Youtheology Pilgrimage

**Maddy Malone is one of the St Paul Youth who has been attending Youtheology at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, KS.  She is currently on the Youtheology Pilgrimage.  The following is a note from the Youtheology Director.

We are eagerly anticipating our upcoming Pan-Methodist Pilgrimage with travel from Friday, June 8^th (after overnighting Saint Paul tomorrow, Thursday, June 7^th) to Saturday, June 16^th. It is an exciting time.

We would like you to know that we appreciate the confidence you have placed in us in allowing your youth to go on this pilgrimage. We take this responsibility seriously. With your prayers and the diligent attention of our leaders, all will be well.

As director of the program, I will be leading the pilgrimage. Sharing leadership with me will be Mrs Lee Svet, youTheology Media and Publicatons Coordinator; Mr Tyler Fletcher, Program Assistant; Ms Stephanie Stephens and Ms Ramona Winfied, Saint Paul School of Theology Students and Small Group Leaders; Rev Santiago Heredia, UMC Elder and Small Group Leader from youTheology Southwest in El Paso, TX; and Ms Janessa Smith, youTheology Intern. This is a very caring team that is committed to the well-being of the students and the accomplishment of our programmatic goals.

Eighteen youth will be on the pilgrimage. There will be 15 from youTheology Midwest in Kansas City, MO, 1 from the yT-Pod in Illinois, and 2 from youTheology Southwest in El Paso, TX. During the pilgrimage, a member of the AMEZ church in New York will participate with us.

The seminar at the UMC’s General Board of Church and Society will focus on economic justice, how it relates to who we are, and how it affects us every day. This came out of a discussion with the young people in Kansas City and El Paso during orientation in August 2012. The seminar is conducted by seasoned staff at the General Board of Church and Society in a building opposite the Capitol.

Each day, beginning Friday, June 8^th, we will post daily updates written by the youTheologians themselves that chronicle the Pilgrimage. We will also include photos and video clips. Please check www.youtheology.org/panmethodistpilgrimage2012 to see how we’re doing and what we’re learning.

Thank you very much for your support and prayers. You are appreciated. May God bless you with peace!

Claire A Smith

Director of youTheology and

Youth Ministry Specialist-in-Residence