Delegates came together from many different places to discover, celebrate and deepen the faith and unity we share in Jesus Christ through the many different facets of NCYC. NCYC forms temporary but intentional Christian community for the week of convention, forging spiritual friendships that can last a lifetime. Over one hundred participants came from many indigenous communities around Australia, another hundred from Pacific islander and other “second-gen” groups, and twenty-five New Zealanders flew across the Tasman. NCYC09 represented well the great multi-cultural and cross-cultural diversity of the Uniting Church in Australia. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive.

 

Participants said their NCYC highlights included:

• Main speakers: “All the speakers really helped me sort out the puzzle inside” (16 year old male from regional Victoria). “Shane as a speaker – left me speechless” (18 year old female from regional Queensland) echoed a hundred more who specifically mentioned Shane.

• Meeting new people: “Meeting so many awesome friends and strengthening my relationship with God” (18 year old female) “Getting to know others and understanding who I am and God” (16 year old female from Adelaide)

• Worship: “I really liked the sacred space worship – it gave me a chance to stop and listen and learn. It helped me understand things a lot more and was a great experience” (18 year old female from regional Victoria). “Involvement of Congress in NCYC worship – woo hoo! Finding direction in life through Christ” (22 year old female from Port Augusta). “Congress worship was a highlight as always” (23 year old male from regional NSW).

• ‘Submersion’ day when faith was put into action in a wide range of practical ways around the city through service, witness and political statement. “The Submersion was awesome to get out in the community for justice” (21 year old female from New Zealand)

• Nightlife and bands rocked delegates in a multitude of ways, with fantastic bands including Scat, Jess and TED, and the ‘Mock & Mingle’ bar.

• A public rally of celebration and witness at FedSquare in the centre of Melbourne to celebrate the faith in action: “Loved the public rally at Fed Square! Overall very enjoyable & heaps of fun!” (24 year old female from regional NSW)

• Community life in schools and colleges around Melbourne, where delegates formed temporary but intentional Christian communities, met new friends from many different places, spent time in small groups reflecting on faith and the convention themes. “Everything that happened at NCYC was just awesome. Community time was just great – loved every minute of it” (19 year old female from New Zealand)

• Bible studies included nine options with a diverse national range of leaders and wide range of educational styles.

• Festival time provided time to just chill out, space to burn off some energy, and a huge range of interesting activities and electives.

• “[I’m] leaving with much more understanding about my faith than when I first arrived” (16 year old female from NSW)

 

Challenging key speakers included:

• Shane Claiborne from The Simple Way community (Philadelphia, USA) who lives faith-filled discipleship, writes compelling books, and calls us all to faithful living. Shane’s post on Sojourners God’s Politics Blog entitled “When Jesus and Justice Kiss” identifies some of his highlights.

• Amie Dural from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (one of the partner churches of the Uniting Church) who works on the front-line of support for poor peasants in the Philippines, putting her life at risk to stand with the oppressed

• Robyn Whitaker is one of our great young ministers and is currently doing advanced studies in New Testament in Chicago (USA), led Bible study and also introduced the theme each day with really effective communication

• Maratja Dhamarrandji and many of the community from Galiwin’ku on Elcho Island (off the north coast of Arnhem Land) led us during the Congress worship on Monday night, and Maratja spoke with enthusiasm and read from the Bible he has recently completed ten years work translating into the local Yolngu language.

• Pastor Rodney Minniecon from Zillmere congregation Brisbane also spoke with passion, engaged the delegates and delivered a powerful message. Vince Ross, National Chair of the Uniting and Islander Christian Congress, welcomed delegates to NCYC on behalf of the traditional custodians of this land, the Wurundjeri people.

• Young up-and-comers included Fa Ngalaufe from Brisbane whose super-girl outfit and reflections on being a Tongan young woman grabbed the attention of the whole auditorium, and Daniel Todd whose passion for indigenous justice still fires his studies to be a lawyer.

 

Volunteers rock!

NCYC relies on a large network of volunteers to organise and help throughout the convention in a wide variety of roles. Many people have given much of their time before and during NCYC09, and shared their enthusiasm for ministry with young people, their experience and gifts, the money and their sleep. Without the huge voluntary effort NCYC simply would not happen, but volunteers often also get much inspiration and encouragement from their participation.

• “[The highlight was] the connections made with young people which was enriching, inspiring & encouraging. Such an exciting event to be part of. The church is in good hands for the future” (48 year old female from Victoria)

• “Another great NCYC experience seeing lives changed!!!!!” (52 year old male chaplain from NSW)

• “Great speakers. Well done – a great NCYC!” (63 year old male chaplain from Melbourne)

 

Vision & goals

NCYC09 set out to inspire, challenge and excite young people through a week-long residential Christian convention and provide a supportive environment that recognises the diversity of life and faith. NCYC provides an opportunity for young people and their congregations to be enthused, rejuvenated and even introduced to the potential available when they adopt faithful lives of discipleship. By organising an exciting, challenging Australia-wide event young people were given the means to deepen their faith so they can experience life more fully and compassionately. NCYC participants now need the support of their faith communities as they return home with a deeper commitment to discipleship and belonging, and as a result grow the church both today and into the future.

 

What’s next?

A resource pack is available online (ncyc.org.au/get-involved/resource-pack/) to assist local faith communities to appreciate the experience delegates bring back. Now is the critical time for young people to share their experience and their reflections on their faith, and begin integrating this experience into their everyday faith and life. The pack includes resources on mentoring, a reading guide to Shane Claiborne’s book “The Irresistible Revolution”, and other resources and contact details.

 

You also can download the free worship track “Converge” (ncyc.org.au/converge-live/), and buy the fantastic CD+DVD recorded live, and the NCYC09 Songbook.

 

NCYC 2011 (ncyc11.com.au) on the Gold Coast is less than two years away, so now is also the time to begin fundraising for the next landmark event for the young people of our church.

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