By Holly McCray

Young United Methodists have been exploring how their ministries can be informed by the Strategic Plan.

During the summer CYME camp, the youth participants began charting their work, using the Plan’s four-part Fruitful Congregations Grid. At the CCYM fall summit meeting, they selected priorities and wrote a mission statement. They scheduled events to implement their goals. Examples of their planning appear on this page.

The abbreviation CCYM means Conference Council on Youth Ministries. Two youths from each district and districts’ youth coordinators comprise that council, which meets three times a year. Paragraph 648 of the UM Book of Discipline established the organization.

CYME stands for Conference Youth Ministry Event, which is the annual leadership camp for all youths in grades ninth through 12. At recent camps, courses in lay speaking have been offered to the teens, among other activities, by the Board of Laity’s leaders for Lay Speaking Ministry.

As director of Local Church Youth Ministries, Diana Northcutt is the staff member assigned to work with these groups. About 50 people attended an early November meeting.

"They continued to focus on why we exist (as a Conference group). They want to strengthen the youth ministries in the local churches, and districts and Conference," Rev. Northcutt said.

"Any time adolescents have an opportunity for input, we listen to them. I hope they hear that we (adult leaders) are listening."

CCYM approved grants from the Youth Service Fund (YSF). Project Transformation received $1,200; The Indian Youth Empowerment Project and "Closer to Earth Youth Actions," which is part of Community Youth Outreach, $1,137 each.

A labyrinth was purchased for Camps. A grant of $1,500 was awarded to Grassroots Level Development Agency in Accra-Ghana, Africa.

Since 1990, YSF has helped fund ministries in which youths serve other youths. In 2006 and 2007, Oklahomans raised the most YSF funds among all annual conferences, reported Northcutt. A majority of the funds is raised annually at St. Yootz Day, on a Saturday in August, at Frontier City amusement park in Oklahoma City.

CCYM officers are Adam Hull and Adam Brinson, co-leaders; and Ashlee Dunlap, secretary.

On the 2009 calendar for the group:

• February-Weekend retreat, Canyon Camp

• June 7-12-JEM Camp

• June 12-14-Being just in an unjust world, Social Justice camp, Canyon Camp

• Sept. 26- Youth Summit

• Dec. 5-CCYM meeting.