January 6, 2012 for worship, fellowship, fun


South Central District “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly and you teach and


admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs, from the spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”


—Colossians 3:16 T e South Central District Youth (also known as SCUMY) held a Fall


Rally on Oct. 16, 2011, at First UMC Hot Springs. It was a complete success with more than 150 youth in attendance. T e band Visitors Parking, a group of high school students, led worship. T eir love for God showed on and off the stage, and kids were completely unashamed in worship. It was an amazing feeling! Our speaker, Tommy Jones from Sardis UMC, brought an inspiring message about fi lling the streets with the attitude and love that is portrayed in our rallies and events that the Conference provides. We also raised money for Youth Service Fund at our rally. Kids willingly


pulled out their wallets and purses and gave more than $300. T e churches competed against each other to give the most. First UMC Hot Springs raised the top amount of $74 and won a Flip Video camera for their church. Overall, the event was incredible, everyone had a good time and leſt fi red up with Christ burning bright through them! —Becca Phillips, South Central District youth president


Southeast District T e Southeast District Council on Youth Ministries


(SEDCYM) hosted its largest event to date on Oct. 1-2 at Sulphur Springs UMC. Nearly 250 youth in grades 6 through 12 attended the overnight Fall Rally, which the district youth council planned and led. With the theme “Just Add Water,” most activities centered


around water-based stories from the Bible, focusing on the Woman at the Well. T e Living Waters Worship Experience, a multi-sensory worship time with various prayer stations, provided water facts from around the world and ended with refl ection and remembrance of baptism. Zach Schrick, youth pastor at First UMC Magnolia, gave


inspired and moving talks throughout the weekend. Visitors Parking, a talented and enthusiastic band from Hot Springs, led the crowd in worship. Maggie Beeler of Methodist Family Health visited and showed a stirring video about the Methodist Children’s Home, following it with a brief message to the youth about how they can get involved with that cause. Sunday morning Communion worship capped off the weekend.


Youth and adults worked together to create a worship painting on several canvases. T e painting used a variety of artistic techniques and depicted fi sh within a cross. We collected an off ering of more than $380 to go toward building a well for a village in Africa. T e SEDCYM, a hard-working


group of more than 35 youth and 10 adults, are planning Spring Rally for March 9-11 at Bear Creek Camp in Marianna. It will be led by speaker Mark Norman and special guests Beware of Christians. To learn more about SEDCYM and


its activities, contact Emily Johnson, district youth coordinator, at 501-940- 6577.


LEFT: The North Central District Council on Youth Ministries shows off this year’s T-shirt.


Youth found opportunities to have good, clean, messy fun


West District T e West District Fall Retreat drew more than 50 students from six area


at the West District Rally.


congregations. We are very blessed in the River Valley area and in western Arkansas to have a diverse group of young people who are always eager to descend on our beloved Shoal Creek camp for a weekend of fun. T e students, youth pastors and resource adults enjoyed the rustic beauty


of Shoal Creek under cool blue skies during our daytime activities, as well as in the mild fall evenings. T e weekend included corporate worship, games, mixers, small groups and a bonfi re. With change coming to our districts, our youth and our District Council


members are all excited to join with our sister congregations in Northwest Arkansas in 2012, and to make new friends. —Vini Scott, West District DCYM coordinator


What’s next? Veritas registration is open! Statewide youth event in Rogers Feb. 24-26


All Arkansas youth in grades 7 through 12 are invited to attend Veritas at the Rogers Convention Center, Feb. 24-26. Veritas has grown to more than 1,000 attendees and is the annual “big event” for young people in the Arkansas Conference, bringing youth together to celebrate, worship, learn, experience and be energized to serve God. For details on Veritas 2012 as they become available, visit accym. org, the Arkansas Conference Council on Youth Ministries website. Registration is now open at www.arumc.org/register.


www.arumc.org Arkansas United Methodist


7A


ABOVE: Participants created a multi-canvas painting as part


of a worship experience at the Southeast District Youth Rally.


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