2022 Youth Theology Network Gathering
Participant Guide
Awaken What's Possible.
Table of Contents
AGENDA PEER CONVERSATIONS GUIDE COVENANTS OF PRESENCE DIGITAL COPY OF HANDOUT TECH AND EVENT TIPS GRUBHUB INFORMATION
2022 Youth Theology Network (YTN) Virtual Gathering January 26 – 28, 2022 Awaken What’s Possible AGENDA Goals: ● ●
To connect or reconnect with peers and guest speakers, sharing and creating practical wisdom and insights for YTN programs; To reflect together on the varied impacts of YTN programs, and the intersections of impact with sustainability, in ways that awaken new possibilities for the work ahead.
Overview: This Gathering will reinvigorate YTN leaders’ work by inviting them to reflect on current and potential impacts to awaken new possibilities for the work ahead. We will explore circles of impact - impact with people, institutions, and the wider world - as well as the intersections of impact with sustainability. To facilitate reconnection among YTN peers, the Gathering will feature Peer Conversations (to connect by topic) and Affinity Groups (to connect by ecclesial tradition, etc.), led by YTN leaders. To inspire research-based insights for YTN programs, participants will engage in a plenary session with Kara Powell and Yulee Lee of the Fuller Youth Institute. We will leverage the virtual space to welcome the voices of YTN youth and mentors, who will share their own stories of impact. The Gathering also will include Worship and a Strategy Session led by FTE.
Wednesday, January 26 - PRE-GATHERING DAY (all times in EST) 1
1:00 pm
Welcome and Workshops Ms. Christina Repoley, Senior Director of Experience Design, FTE Ms. Jodi L. Porter, Director of Coordination, FTE a. Youth Mental Health Learning and Strategies, Diana Chao, Letters to Strangers b. Church in Color: Youth Ministry, Race, and the Theology of MLK Jr., Montague Williams, Point Loma University c. YTN Directors 101: Getting Your Bearings as a YTN Program Director, Cindy White, Faith & Sports Institute (YTN Program at Baylor University) d. Sustainability 101: A Workshop on the Basics of Sustainability for YTN Programs, Dave Odom, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity e. Fundraising 101: A Workshop on the Basics of Fundraising for YTN Programs, Lake Institute, Melissa Spas and colleagues
2:45 pm
Break
3:15 pm
Peer Conversations or Coaching Participants chose between Peer Conversations and Coaching during the registration process. Contact Melissa Scott with questions.
4:45 pm
Closing Announcements
5:00 pm
End of Day Check out the Virtual Chapel, Resource area, or open room for connecting with peers.
Thursday, January 27 – GATHERING DAY 1 (all times in EST) 1:00 pm
Welcome and Worship Dr. Chanon Ross, Program Officer, Lilly Endowment Rev. Stephen Lewis, President, FTE Ms. Jodi L. Porter, Director of Coordination, FTE Rev. Darlene Hutto, Director of Experience Design, FTE YTN volunteers 2
1:45 pm
Plenary. Awakening What’s Possible: The 4 R’s of Impact Dr. Kara Powell, Executive Director, and Dr. Yulee Lee, Senior Director of Staff and Partnerships, Fuller Youth Institute
3:15 pm
Break
3:30 pm
Affinity Groups Participants chose their desired affinity group on the registration form. Contact Melissa Scott with questions.
4:45 pm
End of Day Check out the Virtual Chapel, Resource area, or open room for connecting with peers.
Friday, January 28 – GATHERING DAY 2 (all times in EST) 1:00 pm
Worship and Announcements Rev. Darlene Hutto, Director of Experience Design, FTE YTN volunteers
1:30 pm
Alumni Reflections: Stories of Impact Dr. Chris Coble, VP for Religion, Lilly Endowment, opening remarks Dr. Chanon Ross, Program Officer, Lilly Endowment, co-moderator Ms. Jodi L. Porter, Director of Coordination, FTE, co-moderator
2:45 pm
Break and Transition
3:00 pm
Awaken What’s Possible Through Impactful Storytelling Rev. Stephen Lewis, President, FTE Ms. Christina Repoley, Senior Director of Experience Design, FTE
4:15 pm
Closing Reflections and Evaluation Dr. Chanon Ross, Program Officer, Lilly Endowment Ms. Jodi L. Porter, Director of Coordination, FTE
4:30 pm
End of Day Check out the Virtual Chapel, Resource area, or open room for connecting with peers.
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Covenants of Presence
THE SHY SOUL CANNOT SHOW UP WITHOUT THE ASSURANCE OF SAFE RELATIONAL SPACE. Adapted Touchstones used in the Center for Courage and Renewal’s Circles of Trust Retreats
BE FULLY PRESENT, EXTENDING AND PRESUMING WELCOME. Set aside the usual distractions of things undone from yesterday and things to do tomorrow. Welcome others into this story space and presume you are welcome as well. LISTEN GENEROUSLY. Listen intently to what is said; listen to the feelings beneath the words. As Quaker Douglas Steere writes, “To listen another’s soul into life, into a condition of disclosure and discovery may be almost the greatest gift we can offer to another.” AUTHOR YOUR STORY. We all have a story. Some might say, “I don’t have a story” or “a story worth telling,” but you do and the world is in need of hearing it. You must claim authorship of your own story and learn to tell it to others so they might understand you, be inspired by you and discover what calls you to be who you are, to do what you do or to love what you love. WE COME AS EQUALS. We don’t have the same gifts, limits or experiences, but no person’s gifts, limits or experiences are more or less important than another’s. IT IS NEVER “SHARE OR DIE.” You will be invited to share stories in pairs and in a large group. The invitation is exactly that. You will determine the extent to which you want to participate. NO FIXING. We are not here to set someone else straight, right a wrong, or provide therapy. We are here to witness God’s presence and movement in the sacred stories we share. SUSPEND JUDGMENT. Set aside your judgments. By creating a space between judgments and reactions, we can listen to another person, and to ourselves, more fully. TURN TO WONDER. If you find yourself becoming judgmental or cynical, try turning to wonder: “I wonder why she shared that story or made those choices?” “I wonder what my reaction teaches me?” “I wonder what he’s feeling right now?”
Awaken What's Possible
through impactful storytelling.
The design of a good story includes these three important elements.
AUDIENCE
1
Good storytellers think about what they want their audience to do as well as who the intended listeners are and what matters to them.
WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO AWAKEN? What do you want people to do as a result of hearing your story? What are you trying to inspire your audience to do? Donate? Get involved? Tell others about your impactful program? Introduce you to someone?
WHO IS YOUR DESIRED AUDIENCE? Who do you want to influence? Who are you trying to inspire to do something that will benefit your program? Be as specific as possible! (University president, parents, churches, potential donors, etc.)
WHAT MATTERS TO THEM? What’s important to your audience as it relates to your program? What do they care about or need to hear?
THE BIG IDEA
2
To awaken what’s possible through storytelling, it is vital to convey what your story is really about with brevity and clarity. What do you want your audience to remember most? How can you craft your message in a way that communicates the big idea of your story and gets to the heart of the matter? Is it clear and to the point?
Awaken What's Possible
through impactful storytelling.
PROTOTYPE
3
Create a prototype of your story using the following three steps in order to test, receive feedback, and further refine your story.
BEGIN Write a rough draft of your story given your audience and big idea. It does not need to be perfect, stories get better with time through feedback and iteration.
SHARE Practice telling your story to others and invite their feedback. Did they understand what your big idea was? What inspired them? Where could you make tweaks for greater impact?
REFLECT Reflect on the feedback you received. Decide what aspects of the feedback you want to incorporate into the next iteration of your storytelling.
TECH TIPS FOR THE EVENT
WHERE
INTERNET TECH TIPS
Our event will be held on a virtual platform called the Cvent Attendee Hub. You will receive a personalized link for the event. From there you can access sessions and all the offerings available.
You are going to want the following for the best experience: Download Zoom to your device Have an internet connection of 6mbps or faster Plug into a router if you're concerned with your connection
EXPLORE OUR OFFERINGS There will be lots of ways to interact with FTE and your peers. Please make sure to play the event game for a chance to win GREAT prizes. Visitand pray in the Chapel or checkout some resources in the Expo.
IF YOU ARE A SPEAKER Go to the green room link 45 mins if possible before your session Go to your session link after the green room
Any help needed messaage mscott@fteleaders.org or aarsenault@fteleaders.org
GrubHub Let's get Lunch
Have lunch on FTE
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How?
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vailable Gift card A
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All Week!
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