The Youth Week Cruise: One Last Day

We've toured the world, had a lot of fun and explored our faith in new and exciting ways, but eventually every Youth Week- even an imaginary one- must come to an end.  It's Friday, our final day at sea before it all ends on Saturday morning.  But before it all ends, we have one final, amazing day and night to spend together.  Here is your schedule of events:
On-Board Activities

10 AM-  Bible Study-  Come to the Youth Room and we will explore the story of Jonah and The World's Worst Cruise.  Discover how God can use you in places and ways you would never dream of.  (SPF 75)

12 noon-  Lunch and Pool Party-  Meet at the church and we will shuttle over to Dr. Jill's house for a leisurely afternoon of poolside fun and fellowship.  Sandwiches will be served, and we will see (as we often really did back in the day) how many people we can fit in her pool- and house.  We may even sing some Karaoke to see if we can scare her neighbors!  (SPF 20)  You can be picked up at the church at 3 PM.

5 PM-  Rec Around the Clock-  Our Worldwide Cruise wraps up with our signature event.  Arrive at the church hungry and rested, because it is going to be a HUGE night!  Here we go (this schedule would both exhaust us all and break the bank, but in my imagination it is completely possible!):

• It's off to a final dinner party at Miyabi/Kyoto (who have just re-opened in time to hold a private party for their favorite group- right?)!  The rice will be piled high as we eat until we can hardly move.  But move we will, as we head for stop #2...
• We'll visit the Florida Mall for one of our infamous Scavenger Hunts, including the always embarrassing Search for the Pink Panther!  Winning team gets vintage 2003 Graceland t-shirts and a can of SPAM!
• From the mall we head over to Springfield Friends Meeting (I know it's in NC- but for this night time, distance and location do not matter- only dreams!) because it is the best place ever for playing SARDINES!  The many rooms, twisting stairwells and hidden closets make for incredible hiding places. Plus there is some chance it is haunted (The Ghost Room)! We will also work in a few games of Kick the Can in the Graveyard (which unless you were with me at New Garden or Springfield you never got to play).  And the games are just beginning...
• It's time for Midnight Disco Bowling!  A RAC staple for many years- in fact, I don't know the last time I bowled when it wasn't midnight or later!
• SLURPEE BREAK!

• We're back at the church where a huge surprise awaits us in the Chapel.  It's Real Worship, Real Late & Real Loud, featuring the David Crowder* Band!  They will blow the roof off the place, and we will get a final Save the Humans message from old friends Cathy Thacker and Darin Miller.  SPF 200 - at least!!!
• Then we are off to play Laser Tag, which always seemed so high-tech back in the '90's.  Now it is just fun to play when you know everyone in the room and get to shoot them- like we will!
• It should be around 5 AM by now, which means one very important thing- the Hot Doughnuts NOW sign is on at Krispy Kreme!  And we will make every effort to eat them all!  Breakfast is served!  YAY for exclamation points!!!
• Now that we have a good sugar rush going, there's no need to stop, right?  I said RIGHT?  If you still need help staying awake, a little 6 AM Ice Skating should take care of the trick.  If you can't wake 'em up, FREEZE 'em, I always say.  Plus there will be full-body ice sliding.  NOW you are awake...
• We wrap up the night by heading down to the Lake Toho shelter and singing a song or two and sharing in our prayer circle together.  And for anyone who remembers the last time we tried this so early in the morning, I promise no mosquitoes. After all, this is all in my imagination anyway!

And we are done.  Quite a week, huh?  I don't know about you but I am worn out.  But just like with all of the real Youth Weeks, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.  As for my original query about getting adults excited about church again, I still have no answer.  But maybe, just maybe, if we were to approach adult ministry with the same outside the box thinking it takes to draw youth to the church then our churches would be much stronger.  Adults get side-tracked by business and politics.  With youth, it's all about building relationships, and it is all about Jesus.  It's just a thought.  This blog will return to regular programming tomorrow.  Thanks for letting me live out TW3.

Because of Jesus,

Port of Call: Africa

Blessings to everyone who commented yesterday- feel free to leave more today!  It's Day 5!  Thanks for hanging in there readers, only one more day left to survive in this weird, wild, wacky fictional Youth Week!  Yesterday and today could have easily happened; I would not expect anything that rational from tomorrow's Rec Around the Clock schedule!  If none of this makes any sense to you, I suggest going back and reading That Was The Week That Wasn't.  It may not help much, but it's a start!  :)

We travelled all night while you slept, and apart from having suffered the righteous indignation of Teresa Reep Tysinger for not mentioning her in yesterday's blog (I forgot she and Cyndi were born in Hawaii) it was a safe journey!  We have arrived early this morning at the mysterious continent of Africa.  Here is what your Thursday will look like:

Port of Call:  Africa
7 AM-  You have two excursions to choose from this morning. Both are exciting, and each lets you choose a part of "Africa" to explore.  You may only choose one:

A)  Tubing on the Ichetuknee River- (You can just pretend it's the Nile) Enjoy a 3-hour ride into the deepest wilds, where you will be given a tube and thrown into a freezing cold river for a slow ride through some of the prettiest country you will ever see!  You may spot exotic wildlife in its natural habitat.  You are almost certain to see many of the natives (we call them "rednecks") screaming, hollering and drinking beer.  After floating for a couple of hours you will be relaxed and amazed at how much Africa resembles northern Florida.  A picnic lunch featuring authentic hamburgers and hot dogs from Nambibia ( I have no idea what that means) will be served, and then you can take another crack at the river.  Did I mention the river is cold?  You will return to the church around 6 PM.  (SPF 25)  Or you can choose to...

B)  Busch Gardens, Tampa-  If the wonders of nature and cold water are not your thing, then perhaps we can interest you in a roller coaster and some wild animals!  Busch Gardens (with its African theme) features both, and you will have a day to check it all out.  Ride the Montu, Kumba and SheiKra.  Explore the animal exhibits and see the shows. Then ride those killer coasters one more time!  Lunch will be provided by Mel's Hot Dogs, a Tampa landmark located next door to the park.  You will also return around 6 PM.  There is not much spiritual value here (SPF 10) but I know some of you will be praying on those coasters...

6 PM-  Those of you who spent the day exploring will be joined by those who stayed on the ship and took naps for dinner with the Captain and his pet gorilla!  Moe's Southwest Grill will handle the catering (I know Mexico is not in Africa; but I don't care!  It's time for Moe's!), and you will learn about ways you can make a difference in the world through a presentation from Compassion International.  Plus the showers in the gym (YES!  Finally, we have a gym!  In Kissimmee we almost built one, but didn't.  In Hinsdale we almost built one, but didn't.  In Tampa, we built a perfectly good one that we couldn't use for two years- until after I was gone.  So dang straight my dream week has a gym!!!  Sorry- had to get that off my chest!) will be open for those of you who still smell like the river.  Because we are not done yet!

7 PM-  (In my best Michael Buffer impression) Let's get ready to worship!  Our Disney Video Moment comes from The Lion King.  The Drama Team will present the skit The Circle of Life, featuring the return of the world's worst Crocodile Hunter!  Then there will be awesome music and worship, featuring the great Tony Campolo delivering the message The Kingdom of God Is A Party!  And you'll have a chance to commit to serving God by serving others by sponsoring a child through Compassion International. (SPF 100).  It will be quite a night.

Sleep well, my darlings- for tomorrow we don't sleep at all!  It's time to Rec Around the Clock!

Port of Call: Hawaii

I hope some of you are enjoying this week as much as I am!  Welcome to Day 4 of my fictional ultimate Youth Week, based on a week I planned 3 different times and never got to do.  To catch up on what this is all about, go back and read That Was The Week That Wasn't.  This week is much like the movie "Inception."  If you can figure out where or when any of this is supposed to be happening, and which parts might be real and which parts are only a dream, then please-  TELL ME!  I am a bit confused... 

"Howareya, 5-O?"  It's Day 4 (Wednesday) of the the "best Youth Week ever" finds us heading to the beautiful Hawaiian islands for an amazing night of tropical fun and fellowship.  But first, we have some interesting activities to keep you busy while we are at sea.  Enjoy!

On-Board Activities
10 AM-  Meet at the church and you'll be given a team, a driver and a list of Random Acts of Kindness you can do in the name of Jesus!  The list will take you all over town, and you will document your team serving others with a digital camera.  See how many people you can make smile with simple acts of service in a two hour period.  (SPF 80)  Then gather back at the church...

12 noon- It's time for buffalo wings (courtesy of PG's) and Beach Volleyball (you didn't really think I would have a "dream church" and not have a beach volleyball court, did ya?)!  In addition to regular volleyball, there we will play some Ultimate Volleyball, with everyone on the court at one time as we seek to break our all-time record by keeping a beach ball in the air for over 150 hits.  (SPF 25)  At 1:30 PM it's time to go home and shower- but hurry back!

5 PM-  Hula Dancer Practice.  If you would like to learn to Hula, and you are willing to perform in front of a crowd, then come to the Youth Room and learn from the best!  Matthew and Brook Teoli, Elizabeth Dykes, Kim Heiter and Ben Thacker will teach the ancient Hawaiian art of Hula (OK, full disclosure- I don't know if any of those people can actually Hula dance.  But they get the job because they are the best dancers I have ever known.  Except for Ben...).  The dancers will then perform as part of our Luau!  (No SPF for this, but the bravery factor is very high!)

Port of Call:  Hawaii
6 PM-  Join us in the Youth Room for another of our world famous Luau parties!  The evening will begin with dinner featuring pulled pork, Polynesian chicken, tons of fruit and a variety of other authentic (well- we try!) island dishes! Plus there will be all the Tiki Punch you can drink!  As you eat, you can see the pictures that groups took earlier in the day as they performed Random Acts of Kindness.  Dinner will be followed by a Hula contest, a performance by our nearly-professional Hula dancers (the ones you see on the right WILL NOT be asked to perform!), a Limbo competition and Body Surfing (Remember that one?  Someone stands on my back and tries to "surf" while I attempt to throw them off.  Watch out for the big waves...).  Our Disney Video Moment wil feature Lilo and Stitch.  The Drama Team will present the skit Ohana Means Family (featuring an appearance by Elvis!), which will lead us into worship with music (Chances we open with Lahina are 100%!) and our guest speaker, Hawaiian pastor Rick Bundschuh (father of Justin "Pepe" Bundschuh of Spooky Tuesday fame).  Rick will help us Save the Humans by reminding us that church people can be a difficult bunch to get along with sometimes, as he speaks on the topic Jesus, Please Save Me From "The Christians!"  We'll close with some more music and a time of commitment.  (SPF 100)  Be sure and bring everyone you know to this great night of fun and faith!  And Happy Hump Day, everyone!

Now that you have finished reading, this is the perfect time to click the word "Comment" below and tell me your thoughts on our cruise so far! :)

Port of Call: Antarctica

Welcome to Day 3 of my fictional ultimate Youth Week, based on a week I planned 3 different times and never got to do.  To understand what I am up to, check out That Was The Week That Wasn't.  To understand me- well, good luck with that!

It's Tuesday, and we have a very special day planned for our cruisers!  It's a long day, so just jump in and hang on!

Port of Call:  Antarctica
9 AM-  We'll gather at the church and take "shuttle boats" over the coldest stop on our trip- Antarctica!  You probably knew that there would be ice and penguins and snow- you may not have known there would be totally awesome water slides as well!  That's right, we will spend the day at Disney's Blizzard Beach.  You can zoom down the Summit Plummet, float on the Cross-Country Creek, ride the Downhill Double Dipper or just hang out and catch some rays.    Blizzard Beach will rock, and you will not want to miss it!  It's going to be an awesome day, so be sure to bring your sun screen, your towel and a change of clothing because our trip to Antarctica includes one more stop.  (SPF 10)  We will get back on the shuttles at 5 PM and head over for a very special night...

5:30 PM-  Our "shuttle boats" will then take us to a restaurant hidden deep in the heart of the frozen continent- or better yet, to Planet Hollywood!  We have the third floor reserved for a private party (This ridiculous idea is one I actually explored.  We could have done it.  I would have had to sell all my possessions, both lungs and a kidney...), featuring dinner, a skit on Thawing Out Our Chilly World and a special musical guest.  The night then wraps up with our old friend Curt Cloninger performing his one-man show, Witnesses.  You'll meet characters, real and fictional, who knew Jesus when he walked on the earth.  It's fun, it's moving and it will make you want to know that same Jesus even more!  Plus there is all the fun that is Planet Hollywood!  It is going to be an amazing night.  (SPF 100)  The shuttles will return you to the church at 9 PM.  Then go home and get some sleep.  You are going to need it...

Port of Call: Australia

Happy Labor Day, and welcome to Day 2 of my fictional ultimate Youth Week, based on a week I planned 3 different times and never got to do.  Confused?  Go back and read the posts from the past 2 days.  Still confused?  Then I can't help you...

It's Monday of the Youth Week Worldwide Cruise, and we are at sea!  Enjoy the day with some great adventures during the day and our exotic location in the evening. Here's the schedule:

On-Board Activities:

9:30 AM-  Meet at the church and we will head over for our annual Putt-Putt Masters Golf Tournament at Walt Disney World's Fantasia Gardens course.  This is your chance to compete against some of the worst mini-golfers in the world, including 1998 Festival of Fools champion Adam Hill (pictured at right).  You'll play in 4-person teams with a "Best Ball Captain's Choice Scramble" format, and the winners will take home vintage 1999 "Comin' At Ya' Like a Blitz" t-shirts!  How great is that?  You can use golf words like Par, Fore and Bogey that you seldom get a chance to drop into everyday conversation.  The golfer with the lowest score will take home the coveted Purple Jacket.  Plus we will have a Hole-in-One contest and several other surprises. (SPF 10)  You can be picked up at the church at 12 noon if you need a nap after all of the excitement, or.... 

12 noon-  You can join us for The Lunch Bunch!  We'll be going to Pizza Inn for the incredible buffet (Yes- I know Pizza Inn is in High Point, NC, and this is taking place in Florida.  You still aren't getting that this is my dream week and EVERYTHING is possible!) and lots of great fellowship.  And after all, what is a cruise without food!  Be sure and try the cherry "pizzert."   We'll be done at 1:30 PM.  (SPF 25)  And then it is on to our first port of the trip...

Port of Call:  Australia
7 PM-  Our first stop on the Save the Humans worldwide cruise is the land down under!  Join us in the Youth Room and we'll play some Australian themed games (Kangaroo Hop Technicolor Stomp, anyone?) and make our very own Vegemite sandwiches. Our drama team will present a skit featuring the world's worst Crocodile Hunter, and we''ll have a Disney Video Moment with The Rescuers Down Under.  Our friends from Gatorland will stop by with some friends for us to pet, and the good people of the local Outback Steakhouse will provide some snacks for us.  And the night will end with music and worship featuring a message from all-time favorite guest speaker Duffy Robbins, entitled Real Christians:  An Endangered Species.  Bring all of your friends and come join us.  We might even throw some shrimp on the barbie...  (SPF 75) 

 Be sure and join us tomorrow as we lift anchor and head for another exciting port!

Welcome Aboard!

I hope you all are ready- it's time to launch the Youth Week that never happened!  Join us on our cruise every day this week.  For more explanation, see yesterday's post.  Be sure and click on comments at the bottom of the post to let me know which events you "plan to attend."  And remember- it's a dream week, so we can do anything I want to!      :)

"One hope, baby- only God can save the humans now..."

The Youth Week Worldwide Cruise departs today!  You will not want to miss this fictional adventure with a different Port of Call each day, as well as many festive On-board Activities!  Plus each event will come with its own SPF rating- that's Soul Protection Factor!  The higher the number, the more spiritual the content.  Here is the schedule for Sunday:

6 PM-  All students and their families are invited to join us for the Captain's Dinner in the Fellowship Hall, featuring catering by Fat Boy's BBQ!  This is a great opportunity to meet your crew (Youth Ministry Team) as they serve you dinner.  You can also connect with passengers you may not yet know as we play some dreaded Name Games.  It's a great time to get your passports that serve as tickets for the rest of the cruise.  And did I mention it is all-you-can-eat?  Plus have your picture taken with a very special guest- and it's not Jerry!  Then be sure and stick around for an evening of entertainment.  (SPF-10)

7 PM-  We set sail and celebrate with a Bon Voyage Party!  The evening will begin with a concert from our favorite Slinky players- Lost And Found!  You'll hear Lions, Slide Girl, Baby and many other classics!  Be sure and come dressed in blue- 'cause that's what slide girls do!  A skit featuring some of your peers will follow, helping us introduce our theme and scripture for the week for the week.  Our scripture comes from 1 Thessalonians 2:8- "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel, but our very lives as well, because you have become do dear to us."  This amazing evening will wrap-up with the improvisational antics of CPR- Carl, Pete and Ringo (I know they broke up 5 years ago, but this is my dream week, so shut up!)!  You and your family and friends will become part of the show, so don't miss out on the fun.  Plus there will be prizes and surprises galore as we set sail on our week-long adventure, going worldwide to Save the Humans!  It's all over by 9:30.  Join us- and Stein Auf!  (SPF-35)  See you tomorrow!

That Was The Week That Wasn't

The real end of summer- Labor Day- is right around the corner, and I have been thinking a lot about all of the summer ministries I was involved in over the years.  Beginning in the late 1980's (see The First Youth Week) I included a Youth Week in every summer that I planned.  The week always had a theme, and always featured at least one event each day.  It most often began with something at the church on Sunday evening and ended when Rec Around the Clock finished on Saturday morning.  It was always one of my favorite weeks of the year, both in the planning and the execution.

In September of 1999 my future at FUMC-K was a bit up in the air, but I was still expecting to be there the following summer.  The year 2000.  It seemed like it should be big deal, and I began to formulate a plan to make Youth Week 2000 the most amazing ever.  We had always joked about taking a group cruise; I began thinking about a cruise themed Youth Week instead. But then life happened and I left in March of 2000.  Fast-forward to late 2004.  I was the speaker at Youth Tremors, a post-Christmas camp for students held at Quaker Lake.  My old friend Tim Vestal, who coordinated the event, used a cruise theme for the long weekend.  It reminded me of my previous plans, and upon my return to Wesley Memorial UMC I began to put together a special Youth Week for 2005.  The theme would be the 2004 Ian Eskelin song Save the Humans (you can hear it at the top) and we would "tour the world" with the message of Jesus.  I wrote scripts for skits, and we even went to the beach and made our very own Save the Humans video, which I hope to someday be able to show you.  Once again life intervened, and I left WMUMC in late May of 2005.  Again my plans went unused.  In January of 2007 I began to prepare a scaled-down (but still cruise themed) Youth Week for the students of Trinity UMC.  But due to my own sin and stupidity, my career ended in February, with the plans already in my computer.  Three times I tried, and three time I failed.  Clearly, that was the week that wasn't (TW3)!

Those of you who know me know how much I hate to give up on a good idea.  Some might refer to me as stubborn or hard-headed.  I prefer persistent- especially when it comes to the things of God!  In any case, I have decided to share TW3 with my readers over the next week.  That means this blog will be a little weird- for one week it will be fictional!  I have combined some of the original elements from FUMC-K with some of the ideas from WMUMC and TUMC (and some brand new stuff!).  What you get in the end is a killer (if outrageously expensive) dream Youth Week Worldwide Cruise as it might happen in the Orlando/Kissimmee area today.  I know it would not have been realistic, but hey- I can dream, right?  So don't get hung up on the facts- just enjoy the ride!  I will write of each day's events just like I would have in a summer brochure if we were actually doing it- so feel free to sign up for the events you like!  :)  And it's all free!!!  This little experiment is my way of taking care of some unfinished business.  For you, I hope it will remind you of the excitement of looking ahead to great youth events.  This may be even more fun now that you are an adult...

As I have planned this blog event, one question keeps popping into my somewhat mushy brain- How do we get people as excited about church as adults as we all used to be about events like this one?  All input is appreciated.  Now get excited, and tell all your friends- Youth Week 2010 begins tomorrow!

Because of Jesus,