Registration Information & Questions Answered for the

Nort Puget Sound Presbytery

Registration Deadline - March 1, 2010

What is the Presbyterian Youth Triennium?

Who can participate?

We need both youth and adults! Youth Participants must be entering high school and no older than 19 years old on July 20, 2010. Delegations must include adult advisors as well as youth delegates. Adult advisors must be at least 21 years old on July 20th, 2010,

and should contact the presbytery's registrar (see below) if they are interested in participating. We need a fairly good ratio of youth to adults (7:1 or so).

 

Why is there a Triennium in the first place?

Our denomination is centered around the life, teaching, and worship of God as lived by Jesus Christ. This includes the daily invitation to all of us to pray, serve, and "Go into the world!" For young people it helps to spend dedicated time discerning what these invitations mean, what they look like, and how they connect to their individual lives. At the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, through the presentations, the studies, recreational events and free time we strive to connect youth and adults with activities that inspire them to be alert, be active and seek ways to connect their lives with their growing faith. We believe that young people are prime  carriers of the hope Christians are called to possess. And we believe that the Triennium is the perfect place to generate substantial energy and action on behalf of our Lord, Jesus Christ! The event is planned around a central theme. Each day there is a sub-theme and supporting scriptures, speakers, conversations and mission opportunities. It is our goal to offer an experience that provides youth with the opportunity to explore their faith and their faith practices alongside those of the past and present faith communities.

 

What is the theme for Triennium?

"For Such a Time as This" comes from Esther 4:14. Esther is the story of a faithful young woman who realizes the situation of her life demands that she act on her faith. In that way, she's a great person for youth to connect with, for they, too, are living in times and places that need their faithful living. The theme also echoes of the famous words from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, and the theme will explore with the delegates all that their present lives are ripe for. "God is always present. It's TIME to figure that out. It's TIME to make this the message!"

 

What about those who are over 19?

There is an opportunity for those over 19 to be part of the Triennium work crew. The 2010 Presbyterian Youth Triennium Work Crew will consist of approximately 50 - 75 young adults led by five adult coordinators. The purpose of the Work Crew is to help the staff, leadership and participants of the Triennium, in all areas of programming. Work Crew members will be expected to perform a wide variety of tasks. Members of the Work Crew will see the behind the scenes happenings of the Youth Triennium and will meet daily for group building, Bible study, and prayer. Work Crew members must be willing to take seriously the call of Christ to serve others. Therefore it is essential that Work Crew members be cooperative, reliable, work as part of a team and have a positive attitude. Physical stamina is important. There is a great deal of lifting, moving, picking up, walking and setting up. There are a few desk jobs for Work Crew members with limited walking and standing abilities - but these are few and far between. Work Crew responsibilities begin the opening day of the event. The full work crew details and application can be found on-line.  Please let the registrar know if someone is applying for work crew from your congregation. Work crew members may be able to travel with the presbytery delegation for free!

 

What about those over age 55+!?

New in 2010 - "Triennium Ambassadors"! Because senior adults are great advocates for young people. Because senior adults have an investment in the church and, as any investor, they appreciate seeing the outcome of their giving! Because we need people of all ages who are passionate about Jesus Christ and are active in the practice of their faith to be both teachers and students of our young people! Because there needs to be a larger, louder witness of the amazing “thing” happening at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium! Full Ambassador details on-line.

 

How many can we send from our church?

Unlike previous years, there is not limit for how many youth each congregation can send in our delegation.

 

What if our whole youth group wants to go?

There is also a new option this year - whole church youth groups can attend on their own. If you are interested in this option, your church needs to register independently from the presbytery delegation (and arrange its own travel). In the words of Triennium's organizers:

"Some churches (particularly mid size to smaller congregations) might like to use the Triennium as THE summer trip. We highly recommend it as a matter of fact.

There is no better event, than the Triennium, for building community, inspiring young people, and grounding them in the community of faith! We would suggest that THIS is why it might be a good idea to hold a Triennium Strategy Meeting, so that presbytery and congregational youth leaders can talk about what would be the best fit for their young people. We will house presbytery and church delegations from the same regions/presbyteries in the same (or nearby) residence halls. This will enable you to share transportation and adult advisors."

 

What about adult participants?

We several adult advisors to accompany our delegation (as mentioned above). If you have an adult who's interested, please get in touch with Steve Shively.

 

When is the registration deadline for the presbytery delegation? And where do we send it all?