PYT 2007

Yes, Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2007 was a blast!!! i finally have some time to write about it.

Ashley dropped me at the Airport at 5AM Monday morning and i flew into Cincinnati and then Indianapolis by lunch time. It was a quick one hour bus trip with half the other small group leaders to West Lafayette, Purdue University. i ended up sitting with a kid about a year older than me, Jonathan Crooms, who was a Davidson grad and knew a lot of high school crowd who went there. He's currently working as a delegate of the PC(USA) to the UN. We got to talking about sports and the man in front of us turned around, Jay Smith, and asks "are we hating on Duke?" and we told him we were. So he joined us. Turns out, Jay is a pastor at a church in Concord, and it further turned out that he and his family live about 5 houses from my folks and his wife works at the same YMCA that i did. Training was interminably long, but i met some amazing folks, including my own small group leader from Canada in 2001 (who incidentally speaks like Kermit). He was beaming with pride that i was now a small group leader and my friend Cass from that group is now married. i also spent much of the week with Brian Maher, my old youth leader bud from PYC days in Charlotte. That was one of my huge highlights. We're trouble together.

Worship was great music-wise. Corey, who lead our discernment weekend for YAV back in April was there to drum and piano-fy. The lead guitarist looked like Martha Stewart, and the bass player was named Critter (real name). They all also lived on my hall, as well as famed Steve Price, the energizer king. My roommate was the snoring champion of West Texas and my suitemates were a 60-yr old Biker/Pastor with handlebar mustache and leather vest named AD who rides with Soldiers of Christ and an African American gentlemen from the Cumberland Presbyterian in Texas. They were both spectacularly cool and insightful.

i was not impressed with the drama at worship. It consisted of what everyone came to call the "French Tellitubbies" because they were some kind of raggamuffin squad of gibberish french vaudeville characatures. That being said, the best worship service by far was on Friday night outside. There was no drama, just music and a sermon, which was delivered by Mark Yacconelli!!! i was stoked because i'm in the middle of his Contemplative Youth Ministry book and it's phenomenal. He was an INCREDIBLE speaker and story teller. i was blown away and so were the kids.

My small group absolutely rocked. i had 14 youth and 3 adults. The kids were great and talkative and enthusiastic. i had to retailor most of the leader guide for more activity and less pointless Q & A. It's rare to have such an energetic group or one that bonds so well. They were a blessing. Of my adults, one woman was from Kansas, a town of 1,300 and the two men were from Texas. One of those men, Harry Abercrombie, is the older brother of Dave Abercrombie who helped lead this year's Charlotte delegation and led mine 6 years ago. In fact, Harry got up to tell my group that when he came six years before, "some kid stuck my glasses up his nose... and that kid is now your small group leader." That went over great. Yay teenagers. i'm not really old yet, nor do i plan to ever get old (i know, some of you are out there plotting for the same), but it was a weird feeling this trip to see the younger siblings of younger siblings of people i know. Lauren Patchett was there, and so was one of the Sult girls and Carlie Abercrombie's little sis, Aly. The small group leader next door to me was neighbors with the Wilson (Frank Wilson was one of my best college friends) family of Elizabeth City, NC.

i spent the little free time i had working the Project Burning Bush booth. One of this year's kids, Meg, was there, and one of last year's, Cindy. A few other Alums came by too. i spent all my time giving kids from all over the continent info on PBB and getting them hooked. We gave out over 500 fliers to interested youth and adults.

ALSO! When i was manning the booth, i discovered David Lamotte was gonna be playing for an hour or so after the international folks and my booth was in prime location. He and i got to talk for a bit and catch up because it had been probably a year or two since we last spoke. He said married life was treating him well. He played spectacularly as usual and then told us all that he is only touring for another 11 months before retiring. i'm sorry if this is the first place you see this news. He's been playing for 17 years and is ready to spend some time with his wife and his house in Montreat and do some traveling. David, i wish you well and God's peace. He signed the headband of my cowboy hat i wore all week and put a peace sign and exclamation point. He winked at me and said, "so you'll always have peace on your mind."

i may think of more later, but it was a spectacular time. God bless and hope to all.