Association of Black Methodist Youth Conference 2007
This years’ annual ABMYC conference was held at the PGL centre in Caythorpe Lincolnshire. We were very blessed this year in that we had over 100 youths at the conference this year. We had youths from:
- Hackney Circuit – Dalston, Mare Street, and Downs
- Clubland – Walworth Methodist
- Bermondsey Central Hall Methodist
- Shernhall Methodist Walthamstow
- Leytonstone Methodist
- Stockwell Methodist
- Zimbabwe Methodist youth choir
- The MAYC President and another executive member
We had around 25 youths from the hackney circuit, a very impressive number. Some had been before but for others it was their first time. From the comments I have received so far they all enjoyed themselves and are looking forward not only to next years’ conference, but also to the events we have planned throughout the year.
Sessions
On Wednesday and Thursday from 2-5pm were activities where the youths had a chance to participate in different games that were at the PGL centre, including raft building, kayaking, giant swing, high ropes, zip wire etc.
But all other times we held our conference in the main hall with different sessions. We opened and closed each day with devotions. Different youths and youths groups were involved in it and Hackney had a chance to perform some songs which they did very beautifully.
The other sessions we had included discussions on crime and how it has affected them and what the church can do to help, discussions about my church, my culture, where a member of Mare street gave an essay about living in Hackney which was well received by all. On the first day we watched a video about slavery the history a nd the implications through out time. This ended in a lively discussion. They youths were all put into groups of 12 which were named after heroes and heroines who played a part in the abolition of slavery. They stayed with these groups for activities and discussions.
Business
During our business sessions we put forward various resolutions that we can take to the national youth conference to get passed. On the last day we also elected new executives as many has served the required 2 years. As the current president of the ABMYC I led this session and we elected a new secretary, organising secretary, editor, editor, editor in chief, and public relations officer. These were all members of conference, nominated and voted in by all the attendees present. The position for Vice president was left open as there was no one to fill it and it was left to the executive members to find one. I am proud to announce that Pamela Jumpah from Dalston Methodist was elected as secretary and will be joining the exec to plan for future events and take ABMYC in to its 10th year anniversary.
Future
As mentioned before 2008 will mark 10 years that ABMYC was put together for young black Methodist youths to get together to discuss issues affecting them and to fellowship together. We plan to celebrate this in big style and the executives are already planning events to get this started.
Thank you to the Hackney Circuit for sending us. I ask your continuing support, not only financially, but support with the youths, encourage them to attend youth club on Fridays, and support events we have within the circuit and as part of ABMYC. Many thanks.
Jenneith Codrington is a member of Dalston church. In 2005 she visited Sierra Leonne and The Gambia with ABMY. Read her report of the trip... Sierra Leone & The Gambia
Link
ABMYC - The Association of Black Methodist Youth Clubs has its own website.