we come back?

We will return between 1:00 and 1:30pm on Sunday, March 22st. The retreat closes with a giant worship service!

What are the cabins like?

We will be staying in the Epworth cabins. These are comfortable and loads of fun! You will room with guys if you are a guy and girls if you are a girl and you will be with our church and possibly another church. The cabins sleep about 10-12 and the adults have the opportunity to stay in the counselor room in the cabin (but who doesn’t like a bunk bed in the middle of smelly teenagers!). There are 4 showers in each cabin.

What should I bring with me?

Check out the Packing List (click the link). You can download it and print it out too.

What is the food like?

Awesome!

What is church time?

Church time is when we get together with our church to talk about the session and incorporate it into our lives.

What are the general sessions?

These large group gatherings will take place in the Strickland Auditorium and will include high-energy music – a contemporary blend of new and old, drama relevant to the topic, a speaker, individual church time for discussion of the talk, multi-media presentations, and youth involvement. The following church seasons will theme each of the individual sessions:
• Advent & Prevenient Grace
• Lent / Good Friday & Justifying Grace
• Easter & Justifying Grace
• Pentecost & Sanctifying Grace

What are the workshops like?

The workshops are breakout sessions that teach various aspects of the confirmation experience. We may be in with youth from other churches (exciting!). These workshops are taught by both clergy and laity of South Georgia Conference churches. Mr. Jim has taught Methodist Mumbo Jumbo.

These are the workshops we will attend:

• Amazing Grace – This will go a little deeper in understanding prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace.
• Talkin’ Funny / Mumbo Jumbo - Understanding and defining the words we use as United Methodists – including Wesleyan terms, organizational terms, titles, etc. Confirmands will get a greater sense of organization and understanding of key people and terms.
• Climbin’ the Family Tree - History of United Methodism. An interactive time to discover where we came from: our predecessor groups and denominations.

What is a Holy Club?

In 1729, John Wesley formed the Holy Club, a group of individuals that did not exceed 12 in numbers. These Holy Clubs studied the Bible in such a way that others began to say they had a method to studying. Thus, the Methodists began. It is from these early Holy Clubs that our current Bible study groups have emerged. Although our classes number more then 12 individuals, they still study with a method and purpose, to grow in knowledge and love for Jesus Christ. In our Join the Journey Holy Clubs, confirmands may choose to study any of the following:
• An Invitation to Chat (Prayer) - Looking into the practice of praying and a better understanding of what prayer is: when, where, and how we can pray; with the opportunity to lead prayers in Sunday morning worship if a group or individuals desire.
• Come to the Table (Holy Communion) - Exploring the meaning of Holy Communion with the opportunity to serve during Sunday morning worship.
• Feast on the Word (Bible Study) - Unlocking the mysteries of an ancient book with an ever-so present message applicable to our daily lives. Sharing different methods of Bible Study, and perhaps including Scripture chosen to include in morning worship.
• Devotion Motion (Devotions & Meditations) - Looking at and practicing reading devotions and meditations appropriate for youth.

NOTE: Though many of you were able to get back to me on which Holy Club you would like to register for, they aren’t guaranteed. You may be assigned to a different Holy Club if the need arises.

Adult Volunteers/Chaperons

The adults that will be going on our trip are:

Jim Morrow

Melonie Kolgaklis

The week of departure I will send out cell phone contact information for these volunteers in case you have an emergency while we are away.

Additional Guidelines

Cell Phones: We are on retreat! Cell phone use (including texting) needs to be limited to free time or before lights out. If you have an emergency and need to contact your youngin’ at other times please use the chaperon contact list that will be sent out later this week. However if during this time the electronic devices are preventing anyone from taking part in the social activities, I will reserve the right to temporarily “borrow” your toy! Any chaperons that have cell phones are asked to model this for our students except in the case of emergencies.

Electronic Devices (including music players): Again, we are on retreat! The use of electronic devices needs to be limited to free time or the time immediately before lights out. However if during this time the electronic devices are preventing anyone from taking part in the social activities, I will reserve the right to temporarily “borrow” your toy!

Please take a good look at the packing list. Remember your BIBLES!!!!

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. Similarly, if there is any confusion about these communications, please let me know, too.

h/t: South Georgia Conference website.