Questions? Contact Teri!
Teri Tobey
Program Associate for Young People's Minsitries
Pacific Northwest Annual Conference
ttobey@pnwumc.org | 206-870-6822
CONVO 2017
Over Memorial Day weekend, hundreds of Youth (grades 6-12) and adult youth workers will gather at the University of Puget Sound for CONVO, three days of worship, fun, and learning. This United Methodist youth retreat is a fantastic opportunity to connect with friends new and old from across the Pacific Northwest!
This year's theme is “BOLDLY GO and make a difference.” Our speaker, Chelsea Spyres will lead us in exploring how we can be the change we want to see: in ourselves, our church, our families, and in our communities. You can read more about Chelsea below.
Every year, CONVO is planned by an excellent team of youth and supportive adults who have a passion and dedication to making this the best event it can be; this year is no exception. We’ve been hosting this “Bishop’s Youth CONVOcation” for over 40 years and we are praying for a weekend where both youth and adults are equipped and recharged to live as passionate disciples of Jesus Christ.
We hope you will join us in boldly going to CONVO on May 27-29!
Who Can Go?
CONVO is for youth currently in grades 6-12 and their adult leaders (sorry, no mature 5th graders). We ask churches to send one adult, who has completed a national background check, to accompany every 1-6 youth of each gender. We will try to accommodate youth in cases where this isn't possible. We offer scholarships, for those in financial need, to help to make this retreat possible for all.
Registration
CONVO registration is completed online. Each youth and adult registering must fill out the online registration form linked below. Adults registering may also be contacted by Teri Tobey or their local church to fill out a National Background Check request if they do not already have one on file. If you have difficulties with the registration process, please contact us and we'd be happy to help!
Your registration fee of $175 includes lodging on the University of Puget Sound campus as well as meals from dinner Saturday through breakfast on Monday.
Register before May 1st for a FREE T-SHIRT included with your registration!
Registration will close at 9PM PST May 10th, 2017.
Due to website issues earlier this week we are leaving registration open until Friday morning May 12th 8AM.
Our Speaker
Chelsea Spyres serves as the Director of Christian Formation at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Bowie, Maryland. Chelsea was one of two young adults who gave the Young People's Ministries Address at General Conference in May of 2016.
Prior to St. Matthew’s, she served as a US-2 missionary working with the homeless and low-income individuals in Detroit through the NOAH (Networking, Organizing and Advocating for the Homeless) Project. In her two years there Chelsea worked as a case manager, seeing clients one-on-one and helping the organization to expand in this area to provide for stronger long term support for clients.
Chelsea’s undergraduate degree is from the University of Delaware in Human Services, with a minor in Disability Studies; her family and home church are both in Delaware. During her time at the University she was active in the Wesley Foundation, where she served as the Prayer Czar for two years. In this position she coordinated prayer, worship and retreats and spring break mission trips for the organization. In the summers between college terms she worked at Carolina Cross Connection, a home repair ministry coordinating youth mission trips in North Carolina. She plans to attend Wesley Seminary in the next few years.
For fun Chelsea loves to hike, go camping, find a random spot to hang her hammock, go on bike rides, watch movies, and explore new places with friends.
Youth Service Fund (YSF) Fundraiser at CONVO
Since its creation in 1968, the Youth Service Fund has enabled youth to support one another in ministry around the world. YSF truly is youth in ministry.
Here’s how it works:
Part 1: Youth raise and contribute money
Whether through an imaginative fundraiser, individual gifts, or asking the congregation for a special offering, each year youth raise thousands of dollars for YSF. These funds are sent to the treasurer of your Annual Conference to be combined with the gifts of other youth in the area.
Part 2: Youth distribute funding to youth projects
When all of the donations are joined together within an Annual Conference, 70% of the total goes to projects selected by youth in leadership from the region. The remaining 30% is sent to GCFA, and this amount is used to fund projects that a team of youth from around the world select. Most importantly, the projects supported are designed and led by youth, for the benefit of their peers. (Book of Discipline 2012, ¶649. 3. i-k; ¶1208)
Click here to see some of the projects supported in 2016 worldwide. So bring money to spend at the snack table and donate so we can make a differnece in our Conference and around the world.
Covenant of Participation & Conduct for CONVO 2017
As a participant in CONVO 2017, and as a representative of my local congregation, I agree to accept the following guidelines as my covenant during CONVO:
- Participation in all scheduled activities is expected. If you need special assistance to fully participate, please contact Teri Tobey at (206) 870-6822 or 1-800-755-7710, ext. 322.
- All CONVO youth and adult participants are limited to the Univeristy of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA campus.
- Anything considered illegal for minors under civil and criminal law in Tacoma and Washington State is considered to be illegal for CONVO participants. This would include drug use, alcohol consumption, marijuana use, tobacco, and possession of firearms, weapons, and fireworks. Adults are expected to abide by these same restrictions.
- Incense, candles, etc. are prohibited at CONVO.
- Participants are to be in their assigned room by the designated time each night. Each person is to respect other participant’s need for sleep, as well as caring for himself/herself.
- Participants will live by the simple guidelines of love and respect for the rights, feelings, and property of others.
I understand that if I do not follow the simple guidelines above, that appropriate disciplinary action will be required, for youth and adults. Appropriate disciplinary action might include the calling of parents and/or pastor and/or dismissal from CONVO (at the participant’s own expense). Decisions about appropriate action will be made by the adult leadership of CONVO, in consultation with their church’s group leader or chaperone.
I have read the CONVO 2017 covenant and agree to abide by it.
Parental Consent of Participation & Emergency Care
By registering myself (or my child), I hereby certify that this information is correct. In CASE OF MEDICAL EMERGENCY, I understand that every effort will be made to notify the emergency contact person named in registration. I hereby give permission to the event coordinators to provide routine health care, administer prescribed medications, and seek emergency medical treatment including ordering x-rays or routine tests. In the event that that person cannot be reached, I give permission to the retreat leadership and/or nurse to notify a physician, and I give permission to that physician to hospitalize, secure proper treatment for, and to order injection, anesthesia, or surgery for participant named in registration.
I shall not hold the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church nor any of its officers or agents liable in any way for any occurrence in connection with the activities described above and personally assume all risks in connection with the activities, even if such activities result in injury, death, dismemberment, injury to reputation, emotional distress or other damages to my child or the child's family, heirs, or assigns, or myself. I shall save and hold harmless the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church and its officers and agents from any claim by me, my family, estate, heirs, or assigns arising out of my/our child's participation in this activity.
I shall exempt and release the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church and its officers and agents from all liability whatsoever for personal injury, property damage or wrongful death caused by negligence. I expressly agree that this release, waiver, and indemnity agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by law and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect. This release contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto, and the terms of this release are contractual and not a mere recital. The parties shall resolve any dispute arising under the agreement only through negotiation, mediation, or binding arbitration.
I further state that I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THE FOREGOING RELEASE AND KNOW THE CONTENTS THEREOF AND I AGREE TO THIS RELEASE AS MY OWN FREE ACT. This is a legally binding agreement that I have read and understand.
Parental Consent of Media Release
By registering myself (or my child), I hereby certify that this information is correct. With regard to my (or my child’s) appearance at and/or in the video production during the event, I hereby consent to and give permission for Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church, to use my (or my child’s) name, voice and likeness in its programs and activities, including the advertisement and promotion of the same, and I further consent that my (or my child’s) name, voice and likeness may be used by such other parties to whom the said Pacific Northwest Conference United Methodist Church shall give permission. This consent shall include any or all remarks, contributions, or performances that I may make or give in connection with my appearance and participation. I acknowledge that the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church has full ownership rights to the video production, and that its proceedings, including my appearance, may be transmitted or otherwise exhibited, in whole or in part, throughout the world, without limitation as to time, in any medium, and by any means, method or device now or hereafter known, by Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church, or it licensee, as many times as it wishes, without further authorization from me.
I further state that I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THE FOREGOING RELEASE AND KNOW THE CONTENTS THEREOF AND I AGREE TO THIS RELEASE AS MY OWN FREE ACT. This is a legally binding agreement that I have read and understand.