The Youth 2011 registration early bird deadline has been pushed back to February 1, so you’ll still be able to get the discount into next year.

Many people have asked how they can help with the event in Indiana, and we are now recruiting specific volunteers and teams.  If you or your church may want to volunteer, see below for ways to get involved:

1.  Sign up a team from your church:  Each day, July 13-17, we’ll have teams who help navigate the campus, who staff the workshops and labs, and who provide logistical support.  Your church can sign up for a day of volunteering by contacting Rev. Brian Durand at brian.durand@inumc.org.  Please provide an estimate of how many you will bring and the day or days you would like to come.

2.  Host a special activity or event:  We are looking for some special gifts to add to the event experience.  If you, your church, your cluster, or someone you know would like to contribute in the following ways, contact Rev. Brian Durand as listed above.

Host a Karaoke late night activity (please provide equipment, A/V)

Host an open mic coffeehouse

Hold a cornhole tournament (please provide equipment)

Teach square dancing

Host and staff a welcome fair

Have a gift that your church could bring and contribute, let us know

3.  Sign up as an individual.  You’ll find the form to register as an individual volunteer at www.youth2011.net/volunteer.  You can also contact Brian with questions.

“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. “  -Philippians 1:3-5

Thank you!!! For your ministry with youth, thank you!  For the time and energy you give, thank you!  For the sacrifices you make to be in ministry and share God’s love with youth, thank you!  For answering God’s call to be in ministry with young people, thank you!

Thursday, November 4, is Thank a Youth Worker Day around the globe.   I wanted to get a head start by thanking all of you who make such a difference in the lives of young people in our churches.  You obviously don’t do it for the money or the recognition, and some days are filled with joy and some are filled with (let’s just say not so much joy).  Ultimately you are in ministry with youth because you have faith, you know Christ’s love, and you have answered God’s call to share that amazing love with the youth and children among us.  So thank you for being a blessing!

And if you’re like most youth workers who don’t want the attention and desire to pass on credit to God and others, then after reading this take a moment on November 4 to thank a youth worker who has impacted your life or your community.

News From Indiana UMC Connect via #constantcontact.