Church Youth Empowerment Weekend coming to Catawba | Community Spirit

SALISBURY - For the second consecutive year, Church Youth Empowerment Weekend, an interdenominational Christian event for high-school age youth (rising high school freshmen – rising college freshmen) will be held on the campus of Catawba College. The cost for the three-day event, which is scheduled for Thursday, July 12 – Saturday, July 14, 2012, is only $50 per person. All activities, lodging in the college’s dormitories, meals, and a commemorative t-shirt are included. 

Last year’s inaugural event was attended by more than 70 youth from 20 different churches.   The theme for this year's event is "The Me I Want to Be – Becoming God’s Best Version of You."  Through a variety of activities, participants will again explore the concept of faith-in-action and how their individual talents and abilities can be put to use right now in service to others.

The high-energy program will feature hands-on community service projects, insightful presentations, small group breakout sessions, skits, sacred and contemporary music, devotions, recreational opportunities, goofy games, and more. The leadership team for CYEW 2012 includes faculty, staff, students, and recent graduates of Catawba College, as well as guest speakers and community leaders. 

The event is sponsored by Catawba College’s Lilly Center for Vocation and Values. Regarding the mission and purpose of the event, Dr. Kenneth Clapp (Chaplain and Senior Vice President at Catawba College) stated, “After coming together during CYEW 2011, each young person attending the event left with a better understanding of how he or she could make a difference by answering Christ’s call to serve others. It is our hope and prayer that this year’s event will again empower young people to step boldly into more active roles as leaders in their churches, schools and communities.” 

Those in need of additional information about CYEW 2011 are encouraged to contact Jay Laurens (Director of Outreach Programs) at (704) 637-4725 or jlaurens@catawba.edu. CYEW leaders hope that youth from churches in the surrounding area will take advantage of this exciting and affordable opportunity and will encourage their friends to participate by talking with them, posting the link (catawba.edu/cyew) on their Facebook pages, or distributing flyers

Interested youth may register individually and indicate their roommate preference or youth groups may register together and receive one free adult admission per 10 youth participants registered. To register and pay by check or credit card, simply go to catawba.edu/cyew. A form must be completed for each youth and adult participant.  All registration forms and payment, by check or credit card, must be received by July 9, 2012.

CYEW 2012 is one of many initiatives of the Lilly Center for Vocation and Values at Catawba College.  The Center is not, as its name seems to imply, a single place. It is rather, a vast array of programs and services aimed at helping students find a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life. The Center was born from the awareness that society today often falsely measures success and happiness based solely upon the acquisition of wealth and status. By providing opportunities for students to explore the employment of their unique gifts and talents in service to others, the Lilly Center helps open the door to a more meaningful life and future.