FYI from Pastor Jose – December 21, 2011 (Atlantic Union Adventist Youth Ministries)
Pastor Jose’s FYI
Adventist Youth Ministries of the Atlantic Union Conference 
 December 2011
In This Issue
REPORTS
ACTIONS TAKEN DURING OUR YEAREND/FALL MEETINGS
OFFICIAL CALENDAR OF ADVENTIST YOUTH MINISTRIES IN THE ATLANTIC UNION FOR 2012
SAVE THE DATES FOR THE YEARS 2013-2016
CALENDAR OF SPIRITUAL PROGRAMS & EVENTS IN OUR CONFERENCES

Mission 

“We exist to Empower, Deploy, & Multiply Youth & Young Adults.” 


Vision  

“The Youth and the Young Adults of the Atlantic Union are: Committed, United & Innovative, in Spiritual Growth, Mission and Leadership.”

 
 

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Blue Stripes

 
Greetings!

On June 12 of this year, when the delegates to the Atlantic Union Conference Constituency Session elected me to become the Director for Youth Ministries for 2011-2016, our family faced the reality of leaving an area that we knew, filled with people whom we love and who love us, and to transition into the unknown. We had been in Greater New York Conference since January 2003. When Joanne and I told the kids, we were moving to Massachusetts, Jose III started crying and said the he did not want to move, then he asked if people in Massachusetts spoke English, and both Jose III & Joel also asked if we were going to be OK since we like the Yankees. In order to be in the South Lancaster area for the beginning of the school year, we had to start working on the transition very fast.

 

Cortes family saying good-bye to Greater New York

In consultation with the administration of the Atlantic Union and the officers of Greater New York Conference we worked out the details and said goodbye to our beloved Greater New York Conference on June 25th and began fulfilling our new responsibilities on July 1. In between the new office and trips to the different conferences, we also dedicated a good amount of time to looking for housing and getting things ready for the move. We were greatly blessed by God because within days we were able to find a home and on August 5th, we moved into our new home in Massachusetts. The kids began school on time, right in the middle of August, and they are loving it. Just the other day Jose III came from school and asked: “Are we allowed to like the Yankees and the Patriots?” When asked at church in regards to his sports teams, Joel responded: “I am a big Yankee fan and a little Red Sox fans.” Kids say the most interesting things.

On behalf of my family I want to say thank you for the great welcome and the love you have already given to us, across the Union, through the first few months. Our colleagues at the Atlantic Union Headquarters, (Administrators and office Team), the Conference Youth Directors, and each one of you, whom we have already met, have welcomed us with open arms and treated us with much love. We feel
Pastor Jose & Pastor Bill during Atlantic Union Constituency Session
blessed to have been chosen to work together, as we lead our Youth, Young Adults, and many kids into discipleship and the fulfilling of the great commission.
I must also add a word of recognition to my predecessor, Pastor Bill Wood, who served our Atlantic Union Youth Department for a record time of 12 years; during his last days at the office he took time out to show me around. Dalia Castellanos, the Administrative Assistant at the Adventist Youth Ministries Department has also been instrumental during the time of transition.
The purpose of Pastor Jose’s FYI is to stay in touch with you and keep you informed in regards to anything and everything that happens in Adventist Youth Ministries across the Atlantic Union (including each Conference). I will also share with you  & journal a bit on my visits and travels throughout our Union territory, I know many of you like to know and follow what your Atlantic Union Youth Director is doing. I will be more than glad to share with you. Feel free to share this FYI with others online, via social media, or by printing it and posting it on your church’s bulletin board.
Many Blessings & Love!
Jose

REPORTS
Atlantic Union Adventist Youth Minstries Directors
Adventist Youth Ministries Directors Advisories (September 26-28, 2011)
The Conference Adventist Youth Ministries Directors and Associates were all in South Lancaster for our Yearend/Fall Advisory. Some of the points on the agenda for these meetings were: Philosophy of Ministry, Unity of Purpose & Harmony in Adventist Youth Ministries in the Atlantic Union, Mission and Vision Statement, Theme for 2011-2016, Evangelism & Mission, Calendar of Events 2011-2016, among others.
The Directors and Associates in attendance were: Stefan Burton-Schnull (representing Bermuda’s Youth Ministries while a Director is elected), Andres Peralta (newly appointed Director in Greater New York), Dan Whitlow (New York), Nigel Lewis (Northeastern), Phil Wesley (Northeastern), Harry Sabnani (Northern New England), Josue Feliciano (Southern New England), and Ryan Simpson (newly appointed Associate Director in Southern New England). During the meetings we were also able to Video-Conference with Pastor Jonatan Tejel (World Pathfinder Director), Pastors James Black and Manny Cruz (North American Division Youth Leaders), and Japheth de Oliveira (Director of Center for Youth Evangelism).

 

I Atlantic Union Adventist Youth Ministries Council Retreat,

Camp Berkshire, Wingdale, NY
Atlantic Union Adventist Youth Ministries Council  (November 4-6, 2011)

 

This is the first time, at least that anyone could remember that we’ve had a meeting of the Atlantic Union Adventist Youth Ministries Council, which is formed by the Adventist Youth Ministries Directors of each Conference and the head Coordinators of the Ministries and Areas within the each Conference. Over 60 leaders, representing each Conference in the Atlantic Union were present. The purpose of the meeting was to come together for prayer, inspiration, vision casting, sharing of ideas, and to strengthen our unity of mission, direction and purpose in Adventist Youth Ministries in the Atlantic Union. During this meeting we also talked about values, goals, and the need for more ministries in order to reach out to a wider group of youth and young adults.

To see more pictures of the Retreat, click on the following link: http://on.fb.me/sRLsmz

 

ACTIONS TAKEN DURING OUR YEAREND/FALL MEETINGS

1. Department/Ministry Name Change
Adventist Youth Ministries (Department) is the new official name in the Atlantic Union replacing Youth/Pathfinder Ministries or Youth/Pathfinder Department. The change was done not only to add a sense of identity but to create unity among the ministries designed to reach our youth, young adults, and kids.
2. Reaffirm the Official Ministries of the Church in the Atlantic Union under Adventist Youth Ministries

Adventist Christian Fellowship (ACF) ministers to College & University Students in public campuses

 


Adventurer Ministry/Network ministers to kids ages 5-10 and their parents

 


Adventist Youth/AY Society ministers to youth ages 13-17

 


Camp Ministry: for kids, teens, and their families

 


Master Guide/PLA/PIA for ages 16 and up

 

National Service Organization ministers to Adventists serving in the military



Pathfinder Ministry for kids and teens ages 10-15

 

Young Adult Ministry for older youth, young adults, and young professionals, ages 18-35/+

3. VISION of Adventist Youth Ministries in the Atlantic Union
The Vision is what you see happening, it is that which you would like to see take place. It is a destination. As our team struggled with what we would love to see in the Atlantic Union during the next five years, this is what God put in our hearts:
“The Youth and the Young Adults of the Atlantic Union are: Committed, United & Innovative, in Spiritual Growth, Mission and Leadership.”
4. Mission of Adventist Youth Ministries in the Atlantic Union
The mission is what you do in order to fulfill your vision, how do you get there.
“The Mission of the Adventist Youth Ministries in the Atlantic Union is

to Empower, Deploy & Multiply youth and young adults.”


5. New Adventist Youth Ministries Logo in the Atlantic Union

New Logo for the Atlantic Union Adventist Youth Ministries was voted. Following is an explanation to the logo:
AYM is Adventist Youth Ministries, the umbrella over each ministry for youth, young adults, and kids in the Atlantic Union.
The 7 stars are the six Conferences that form our Union (Bermuda, Greater New York, New York, Northeastern, Northern New England, and Southern New England) and our College Campus/Atlantic Union. It also represents the 6 days in which God created the earth and the Sabbath.
The three stripes going across the AY represent the Three Angel’s Message of Revelation 14.
The colors also have a meaning: red is the blood that Jesus shed when He died for us; Yellow/Gold is the Holy Spirit and the Glory of God; Blue/Purple is the color of royalty, we are sons and daughters of God, and the background Blue is heaven, representing the Second Coming of Jesus.
6. Shoulder Patch for Uniforms
New Atlantic Union Adventist Youth Ministries shoulder Patch was approved for Adventurer, Pathfinder, & Master Guide Uniforms. This replaces the shoulder patch which we’ve had for the last 10 years. The purpose of the change was to align our Atlantic Union uniform patch with our Atlantic Union logo. At the same time we wanted our shoulder patch to reflect our identity and our mission through the symbolism already explained in the logo. One more thing we wanted to bring about was cohesiveness and unity among our uniform ministries (Adventurer Ministry, Pathfinder Ministry, and Master Guides) and all other Youth Ministries, they are all under the umbrella of Adventist Youth Ministries. They are not in competition or opposition to each other, though different and varied, all of of our Adventist Youth Ministries are under the same umbrella and going in the same direction.
The patches will be available at your Conference Adventist Youth Ministries Office or ABC, whichever does the distribution of Adventist Youth Ministries items, by the end of January.
7. Communications, website, and Social Media
The following communication methods were discussed, suggested, and voted for Adventist Youth Ministries in the Atlantic Union


Website: www.AUYouth.com (will be unveiled on January 1, 2012)

It would be awesome if you look up these pages and “LIKE” them. For the Twitter page you can look it up and FOLLOW us.
8. Theme 2011-2016: “The Future is Now”

During the Adventist Youth Ministries Leadership Team Council we decided to officially retire the phrase “The Youth are the Future of the Church” from the vocabulary of Adventist Youth Ministries in the Atlantic Union and voted to bring in the new phrase “The Future is Now.” As leaders we recognize that unless youth, young adults, and kids are an integral and relevant part of the church today, they will not be here in the future. With this theme we are affirming our corporate belief that now is the time for young people to be involved in the mission, service, life, and leadership of the church in its different levels. We also believe that we don’t have a long time to fulfill our mission, now is the time to pray, to seek the power of the Holy Spirit, to act, and to see the miracles of God. This generation does not only want to relate to the blessings and miracles of God in the past or in the future, this generation wants to begin to live the abundant life promised in the Bible today. 

 

 

 

OFFICIAL CALENDAR OF ADVENTIST YOUTH MINISTRIES IN THE ATLANTIC UNION FOR 2012
GodEncounters for Young Adults (February 3-5, 2012 @ Camp       

 Winnekeag):

 

GodEncounters is a life-changing experience for young 

 adults and is coming up in February 3-5, 2012. Young Adults,
 University Students, Young Professionals are invited to be a part of
 this awesome experience: “The Future is NOW” Anointed to Serve & Lead. The Flyer and Registration Forms are included here.

 

 

Just Claim It/JCI III (March 7-11, 2012, in Greensboro, North Carolina)

A North American Division Prayer Conference and a Leadership Convention. An awesome opportunity to meet thousands of Adventist Youth, Young Adults, and Adventist Youth Ministries leaders from the United States, Canada, and Bermuda. We would like to have a large delegation of youth, young adults, and adults who are involved with Adventist Youth Ministries from the Conferences in the Atlantic Union. For more info on Just Claim It III, please click on this link: http://www.jci3.org/


Week of Youth & Young Adult Evangelism (March 17-24, 2012 @ each local church in the Atlantic Union). This is a special week, where youth and young adults will become the speakers and present relevant messages to their friends, family, school mates, and colleagues. Save the date in your church’s calendar and make sure your church participates, even if your church only has a handful of young people. Small Group Lessons, Sermon Materials and Resources will be provided for this outreach experience. Hundred of youth and young adults will be speaking every night, at the same time, across New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and the country of Bermuda. It will be a very spiritu al and empowering experience for Youth and Young Adults in your church and in the Atlantic Union.  

 

Pastor Stefan Burton-Schnüll Baptizing in Bermuda 

 

Youth Baptism Day (March 24, 2012 @ each local church in the Atlantic Union) A Youth Baptism has been planned for this day, hundreds of youth and young adults will be baptized throughout the Atlantic Union on this day. Now is the time to start preparing for the special day. Be intentional and let youth and young adults know that on this day your church will hold the special baptism.

 


Atlantic Union Festival of the Laity (March 30 – April 1, 2012 @ Stamford, Connecticut) For the first time in its history, the Atlantic Union Festival of the Laity will have an Adventist Youth Ministries Track. Youth, Young Adults, and Adult Leaders are invited to register and participate in this equipping experience, designed to prepare people for outreach and  ministry. For more info, please check this link: http://bit.ly/sVkQVE

 
Adventist Christian Fellowship Summit for College & University Students (April 13-16, 2012 @ Columbia University): College and University students will be coming to New York City’s Columbia University to participate in the summit for College and University students. Updates will be provided in the weeks to come.

 

World Pathfinder Day & Pathfinder Baptism Day in the Atlantic Union

(September 15, 2012 @ each local church)
 

 
North American Division Satellite Latino Youth Net/Spanish (October 13-20, live from Orlando, Florida on Esperanza TV)

North American Division Satellite Latino Youth Net/English (November 3-10 from Orlando, Florida, on Hope TV)

 

 
Adventurer Day & Adventurer Baptism Day in the Atlantic Union (October 13, 2012 @ each local church)
 


Academy Service & Leadership Conference (November 8-10, 2012  @Location to be Announced)

 

 

Cruise with a Mission (December 9-16, 2012 leaving out of Fort Lauderdale Port, Florida)The Atlantic Union Adventist Youth Ministries Department has joined the Center for Youth Evangelism on this Mission Trip for Young Adults. An awesome experience which includes daily spiritual inspiration, mission, network opportunities, and much fun. For more info, click on this link: http://bit.ly/6rk3KV

A few pictures from the recently concluded Cruise with a Mission 2011 are posted on our Facebook Page AtlanticUnionAdventistYouthMinistries.
 

 

SAVE THE DATES FOR THE YEARS 2013-2016
III World Youth Congress (July 1-13, 2013 @ Cape Town & Pretoria, South Africa) Youth and Young Adults from all over the world will travel to Cape Town to participate in Community Service Projects from July 1-5, 2013. The Congress will begin on July 8 through 13, 2013 in Pretoria, the capital of South Africa. We would like to take a big delegation from the Atlantic Union to participate in both, the Mission Project and the World Youth Congress. For more info, please check this link: http://bit.ly/vBdgGb


Just Claim It (March 2014 @ Location TBA)

Forever Faithful Pathfinder International Camporee (August 11-16, 2014, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin)

 

Pathfinder Clubs, it is time to start thinking and envisioning your next once in a lifetime Oshkosh Camporee experience. Don’t leave the planning to the last minute. For more info, please click here: http://bit.ly/b6P1DM

 

Atlantic Union Adventist Youth Evangelism & Leadership Congress (January 15-19, 2015 @ Location TBA)

Atlantic Union Pathfinder Camporee (May 18-22, 2016 @ Burlingame State Park, Charlestown, Rhode Island) We are working on these dates right now, we are also checking with the different states to make sure there are no Tests or Examinations that interfere with this date. If you are aware of a conflict in your territory, please communicate with us ASAP, as we conclude the planning for the Camporee Dates. 

 

 

CALENDAR OF SPIRITUAL PROGRAMS & EVENTS IN OUR CONFERENCES

BERMUDA CONFERENCE

Leadership Camp (January 27-29, 2012). For more info, please click on link:

 http://sdayouthbermuda.org/

 
 GREATER NEW YORK CONFERENCE

 

Youth Fasting and Prayer (January 7, 2012)
Ski Trip (January 8, 2012)
VI Adventist Youth Evangelism & Leadership Congress (January 20-22, 2012)
For more info, please go to: www.gnycyouth.com


NEW YORK CONFERENCE
For more info, please click on this link: http://bit.ly/vqJbc1

Camp Cherokee
 
NORTHEASTERN CONFERENCE
Youth Ministries Convention (January 12-15, 2012)
For more info, please click on following link: http://necyouthministries.org/ 

NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE
Mission Trip to India (Leaving on January 15). There is one spot left for this trip, if you or someone you know would like to go, please contact Pastor Harry Sabnani at the Northern New England Conference Office, (207) 797-3760.
For more info, please contact: http://www.nnec.org/

Adventurers
Pathfinders

 


SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE
For more info, please click on this link: http://www.snecyouth.org/
 
 

Conference Adventist Youth Ministries Directors

 

____________________________, Bermuda
Andres Peralta, Greater New York
Dan Whitlow, New York
Nigel Lewis, Northeastern
Phil Wesley, Associate Director, Northeastern  
Harry Sabnani, Northern New England
Josue Feliciano, Southern New England
Ryan Simpson, Associate Director, Southern New England

 
Adventist Youth Ministries Administrative Assistants

                                                                      

Dalia Castellanos,   Atlantic Union

 

Lynette Albuoy, Bermuda   

Veronica Chaug,  Greater New York 

 Barbara Bridges, New York 

JeNean A. Johnson, Northeastern

 

Diane Kane, Northern New England

 April Montoya, Southern New England

Milca Amich, Southern New England
 

 


Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists 

 

 

 

 
This email was sent to gnycyouth@aol.com by jcortes@atlanticunion.org |

 
Adventist Youth Ministries of the Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists | 400 Main St | South Lancaster | MA | 01561