Convention 2008

Shout with all your Might!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008 to Sunday, July 6, 2008

Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Video: spinnning at the park - Convention 2007

The Annual Convention of The Swedenborgian Church is a greatly anticipated and exciting time of year. All ages of our church family from all over North America converge to one place where we spend a few days conducting church business, worshipping, learning and playing together.

Every year teens have a great time at Convention. Most teens choose to room with another teen. It's exciting to share a dorm room with someone else at a college campus! You have a lot of freedom, but with it, comes a lot of responsibility. While the adults conduct the business of the church, teens join together in youth outings, planning meetings, games and discussion. We work most of the day Thursday preparing our very own worship service which we conduct on Friday morning. Friday and Saturday afternoons are usually outing days with fun trips planned in and around the greater Boston area. Evenings are filled with all-Convention activities, including 4th of July BBQ and fireworks. Saturday we plan to visit the exciting and famous Harvard Square area.

The teens set up an SCYL table. We'll be fundraising by selling hats, trading cards and other merchandise. Proceeds from the sales go towards travel and retreat financial assistance so more teens can attend SCYL events. All teens can help with the sales table.

On campus, we have access to tennis courts and the pool and I am thinking the teens might want to have a pool party. Please let me know what other things you might like to do to make your Convention time rewarding and fun. Here are some things you should think about bringing to Convention.

Bathing suit, tennis racket, musical instruments, sports equipment (basketballs, Frisbees, etc.), sunscreen, basic toiletries, nice clothes for church, some spending money ($60 is plenty and $20 is all that is actually needed). Linens are provided so you don't need a sleeping bag or pillow. Also, it is best to leave expensive items that you don't want to lose at home.

The theme "Shout with all your Might!" is based on the story of the of Jericho in Joshua Chapter 6. You might like to read it if you plan on attending Convention this year. Please think about any music (ipod, cd, sheet music) that you might like to play/sing at the worship service during. Each teen has a opportunity to play an instrument and/or sing during our SCYL worship service. Since the theme is Shout with all your Might! is based on the story in of the taking of the city of Jericho, songs that relate to walls falling down or shouting are particularly interesting.