TO

OR-ID Conference at

Youth 2003!

Try to imagine the Memorial Coliseum arena in Portland with over 9,000 people eagerly awaiting a concert or program to begin. Now imagine most of them being teenagers! The fog machine is filling the room and technicians are taking their places at the giant sound and light consoles down below. Suddenly the lights go out, then within merely seconds the spot lights and first beats of the music strike both at once on the stage. The crowd is on their feet clapping, laser lights are sweeping the arena and the program has begun. Keep that picture in mind.

Voices are raised in worship - “…I sing for joy at the work of Your hands; forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand; nothing compares to the promise I have in You…” (excerpt from Shout to The Lord by Darlene Zschech). Songs, keynote, prayer, drama, dance, video, testimony and more. Our own Beyth Hogue read scripture in English and six other youth read in their native languages from homelands around the globe. Beyth served on the design team to plan and lead this event.

This is only a glimpse of the two hours of worship that took place each morning and evening of YOUTH 2003 in Knoxville, TN, where United Methodist Youth gathered from around the world, July 23-27. Youth and their leaders were also offered a wide variety of experiences (tie-dye, dancing, giant inflatable slides, rock climbing walls, Bible studies, choice of 5 workshops, and much more) each day. They walked miles and miles across the University of TN campus, and closed each evening with local youth group Devo’ time at their housing locations.

Approximately 50 youth and leaders from Oregon represented 13 of our churches.

During this event, the United Methodist Youth Organization also held their Legislative Assembly and Convo. Beyth Hogue, David Coffee, Megan Taylor and alternate, Allisyn Bridges, were our youth delegates and Marcey Balcomb, and alternate, Chris Kester, were our adult delegates. Among the legislation brought for their consideration was the formation of a new Division on Young People. This was endorsed and will be sent to General Conference for action this coming spring.

The Jurisdictions also met where Marcey and her youth leadership team (from CA & MT) led a 2-hour session of just under 900 people in worship, conference highlights, and celebrating both our diversity and oneness in Christ. This was followed by our Jurisdictional Session and Elections. The same delegates represented our Conference, plus Emily Hurd who is a member of the global United Methodist Youth Organization Steering Committee. Marcey was elected to also serve on that Steering Committee for the next 2 years.

It was a truly uplifting 5 days where so many youth were celebrating and growing in their faith together. This is part of our church in action today and our hope for tomorrow as these amazing young people lead the way for United Methodists to live out the love of God.

Marcey Balcomb
Dir. of Youth Ministry
Oregon-Idaho Conference
Common Cup Youth Ministry

For more information on Youth Ministry, send email to: marcey@umoi.org