Posted on Jul 16, 2013 by Robin
To all the Saints of the Lehigh Presbytery, grace to you and
peace!
As promised this has been a whirlwind experience. Broad
Street Presbyterian Church in Columbus, Ohio could not have been more
hospitable, with a late night supper and breakfast in the morning. Some
of us even got a taste of sensory deprivation, as we couldn’t figure out how to
turn off the lights! You can be sure that someone with better technical skills
than me tried to resolve it. The upside of being exhausted is that you can
sleep through almost anything – even bright lights!
The rest of the trip was relatively uneventful, with a rest
stop and then a choice of restaurants for lunch outside of West
Lafayette, minutes from Purdue University. I even learned the “do you want
to buy a duck game” which may not be a good thing.
God is all in all,
Steve
Steve
Posted on Jul 16, 2013 by Robin
1:53 p.m. – “The eagle has landed”!
1:32 p.m. - 15 miles out from Purdue. All is well. Just
ate lunch and everyone is in one piece. Met a bunch of PYT delegates….even got
to sign two shirts! — Steve Shussett
9:41 a.m. – 90 miles from Indianapolis! – Steve Shussett
9:18 a.m. – Our delegation left Broad Street
Presbyterian Church in Columbus, OH about 8:30 a.m. All the youth seem to
be having a great time and are getting along well. Staying at the church
with the other delegation was a great idea! — Lesley O’Boyle
Posted on Jul 17, 2013 by Robin
They have already started meeting other delegates and
trading pins. They are in a dorm with youth delegates from Alaska!
Nathan has collected quite a few so far.
Sonya has quite a few also!
Some of them have been tweeting on #pyt2013. Check it
out on the Triennium website: http://presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/
Posted on Jul 16, 2013 by Robin
As soon as we got on campus, it was a whole new PYT world,
packs of teens dressed in identical t-shirts and obviously herding together
thru check-in.
Our host, Karen, did a great job (more on her later), and
you’ll be pleased to know that our contingent was the first to offer public
thanks.
God is all in all,
Steve
Steve
Trading pins.
Nathan’s bag is filling up fast with pins from other
delegates!
Posted on Jul 18, 2013 by Robin
For those who have never been here, Purdue has a huge
campus!
Several
of us took our own tours after arriving, and since then I’ve chalked up as many
as ten miles walking in a day, from dorm to small group, back to dorm area for
meals (we were fortunate to have our meals across the street) and then back for
small groups or worship, and then repeating that cycle several more times over
the day. Perhaps I should not feel as though I can eat anything here, but when
you walk that much, in a sauna, dessert doesn’t seem like that bad an idea!
[100 degrees, whew!]
[Ah! this is the place to be.........]
Speaking of meals…I can’t vouch for what your teen ate here
(and what happens at Triennium stays at Triennium), but he or she had
every opportunity to eat very well, both in terms of healthy, quality, and
(especially with teenage boys!) quantity. Even the pickiest of eaters ought to
have been able to find something. The one downside (for me at least) is that we
are on the first meal shift. Breakfast at 7 a.m. which is already getting late
for me, lunch at 11:30 a.m., and dinner at 5 p.m. This means late night
snacking which I usually try to avoid.
After dinner, our first expedition: to find worship. It
really was just a matter of following the throngs to the house of the Lord, as
EVERYONE was on their way there.
It is hard to describe it all. There are energizer dances
that have me dancing more in public in two days now than I have in years.
Complicated dance moves are broken down piecemeal, and soon the legendary
bouncing of the balcony begins as we literally feel the earth move under our
feet.
There is a lot of contemporary worship music, from praise
style to more complicated lyrics, and the pastors reading this should be ready
for requests to introduce that style into your services if you have not already
done so. We’ve had pop-style, rap, English and Spanish. Drama, performed by
youth, has been an important part of each day, from biblical scenes to
monologues on the lives of our teens, many quite poignant and I think freeing
for the youth to hear, because as the days progress, more and more of
significance is revealed, sometimes in very emotional ways. And of course there
is the Word proclaimed, with powerful messages that are not watered
down. We’ve had worship twice, neither less than two hours long, but the
flow keeps things moving – sometimes to the point of exhaustion.
As I said yesterday, PYT is not an escape, but an
exploration of life in the real world. Little did I know how true that would
prove. By now many of you will have seen the Presbytery prayer request for
Shania Schlosser, a teen here from the First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua
whose father died Tuesday quite unexpectedly. Without going into unnecessary
details, I want you to know that as parents, Christians and fellow church
members, and as human beings, how proud you should be of these teens as they
embraced Shania with love and prayer. And as Presbyterians, the gratitude and
appreciation we ought to have for the leadership from the top down is equally
without measure. It was remarkable, and most importantly, Shania knows the love
of God’s church for her in this difficult time.
Obviously this was difficult for our team as a whole. In
addition to taking time with them that night, we also had the first of our
morning check-ins after breakfast. It is a time for questions and issues, and
some reflection and prayer. As this day’s leader, for example, I noted that
when we really want something – a coat, a computer, a car – we start to see the
one we want everywhere. So if we love God, or are thinking about loving God,
perhaps we might see God everwhere. This time, as well as the ones below, all
end with prayer that calls for more than a few off-the-cuff words.
This
first check-in is on our own as a group, but PYT provides other opportunities
for sharing as well, from evening ID groups on the floor, to continuing small
groups of 15-25 people randomly selected from the 5000 participants. These
allow for meeting entirely new folks, as well as exploring faith
through games, art, drama, and sometimes rather intense
discussion.
[small group meeting]
This evening we had an extra small group session to discuss
the film “I Am”, which talks about the great interconnections and the priority
of cooperation over competition which is not appreciated in our culture. Very
thought-provoking, and the discussion led to some soul-searching and deep personal
revelation.
Very powerful, and a privilege to be a part of.
That’s all for now. Got to get some sleep!
Peace,
Steve
That’s all for now. Got to get some sleep!
Peace,
Steve
Posted on Jul 19, 2013 by Robin
One of the areas at the Triennium is the Treehouse.
Lehigh Delegates framed!
Posted on Jul 19, 2013 by Robin
A number of our youth cited the Stop Hunger Now experience
as the highlight of their day. After the hands on time we spent the rest of our
small group talking about world hunger and ways to improve the situation.
[Can you find Steve Shussett in his small group below?]
After lunch there was extended free time or particular workshops
that the youth could sign up for. As fat as I know, our crew took the free time
route, at the tree house or spirituality center, which is where I spent my
time.
There are about 20 stations utilizing different senses or
methods of prayer, the completion of each station marked by receipt of a prayer
bead that can be tied to the journal you are given upon entry. I found some of
these quite powerful and poignant. For example, you could spend time with
different yours of gates as a metaphor for immigration and relocation issues
worldwide.
Small groups meet once more before dinner, and I was moved
by the kids’ disappointment at learning we’ll only meet once more, tomorrow.
There is a lesson here I think: relationship may be the most important thing
for the faith life of our younger people, and that can be meaningfully achieved
in a very short time if there is real intentionality behind it. We worked
together exploring “what is enough?” before sharing some very personal thoughts
on our fears and hopes.
After dinner the street festival began, followed by a
meaningful worship service that was in many ways very low key compared to
others.
Two striking moments:1 – As preacher Theresa Cho explained that her Korean middle name means “silver bells” in a hope for her to have clarity like the ringing of a bell, a bell began to sound in the distance.
2 – On what has been another hot and human day, prayer
included request for a cool breeze. Following Communion (for which Emily B and
Sonya were servers) and during the stunning sight of 5000 candles lightening
the dark night, the first breeze since we arrived picked up, flickering and
extinguishing-which only have reason to make a new friends and ask for a light.
And light there was, these many youth reminding me of God’s promise to Abram
that his descendants would be more than the stars in the sky.
If the hunger project wasn’t mentioned as the days
highlight, worship surely was.
Which is more important, mission or worship? Yes.
God is all in all,
Steve
Steve
Posted on Jul 19, 2013 by Robin
I’m
writing to you from a hillside amphitheater on Purdue’s campus, a street fair
around us with crafts, activities, and prayer stations, awaiting an outdoor
worship with Communion in about an hour. The band is warning up with a country
jig, and the occasional state cheer pierces the air; for better our worse, I
don’t think PA has one! A fitting conclusion to a full, and fulfilling, day.
Some of us started earlier than usual by assembling food
packets for Stop Hunger Now. The goal of 150,000 packets would be record for
the organization, and PYT was bound and determined to do it! Each small group
had about 30 minutes to work on several stations simultaneously: putting a
vegetable packet, soy, vitamins, and rice into a plastic bag, sealing the bag,
boxing, and then loading. Hairnets and no jewelry were rules to protect the
recipients.
God is all in all,
Steve Shussett
Steve Shussett
Posted on Jul 21, 2013 by Robin
To All the Saints,
Some Jewish holidays begin with the blowing of a shofar, or
ram’s horn. Our much desired sabbath day, with nothing scheduled until lunch,
greeted us in a similar, if very different, fashion: fire alarms at about 3:30
a.m. Given that some of us were up till 2 a.m. for various reasons (see “blogs
and photos”), to call this a rude awakening is an understatement. Whether it
was a drill or mischief I don’t really know, but I’m really glad it wasn’t the
real deal because….well, we need to drill more. I’ll leave it at that.
+ + +
I mentioned our preacher, Teresa Cho, in yesterday’s blog,
but not her connection to Lehigh Presbytery. She was a workshop leader at last
year’s Fall Polity Conference about different ways that presbyteries can
organize their meetings; a lot of what she taught has played a role in this
year’s Presbytery Engagement Conversations.
+ + +
For some, sabbath meant sleeping in, for others it was a
chance to get to the Hammock spirituality center or treehouse one last time. I
went to both of those places, and they were packed, which was great to see. I
also finally made it to the adult advisor area, which had snacks and drinks,
big bean bags to rest/sleep on, and had things to do for relaxation, like iPads
and Wii. We are Presbyterians for whom alcohol is not forbidden, and Purdue is
a drug-free zone and rightfully so. Otherwise there might have been a bar in
there by Thursday, with profits designated for PYT16! Frankly they might have
made a mint by renting the bean bags and air-conditioning!
We, the leaders, decided it would be good to encourage the
youth to return for lunch (especially since some slept thru breakfast) by
having our group meeting right before lunch. It was a chance to lay out a more
unusually scheduled day. With lunch at 11 but freetime until worship at 2,
everyone went off in their groups of 2, 3, or more, and with the ordinary level
of chaos we all met up to worship together. All, that is, except the handful
who had to be there early as part of the choir.
Once again, worship was meaningful, the preaching provided
by a second member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (I think the first
preached on Day 1). And the youth choir was great! After that was a huge
recreational event with games and crafts and plenty of opportunities for fun
with old friends and new. We had some three-legged racers among us, and “family
photos” of friends. And I’ll admit some of us sat a lot, especially if we could
find some shade! Those were good spots to hold on to for the picnic that
followed, with hot dogs and hamburgers, veggies, fruit, chips and a cookie. I
have no idea if I’ve gained weight or lost it over the week, but between the
plentiful food and sunlight; don’t be surprised if any of your kids have grown!
+ + +
The teenager who has portrayed Jesus for the week is a big
star around here. He is greeted and swarmed even when in his 21st century
civvies. Tonight, reading his t-shirt, my long-time beliefs were confirmed:
Jesus is a Steelers fan!
+ + +
After more fun with games and all, it was time for or last
small group session, and I know many of the youth were disappointed, saddened,
to have that come to an end. Relationships only days old were very real and
powerful, sharing things about themselves and their faith that they admitted
they could not do even with many friends back home. The first thing we did was
go around the room, writing on the individual’s piece of paper one good or nice
thing about them.
The kids in my group were quite sweet, and very fond of each
other – and it was nice of them to let this old guy be a part. In fact, when,
as part of an icebreaker we had to line up by age, I found out how old a guy I
am! And think how many will be born after 2000 at PYT16! We closed in
common, shared prayer, and I was moved by these participants’ readiness and
willingness to pray aloud, when many adult Christians I know are unwilling to
do so. And then, of course, the many, many good-byes.
Then, because we had not had enough food and fun for the
night, it was time for a street fair with games and dancing and food for
purchase – and they gave everyone a coupon for one free thing so no one was
left hungry (and yet we handed out a lot of snacks on returning to the dorm!).
The evening closed meaningfully for me. Because we had
instructed our crew to pack before bed so as to be ready to go right away after
worship, we were not going to have devotions that night – especially because
that was how the small groups ended just a few hours before. Instead, I made a
point of checking in with each boy about their day, worship, small groups, the
festival and fair, and did they have enough to eat. But a few of the guys
really wanted devotions, and so insisted we have them. And so we did.
Did I say the evening then closed? My mistake. I was finally
finished with the night’s responsibilities and drifting off when I heard a
knock: “Can you make sure I’m up by 6 a.m.?” No problem. Then at 1 a.m.,
another knock, and this time people I didn’t recognize. Turns out that some
people were unaccounted for, and the staff was trying to track them down. Y’all
really have some great kids, and as parents or church members, have many
reasons to be proud. On their return you (especially parents) might want to
follow a simple model like . . .
-what were some special or meaningful things that
happened?
-who did you hang out with and what did you do?
-what would you want people to know about Triennium?
-are there any things you wish had happened? Or things that you wish hadn’t happened, or happened differently?
-who did you hang out with and what did you do?
-what would you want people to know about Triennium?
-are there any things you wish had happened? Or things that you wish hadn’t happened, or happened differently?
+ + + +
Saturday morning was a whirlwind, literally and
figuratively. Some of our youth wanted to sit with small group friends, while
others had to pack. So folks were on their own to get moving and make it to
worship. As that time grew closer, a tremendous thunderstorm blew through, with
thunder as loud as I’ve ever heard. Torrential rain. But suddenly it was cooler
and less humid.
Once inside, our youth were allowed to sit with whomever
they wanted, wherever they wanted in the sanctuary. In addition to the
usual bouncing beach balls, one group made a flock of paper airplanes that
cascaded from the topmost balcony. It was a striking sight.
The actors who spent the week praying, now showed how they
and their faith and/or questions evolved over the week. The sermon was
thought-provoking; pushing the envelope….you may want to ask any of the teens
what they thought. The preacher wore a mask through most of it, like a Mexican
lucha libre wrestler, and shared a word of justice, staying connected, changing
the world. In the interest of disclosure, he got caught up in the moment
and used a word that one doesn’t ordinarily get used in worship. But at
least he immediately apologized; I’m guessing it was a bit of a shock to his
listeners.
Eventually, in the spirit of trust he was encouraging us to have, he removed the mask, and clearly for many his sermon had struck a chord.
Eventually, in the spirit of trust he was encouraging us to have, he removed the mask, and clearly for many his sermon had struck a chord.
Hurried good-byes, mobs of people, a mad dash to rooms and
then from rooms with luggage, and on the road again for an hour, until we
stopped for lunch: Burger King or Taco Bell, your choice. Then three or four
more hours through the rain, which most of us slept through. And now I write to
you from First Presbyterian of London OH, which is generously hosting us. Pizza
is on the way, and a teen talent show awaits. It is only our group here, making
for a very different dynamic than the trip out. No couches, but air
conditioning!
We will be on the road at 8:00 a.m., and right now we
hope to park in Allentown by 6:30 p.m. I’ll let you know if this turns out to
be “we plan, God laughs” tomorrow. Sleep well. I am pretty sure we will. Until
tomorrow,
Peace.
Steve Shussett
Peace.
Steve Shussett
Posted on Jul 21, 2013 by Robin
To all the Saints,
Pizza into Triennium, and pizza out. That left time for
talent show participants to practice. We had talking toes and push up contests,
cup stacking and clogging.
Afterward we had a devotional time, asking the youth about
their thoughts on worship thru the week. There was widespread agreement that
what speaks to one person
might not speak to another, and that a sermon you like one week might not be followed by a sermon you like the next week – and is it about liking the sermon anyway, or something more important?
might not speak to another, and that a sermon you like one week might not be followed by a sermon you like the next week – and is it about liking the sermon anyway, or something more important?
All of this moved us from the wackiness of the talent show
to a deeper place. We sang, shared some very powerful prayer, and closed by
exchanging the peace of Christ.
The youth then had some free time which they used in a
variety of ways, before lights out at 11:30 p.m. Some slept better than others,
but all were awakened to a nice breakfast from our hosts. Bags on the bus by
7:30 a.m., depart at 8:00 a.m., and as I write this it is nearly 12:00 noon and
we are just 14 miles from Greensburg, PA. We’re going to see about a shorter
lunch so we can get home a little faster.
If all goes well, there won’t be much more to report after
this. Just the good ‘ol PA Turnpike, a quick stop at Donegal Presbytery and
then Allentown here we come!
This was a week I’ll never forget. I was looking forward to
it, even as I knew my comfort zones would be challenged – and they were. That
said, I startled myself to find I was already considering doing this again – I
didn’t even need a few months or a year to forget 2013 to imagine 2016! We’ll
see what happens.
No question I wouldn’t have made it without Bill, Tina, and
especially our leader of leaders, Lesley.
My thanks to them, to the kids who made this easy, and to the parents and
churches who have molded the youth into the people they are and are becoming.
And to the PCUSA and our Presbytery that has made this commitment. I look
forward to sharing the youth’s stories with you in the weeks and months ahead.
After such build-up and an unforgettable week, it is hard to
know how to say good-bye. So I will try to live in the spirit of our time
together and hope our connection thru the church means this isn’t good-bye at
all, but a “see you later!” in whatever amazing ways God can imagine.
God is all in all,
Steve
Steve
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