The MYP opened their 2020-2021 season with our Opening (Zoom) Day Event on Sunday, September 27, 2020. The theme of the event was based on the MYP’s 2020-21 theme from Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong & courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you: He will never leave you or forsake you.” The event was rectored by Diana Roach and the Team working it were Nan Adams, Cathy Bischoff Weinbaum, Jean (Bena) Pedri, Kerin (Carty) Kriegsman, Eileen Haggerty, Mary Leavens & Tom Leavens.
We started with an icebreaker where the teens were asked to share pictures of (1) someone being courageous, (2) Jesus being strong, (3) something that they are afraid of & (4) someone that depicts strength to them. This led into our talk given by Eileen Haggerty. Eileen shared beautiful, personal stories of strength & courage that included feelings of fear & terror. Most importantly, Eileen talked about how God was present to those people & in those times.
We separated the teens into Breakout Rooms and had Small Group discussions. The teens were then asked to review Gospel passages (Calming of the Sea, Woman Caught in Adultery, Peter Denies Jesus, Jesus Appears to His Disciples, The Faith of the Canaanite Woman, and Pontius Pilate & Jesus), each showing someone in great fear. Each group had to choose one gospel and create a contemporary story to present to the Large Group based on it. After the presentations, we concluded with a prayer service.
It was great for the Team to gather and plan a new event—to share what the theme meant to us and how we can challenge the teens to be strong in a world with so much fear and concern. As I ask all the time, please keep the MYP in your prayers—that we can continue to be a light in the world. Please know that you are in our prayers—be Strong & Courageous!