YOUTH

News from the Conference United Methodist Youth Fellowship

Our Midwinter Retreat was held December 17 & 18 at the NE Region Center in Preston. Rev. Margaret Battiest, Rev. Bernadine Dowdy, and Rev. Anna Stilwell prepared us chili dogs or Frito pie that were donated by NE Region Pastors. Thank you all for supplying us a meal. They had the building decorated for us. It was really nice, felt really invited like home.

The CCYM officers held devotion along with our tribal hymns. We sung Christmas Songs. We heard encouragement from Rev. Bernadine Dowdy. Marcus Briggs-Cloud taught us 3 new songs. I think the songs calmed the youth down. He taught us some history. We played some icebreakers to try to get to know other youth. We had Bible study on James and had a great craft. We got to make Christmas penguins like the Happy Feet movie.

Can't tell you the name of the game we played (might have to use it again) but we did have some winners. Merle Berryhill won legally; he beat Lynnetta, Rose, and Noah. Go Merle!! Then, Chelsea Ross won out of the CCYM officers. Go Chelsea, watch out! After all the inside fun, we played outside, that is where I was laughing so hard, my stomach hurt. You just had to be there. People fell (without getting hurt) but it was hilarious, you know who you are!!

Rose and Major McHenry from Broken Arrow UMC, along with their youth, taught us a motion song. We still have to practice. No More MILK song!! It was great because all the youth participated and did not matter if we messed up because we were having fun.

After that, we fellowship together and adults stayed awake with us. I'm glad that they came. Merle had wood ready for the campfire. We had a TSF fundraiser called "jail" it raised a few dollars.

I was glad that there were bunks because I fell asleep at 4 a.m. We dismissed at 6:15 a.m.

This year's youth are really motivated, musically inclined. I mean like there are singers, dancers, and instrument players, of course, the athletic ones too.

I hope you prepare for our spring retreat at the SW Region Center in March. Just ask church leader, pastor, adult or someone for the date. Come and get spiritually fed, learn new things, meet new people, and have fun.

I want to say thank you to all who came and to the leaders of the event, and all the adults who came.

Peace,
CCYM PR
Myrah Mckinney