The Words of the MacMurdie Family
|
|
The Words of the MacMurdie Family |
On Tuesday December 29th through Wednesday December 30th, the Montana Family Church was host to the 2010 Winter Workshop for youth. There were 11 elementary, middle, and high school participants along with 6 elder second generation staff (Naomi Yakawich, Koree MacMurdie, John Yakawich, Joseph Yakawich, Ian MacMurdie, and Lee Martin). This workshop was unique in Montana history in that it was the first workshop to be entirely inspired, organized, and run by second generation. Many participants and staff alike commented that it was the best WS to be organized in Montana . Pastor Mike Yakawich observed that, "The younger youth seem to respond to 2nd gen better than they had to parents or other 1st gen".
My personal vision was to create a Workshop (WS) that could help bring the community (brothers and sisters) closer together and closer to God and also to help each person have a great start into 2010. The theme of the Winter Charge 2010 was "Knowing Myself and Becoming my true self," and the goals were:
1) better understand a principled relationship between God and humankind, parents and children, and amongst siblings.
2) Learn the importance of reflection and how it allows self discovery,
3)be ready to blast into 2010, and
4) build a tighter, stronger and deeper BC community. We were inspired more than a little by Hyung Jin Nim's sermon, "Learning to work with my God-given ability," which we read for Hoon Dok Hae on Wednesday morning.
In addition to the Winter Charge staff members and parents, Mr. David Hunter was a great source of advice and inspiration as well as other young people involved in youth ministry across the country. I am grateful for their support.
The workshop consisted of: presentations, discussions, activities, and more. One great thing we did this workshop was after a little practice and preparation, we performed at a group home (Billings Activity Center) for disabled adults. A number of the youth here in Montana are really exceptional musicians and I want to continue to encourage them to pursue Music. Also we were able to experience first hand what our parents have been telling us for years; the value of service in the community.
Presentation topics were "Who am I and who is God?" by Ian MacMurdie, "Growth", by Lee Martin, "Relationships", by John Yakawich and Pastor Mike Yakawich, and "Reflection," by Joseph Yakawich. Special guests Mr. and Mrs. Clint Woods shared also on understanding our purpose as a means to fulfill the Three Blessings and The Blessing. Everyone agreed the lectures were very good despite the challenge of: finding a way to present Principled content to a very diverse audience. All the presenters worked hard to develop simple, engaging presentations packed with info that everyone could use. Granted we believe we have room to improve many staff and parents felt that the lectures by Youth were one the strengths to this Winter Charge Workshop. Jake Yakawich (eight grade) said it like this: "The lectures were awesome. Maybe you guys can do a full 2nd gen Workshop since you guys know everything now."
Everyone involved with the workshop learned a lot, even those organizing it. John Yakawich explained in his reflection that he learned a lot about leadership by helping to organize this workshop, "what it takes to run a workshop, the time and energy involved." Lee Martin said that, "By working on my speech I found out that a perfect world would be awesome." Mr. Chad Martin said that, "The second generations are becoming great leaders." Elissa DiLorenzo (seventh grade) learned, "Teamwork is important. If you don't have teamwork with each other you probably won't accomplish the mission." Lincoln DiLorenzo said he learned that, "Reaching the perfection stage is just becoming a better version of ourselves."
"The strongest point was that every part of the WS allowed children of varying ages; 10-20, opportunities to learn and contribute," Marguerite Felig mother of Jehrmey (tenth grade). In addition to the Billings Activity Center performance we were able to spend time bowling, doing arts and crafts (everyone was able to design and create a reflection notebook), watching a movie, and numerous team building activities including one challenging game called "Minefield" where partners had to guide each other through obstacles set up across the room. The game requiring trust and communication was a metaphor to our lives and the numerous relationships we try to build and strengthen everyday and we are confident that together we can make 2010 a true jubilee year.
Finally, we are grateful to Heavenly Father, True Parents, and True Family for their unending love and guidance and to the many others in the background who helped make this workshop a success. We are looking forward to organizing many more and even better workshops in Montana beginning with a spring workshop in 2010.