Convention 101
(aka Youth Leader Handbook)
Welcome to Convention for Dummies. This resource is your youth sponsor handbook for Phoenix 2013. It
contains information you will need as a youth sponsor to make Phoenix 2013 a great experience for your
youth group. As you read through this, if questions arise, first look on our website for answers,
www.MennoniteUSA.org/convention , and, second, send one of the convention planning staff an e-mail.
Names and e-mails are listed beside our staff photo. Our convention planning staff will be happy to answer
your questions.
If you have attended previous conventions, you will notice several changes. If you are a first time attendee,
these will be exciting aspects of your convention experience. Instead of giving each youth and sponsor a
program book, we are using “z”-cards. The “z”-card will contain the block schedule for youth activities as
well as the seminar schedule. The card is designed to fit into a pocket. For additional schedule information,
monitors will be placed around the convention center. Monitor content will include worship speakers and
themes, special events and announcements. The Phoenix Convention Center has electronic signs outside each
room. The signs will list the seminar or event that is scheduled next in that room. We are planning to have a
mobile phone app ready for convention that will include worship information and the convention schedule.
Watch our website and social media channels for more information on how to download that app. In
addition, the Phoenix Flyer, our daily newssheet, will list special events, speakers and announcements each
day.
This handbook is divided into three sections: pre-convention, convention week and post-convention. The
pre-convention section will allow your group to come ready to experience all that Phoenix 2013 has to offer.
Immigration and citizenship in God’s kingdom will be central to the convention week. Your group will
benefit from spending time prior to convention thinking about these issues. Each individual and community
has different understandings and intersections with immigration, but we are all citizens of God’s kingdom.
What does it mean to be a citizen of God’s kingdom? Through the worship services, learning experiences,
seminars and special events, your group will come away from Phoenix with a greater understanding of how to
answer this question.
May God open your hearts and minds to all that God has in store for you as you experience Phoenix 2013.
Mennonite Church USA convention planning team
Team members from left to right:
Scott Hartman – scotth@mennoniteusa.org
Glen Guyton – gleng@mennoniteusa.org
Hannah Heinzekehr –
hannahh@mennoniteusa.org
Carol Epp – carole@mennoniteusa.org
Table of Contents
1. Pre-convention
a. Convention Purpose Statement
b. Phoenix 2013 Theme
c. Resources/Information

Website/Social Media

Immigration

Bible Studies

Servant Projects

Offerings

Values-Based Leadership
Program
d. Registration Items

Medical Release Forms

Meals

Add-ons

Final Payments
e. Arrival Items

Ground Transportation

Hotel Check-In

Registration Pick Up
2. Convention Week
a. General Information

CD/DVD Sales

Curfew

Exhibit Hall

First Aid

Interpretation Services

Prayer Team/Convention Youth
Pastor

Recreation
b. Maps

Downtown Phoenix (including
hotels)

Convention Center
c. Schedules

Youth Block Schedule

Adult Block Schedule

Young Adult Programming

Junior Youth Block Schedule

Children’s Programming and
Instructions

Detailed Daily Schedule
d. Seminars
e. Learning Experiences
f. Worship Services

Titles/Speakers

Shared Service
g. Special Events

Urban Youth Gathering

Evening Activities

Receptions

Wet ‘n’ Wild

Blood Drive

Prayer Walk
3. Post-Convention

Evaluations

Bible Study

Immigration Resources
Mennonite Church USA Convention
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the biennial Mennonite Church USA Convention is to
empower the church to achieve its vision, purpose and mission.
Key Objectives
1. To gather representatives of the whole church for worship, fellowship, learning, discernment,
and decision making
2. To build Mennonite Church USA vision, identity and capacity to be a missional church
3. To share the biblical story through an Anabaptist lens
4. To provide resources to help all participants carry out God’s mission
5. To serve as a witness to the host community
6. To create an opportunity for all parts of Mennonite Church USA to gather regardless of race,
ethnicity, or socioeconomic status
Key Components
The adult gathering will:
1. Encourage congregations to call, empower and bless their delegates to participate in the churchwide process of discernment and ministry
2. Provide a forum for the members of Mennonite Church USA to hear from and give counsel to
Mennonite Church USA agencies and ministries
3. Create an environment for the delegate assembly to function effectively and efficiently on behalf
of the church
4. Welcome and interact with representatives of sister churches
5. Provide opportunities for discipleship and spiritual growth by nurturing a strong Mennonite
identity through an understanding of what it means to live out our faith as Mennonite Anabaptists
The junior youth and youth gatherings will:
1. Invite youth to make and strengthen their commitments to Christ
2. Nurture a strong Mennonite identity through an understanding of what it means to live out our
faith as Mennonite Anabaptists
Young adult gatherings will:
1. Provide opportunities for young adults to gather together and resource one another
2. Provide opportunities for Mennonite Church USA leaders to learn from and hear the voices of
young adults that will help the church in its mission.
3. Provide opportunities for young adults to learn about the ministry opportunities and governance
structures in Mennonite Church USA
The children’s gathering will:
Foster safe and age-appropriate activities that encourage spiritual and relational growth while
allowing parents to fully engage in the Mennonite Church USA convention
March 2012
Citizens of God’s Kingdom: Healed in Hope
Written by Ervin Stutzman, Executive Director
We are praying that our convention in Phoenix will be a time of renewal and recommitment to God’s reign in
the world.
This week we will have an opportunity to grasp a new vision of the depth and breadth of God’s kingdom,
God’s preferred future for the whole created order. We will come to comprehend the profound implications
of the claim that “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.”
We will hear the call to live as citizens of God’s kingdom, pledging our allegiance to God above all other
claims to our loyalty, including the nation in which we live.
We will be invited to acknowledge the ways that we have yielded to the temptations of this present world and
to turn away from the destructive effect of our misplaced allegiances.
We will hear assurances of God’s healing grace, love and forgiveness as we seek to align ourselves with God’s
restorative purposes in the world.
We will be sent into the world, empowered by God’s Spirit to be signs and instruments of God’s salvation,
justice and peace.
Scriptures
Psalm 24:1
Romans 5:1-5
Philippians 3:20-21
Ephesians 2:14-22
Resources/Information
Web site and social media – As you prepare for Phoenix, you will find all the information you need on our
web site: www.MennoniteUSA.org/convention. New resources and information are being added every week.
The block schedule, seminar list, and special events are listed on the site. Blogs are added regularly, and you
can subscribe to make sure you receive the latest updates via e-mail. We also regularly highlight information
on our Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/MCUSA.convention ). Be sure to “Like” this page so you don’t
miss out on the latest news! You can also follow us on Twitter: @MennCon.
We invite your group to show your Mennonite spirit by taking pictures with Stella, the Mennonite dove. You
can download your own dove at our website and take pictures with Stella wherever you go. Each Wednesday,
upload your favorite snapshot to Instagram, and tag it with #Mennogram and #Phoenix13. Each Thursday,
we’ll select the photo with the most likes to highlight on our convention website. Photos might also make an
appearance during a pre-worship video at convention!
During the convention week
The fun continues when you get to convention. Be sure to bring Stella to opening worship on Monday night,
and if you have a smart phone or laptop computer with you, share pictures, statuses and tweets about your
experience at #Phoenix13. We want to hear from you.
Immigration – Mennonite Church USA has assembled a number of resources on immigration. They are
available on our website and include our denominational statement on immigration, information on the
DREAMer Fund (one of the projects our convention offerings will support), and options for Sunday School
classes and congregations to use for group studies.
Bible studies – Pre-convention Bible studies for youth groups will help your group work with the theme and
prepare to travel to Phoenix. The Bible studies were written for us by Justin Heinzekehr, Ph.D. candidate at
Claremont (Calif.) School of Theology. See Appendix A for the Bible studies.
Servant Projects – If you signed up for servant projects during your group registration process, you will
receive a confirmation e-mail in early June with information about your assignment. The confirmation e-mail
will tell you which day you are assigned to serve, the agency hosting you, and any special clothing
requirements.
When you arrive at convention, you will need to check-in at the Servant Project Office, located in room
221B. There you will receive information about any changes that may have occurred since you received your
confirmation e-mail and where to go for servant project orientation. If your group has the convention lunch
plan, you will be given special meal tickets so your group can eat in the dining area starting at 11:15 a.m.
If your servant project is on Monday, check in at the Servant Project Office by 8:30 a.m. on Monday
morning and be in your orientation room by 9:05 a.m.
If you are scheduled to serve Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, check in at the Servant Project
Office no later than the day before you are scheduled to serve. On the day you are to do your servant project,
be in your orientation room by 12:05 p.m.
Servant project orientations are an important time to set the tone for your time of service. There you will also
meet your group leader for the day. Your group leader will get you on the right bus, to the right agency, and
connected with your local hosts when you arrive at your service location. The servant leader will also make
sure you get back to the convention center on time.
If you are a sponsor whose children will be part of the children’s activities, you may need to find alternative
child care for lunch on the day of your servant project. The children’s programming takes a break from noon
to 1 p.m., and your servant project orientation will overlap with this break. Please be sure that you identify
someone to pick up and care for your children during this time, and let the children’s convention staff know
about this change.
Offerings – We will have two formal opportunities to practice stewardship and generosity (we’re sure you
can find others too if you look carefully). Throughout the week, we will collect two special offerings to
support ministries of Mennonite Church USA.
One opportunity is to support the DREAMer Fund. This fund provides help with application fees for
undocumented young adults as they apply for legal relief through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
(DACA). This fund supports young adults who came to the United States as children, who have grown up
here and for whom this place is home, even though they are not formally citizens of the United States.
It costs $300 to help one DREAMer meet all the requirements. We hope that you will partner with us to raise
$15,000 (or more) to help at least 50 young Mennonites realize their dreams.
Donations can be given via credit card prior to convention.
The second offering will be used as seed money to help produce Shine: Living in God’s Light, the new children’s
Sunday school curriculum produced by MennoMedia and Brethren Press for Mennonite Church USA,
Mennonite Church Canada, and Church of the Brethren congregations.
As a historic peace church centered on Jesus Christ, we feel it is important to have our own, distinctly
Anabaptist, Sunday school materials. However, producing such materials is expensive. Our publishers do not
have the reserve funds needed to hire the writers, project managers and illustrators up front.
Shine: Living in God’s Light is the new curriculum that will succeed Gather ’Round: Hearing and Sharing God’s Good
News in the fall of 2014. MennoMedia needs to raise $400,000 over four years for its share of development
costs to produce this quality, Bible-story based curriculum.
Please help us to bless the next generation of children with Anabaptist resources that will nurture their faith
and call them to follow Jesus’ way by coming to Phoenix prepared to give generously. A donation of $200
pays an illustrator to draw a picture depicting one of the Bible stories.
Donations can be given via credit card prior to convention.
Values Based Leadership Program – One of the many learning experiences will focus on leadership
development for high school students. This learning track is being developed from the model of the Values
Based Leadership Program (VBLP) (See http://www.vblp.org/) and designed by its steering committee. In
order to do the required planning, we will accept the first 200 students who are nominated by their pastors
and have indicated willingness to participate. Please send the name of your nominee(s) after contacting the
person(s), the name/address of your congregation as well as e-mail contact for the nominee(s) to Beth
Hunsberger, BethH@MennoniteUSA.org
Registration Items
Medical Release Forms – Medical release forms must be submitted for anyone under the age of 18
attending Phoenix 2013. Forms are due May 17, 2013. Forms can be downloaded from the website. Send to:
Mennonite Church USA, Attn: Medical Release Forms, 3145 Benham Ave., Suite 1, Elkhart, IN 46517.
Meals – Meals can be added to your registration until June 1. Log in to your registration account and add
meals for each member of your group.
Add-ons – T-shirts, a trip to Wet ‘n’ Wild water park on Wednesday night and summary DVDs can be added
until June 1. Add these items by logging in to your registration account.
Final Payments – Make final payments by June 7. You can check your balance by logging in to your
registration account. For credit card payments, access your account. Send checks to: Mennonite Church USA,
Attn: Registrar, 3145 Benham Ave., Suite 1, Elkhart, IN 46517.
Arrival Items
Ground Transportation – Several ground transportations options are available for those flying into/out of
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
 Super Shuttle – This is a shared-ride service that provides door-to-door transportation. You will
be picked up at the airport and dropped off at your hotel. Vans can take up to 7 people per trip.
Reservations may be made directly on their website. Enter the discount code 3NH28 to receive
$4 off your round trip reservation. More detailed information is available on the Phoenix 2013
website.
 Light Rail – Take the FREE PHX Airport Shuttle or FREE PHX Sky Train to or from the 44th
Street/Washington METRO light rail stop. The shuttle is the silver and black bus with electronic
display that reads: METRO light rail & Airport Terminals. The free Airport shuttle travels to
Terminals 2 and 3 and mirrors the light rail schedule, running seven days per week. The free Sky
Train travels to Terminal 4 and runs 24 hours a day. Once at the Metro light rail stop (driver will
announce stop) proceed to the station in the middle of the road. Just follow the crowd. Purchase
tickets from the vending machine. A one-way ticket will cost $2.00 (cash or credit card). Board
the Metro Light Rail that is going to 19th Avenue and Montebello (this is the right side of the
tracks).
Hours of Operation
Sunday – Thursday and Holidays: 4:40 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Friday: 4:40 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Saturday: 5:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Frequency
Trains arrive every 12 to 20 minutes depending on day and time. Once on the train, follow these
directions, depending on the destination.
DIRECTIONS TO SHERATON (455 North Third Street)
1. De-board at the Washington and Third Street Station.
2. Turn right and proceed to 3rd Street.
3. Turn left onto North 3rd Street. You will be walking north.
4. Walk past the convention center, continue past Herberger Theatre before crossing Van
Buren Street.
5. Sheraton is on the left.
DIRECTIONS TO HYATT REGENCY (122 North Second Street)
There are two Light Rail Stations within easy walking distance of the Hyatt Regency:
 The Washington Street and Central Avenue Stop

Washington Street and 3rd Street Stop
DIRECTIONS TO HYATT REGENCY from Washington Street/Central Avenue Stop:
1. De-board at the Washington Street/Central Avenue Stop.
2. Head north (direction the light rail is going) on North Central Avenue toward East Adams
Street.
3. Turn right onto East Adams Street.
4. Turn left onto North 2nd Street. You will be walking north.
5. Hyatt Regency is on the left.
DIRECTIONS TO HYATT REGENCY from Washington Street/3rd Street Stop:
1. De-board at the Washington Street/Third Street Stop.
2. Turn left and proceed to North 2nd Street.
3. Turn right onto North 2nd Street. You will be walking north.
4. Hyatt Regency is on the left.
DIRECTIONS TO RENAISSANCE (50 East Adams)
1.
De-board at the Washington Street/Central Avenue Station.
2.
Walk north (direction the light rail is going) on North Central Avenue toward East Adams
Street.
3.
Turn right onto East Adams Street.
4.
Renaissance is on the left.
DIRECTIONS TO HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS (620 North 6th Street)
1.
De-board at the Van Buren and Central Avenue Station.
2.
Walk north (direction light rail is going) on North Central Avenue toward East Fillmore
Street.
3.
Turn right onto East Fillmore Street.
4.
Turn left onto North 6th Street.
5.
Holiday Inn Express is on the right.
If you are flying into/out of the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport you can use Super Shuttle as well. Follow the
same instructions as above to make your reservation and receive the discount.
Hotel Check-in – On Monday, July 1, Community Life volunteers will be in the lobby of each hotel to help
with your arrival. Hotels have been asked to pre-key rooms for youth groups. This will speed up the check-in
process and ensure that your rooms are in the same area. If you didn’t indicate your congregation’s name on
your reservation, this might not happen. Prior to June 13, you can update your reservations to include your
congregation’s name by logging in to your account.
Hotel phone numbers
Holiday Inn Express
Hyatt Regency
Renaissance
Sheraton
602-452-2020
602-252-1234
602-333-0000
602-262-2500
Registration Pick-Up – Convention registration will be open Monday, July 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
To avoid congestion in the registration area, send a couple sponsors (not your entire youth group) to pick up
your material. Find the registration area on the lower level of the convention center just outside Halls 2 and 3.
Registration materials will be under your congregation’s name.
Convention Week
General Information
CD/DVD Sales – We will have audio and video available for all worship speakers and audio for select
seminars. Digital media will be available for purchase immediately following each worship service and during
the day. You won’t have to wait weeks to get a copy of an inspiring worship message or intriguing seminar. A
variety of formats will be available. You can even get your files via e-mail to play on your iDevice or mp3
player. Order forms will be available for download prior to the convention and paper forms will be available
onsite. Check the convention website for details.
Curfew – Youths 15 years and younger: 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Youths 16 and 17 years of age: midnight to 5 a.m.
Exhibit Hall – Visit the exhibits of Mennonite Church USA agencies, schools and other Mennonite-related
organizations in ExHall 1. In addition to college/university activities, interactive exhibits will include
Mennonite Mission Network’s cooking show, Mennonite Central Committee’s photo booth, and quilting at
Congo Cloth Connection. Plus MennoMedia will hold an author event. Meet friends at the central plaza. A
list of exhibitors and floor plan will be located on the display board inside the entrance to the Hall.
Hours: Monday, 9 to 11 p.m.
Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Wednesday, 11 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
First Aid – For a medical emergency, summon help by phoning House Security at 602-262-7271 or 85 on the
house phone. Report the emergency, giving location if possible and other details. House Security will call 911.
Stay with the injured/ill person until House Security arrives. House Security will coordinate the arrival of the
Phoenix Fire Department and will also guide emergency medical staff to the location of the injured person.
The Phoenix Convention Center is equipped with a sufficient number of first aid stations. Event and House
Security Guards are trained and equipped as first responders to medical emergencies and can provide minor
first aid. House Security Guards are certified in administering the Automatic External Defibrillator.
Interpretation Services – Phoenix 2013 planners want to make information as accessible as is logistically
possible and have arranged for volunteers to provide Spanish and Spoken-Sign (ASL) interpretation services.
English-Spanish interpretation will be provided during youth and adult worship services and delegate sessions
and ASL interpretation and/or English based signed transliteration will be available upon request. If you
would like interpretation services for an activity or need interpretation equipment, stop by the Information
Booth to ask for the interpretation coordinator. (Please make requests for interpretation in advance. If you
did not indicate the need for English-Spanish interpretation when you registered, we will do our best to
accommodate last-minute requests, but we cannot guarantee that volunteers will be available at any one time.)
Prayer Team/Convention Pastor – Prayer, both up-front and behind-the-scenes, is a vital part of our life
together this week. For the ministry of the prayer team:
 Prayer team members are actively engaged in prayer during delegate and worship sessions.
 Prayer team members are available to pray with you, for anointing or counseling following worship
services or at other times.

Prayer stations are set up throughout the convention center. These stations include paper and pencils
for you to write down your prayer requests and drop them in a covered basket. Members of the
prayer team take two prayer walks daily, stopping at each prayer station to receive and pray through
your requests. All requests are held in confidence.
If you need a private space to pray or meet with a prayer team member, Room 223 is available from 8:00 a.m.
to 10:30 p.m. Like Christ said in Matthew 6:6, “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you
have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will
reward you openly.”
Kent Miller will serve as youth pastor to participants, with primary efforts designed to help and assist
Sponsors and Youth Pastors in the event that counsel, prayer and/or difficult decisions need to be made
during the week of convention. Kent will be in regular communication with the Convention Prayer Team
Coordinators (Femi Fatunmbi and Maribeth Troyer) to pass along items for prayer and to periodically join
with them in moments of prayer.
Recreation – Giant Checkers, Cornhole, and Gaga Ball are new to the Recreation Hall this year. There are
also volleyball, basketball, Ping-Pong, four square, Giant Jenga, soccer, badminton, table games, and an area
for younger children. Tuesday evening from 9-11 p.m., Bluffton University will host a Life-sized Dutch Blitz
tournament. For a complete listing of activities and specific times of events, go to the Recreation Info table
(in the Recreation Hall).
• Due to a limited number of basketball and volleyball courts, each youth group will be allowed to
reserve only one hour of court time for the week. To sign up, stop by the Recreation Info table.
• When you check out a ball, Ping-Pong paddle or other equipment, be prepared to leave an item as
“ransom” until you return the equipment (for example, cell phone, ID, watch, meal ticket).
• We will hold lost and found items at the Info table for the day. At closing each night, we will take all
items to Lost and Found at the Information Booth.
Hours: Monday, 9 to 11 p.m.
Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Thursday, 12 noon to 11 p.m.
Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: lower level, ExHall 2–3
Maps –
Here is a map of the area around the Phoenix Convention Center.
Here is a layout of the Phoenix Convention Center.
Schedules
See Appendix B for youth block schedule or visit our website.
See Appendix C for adult block schedule or visit our website.
Young adults have several events planned specifically for them. Here are seminars specifically geared toward
young adults:
Ready, Set, Go: Getting your finances right – the first time
Beryl Jantzi
This seminar is for young adults and those who care about and minister to them. Young adults often
make 12 common financial mistakes when stepping out on their own. We will review these and discuss
ways to avoid getting into financial trouble early in our careers. Churchwide Priority Connection: Stewardship
Tuesday, 1:30 – 2:30, 126B
The “M” Word
Matthew Krabill, Jamie Lynn Ross, David Stutzman
The word mission stirs up all kinds of images, both positive and negative. Opinions on mission can vary
between viewing it as integral to the life of the church to an old-school notion for another age. No matter
what we associate with the “M” word, any discussion quickly gets at the heart of what we understand the
church to be all about in our world today. Be ready for an interactive panel discussion. Churchwide Priority
Connection: Holistic Witness
Thursday, 1:30 – 2:30, 122A
A special conversation has been planned for young adults:
The Future of the Church: A Conversation for Young Adults
Young adults have a unique perspective on church, and the Executive Board wants to hear from you.
Join Kent Miller, denominational minister for youth and young adults, Ervin Stutzman, executive director
of Mennonite Church USA, and Dick Thomas, current moderator of Mennonite Church USA, for a
conversation led by young adults about the future of the church. Bring your ideas for topics you’d like to
discuss, and we’ll form small groups. We’ll be using the Open Spaces method, which means that the
conversation will be shaped by those who attend, and members of the Executive Board will primarily be
listening in and gaining insights as young adults discuss their future vision for Mennonite Church USA.
We hope to see you there.
Thursday, 9:30 – 11:00, 222BC
Junior youth activities will take place in the Valley of the Sun Ballroom at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown.
Junior youth will meet at the Information Booth each morning at 7:55 a.m. to walk together to the Sheraton.
They will return to the convention center by 9:05 p.m. each evening. See Appendix D for junior youth block
schedule.
Children’s activities will take place in Rooms 225–228.
Hours: 8 a.m.–noon and 1–5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday
Preschool activities will take place in Rooms 231C–232C.
Hours: 8 a.m.–noon and 1–5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday
Infant/toddler care will take place in Rooms 230, 231A and 231B.
Hours: Morning sessions: 8 a.m.–noon, Tuesday through Friday
Afternoon sessions: 1–5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday
Evening sessions: 6:30 p.m.–9:15 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
NO infant/toddler care Wednesday evening. It is an open evening for families to participate in convention
activities.
Seminars
The final seminar list/schedule is included in Appendix D. You may make copies for your group. One
suggestion is to make a copy for each hotel room to share on site. Youth will not receive a program book at
convention with descriptions. The seminar schedule will be printed on the “z” cards.
Learning Experiences
In Phoenix, we will study themes of immigration, peace-building, justice work and anti-racism. That’s why we
have blocked out all of Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning for what we are calling learning
experiences. These sessions, ranging in length from two to four hours, will provide options for youth and
adults to explore these issues through activities like salsa dancing, a film festival, special guest speakers, a
cross-cultural simulation game, and more. See Appendix E for a complete listing of learning experiences.
Conversation Room
The Conversation Room will be included in the schedule of activities. The goal of these sessions (lead by
trained facilitators) is not to convince anyone to take a different position or to come up with final answers,
but rather to practice listening and speaking well. Sessions will be considered a success if at the end
participants feel they listened well to someone with a different perspective or that someone listened well to
them. It is important to remember that the hour and a half together is one very small part of a much longer
process of being church together. The schedule is:
Tuesday
10:30 – 12:00 p.m.
3 – 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday
1 – 2:30 p.m.
3 – 4:30 p.m.
Thursday
10 – 11:30 a.m.
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Friday
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: 222BC
The Church and Climate Change
The Church and Human Sexuality
The Church, Israel and Palestine
The Church and Racism
The Church, Biblical Interpretation and Authority
The Church and Sexual Orientation
The Church and Immigration
Two learning experiences will provide an opportunity for different perspectives in conversation on
immigration:
Holy Conversation: A Dialogue about 21st Century Immigration (led by Jim Perdue)
Civil Dialogue on Immigration (led by John Genette and Clark Olson)
Worship
Monday, July 1
Speaker:
Title:
Text:
Purpose:
Hal Shrader
See the Dream
Psalm 24:1, 6; Rev. 21:1-5
To help us see God’s dream for all of creation.
Tuesday, July 2
Speaker:
Title:
Text:
Purpose:
Isabel Castillo
Here and Now
Matt. 6:9-15; Matt. 25:31-46
To see our lives as part of God’s work in the world
Tuesday, July 2 (See Appendix F for small group suggestion)
Speaker:
Rachel Swartzendruber Miller
Title:
Where’s your ID
Text:
Phil 3:20-21; Phil. 1:27-28; John 18:36
Purpose:
To recognize ourselves as God sees us, as beloved and chosen, not as defined by earthly
identity.
Wednesday, July 3 — Shared Worship*
Speaker:
Ervin Stutzman
Title:
Allegiance
Text:
Ephesians 2:14-22
Purpose:
To be a citizen of God’s Kingdom means to give your full allegiance to Jesus.
Thursday, July 4
Speaker:
Drama/Ingrid de Sanctis
Title:
On the Road
Text:
Phil 1:27-28; Phil 3:20-1; Luke 10: 25-37
Purpose:
To embrace, as disciples in Christ, the journey of healing and transformation.
Friday, July 5
Speaker:
Title:
Text:
Purpose:
Friday, July 5
Speaker:
Title:
Text:
Purpose:
*
Luke Hartman
Be True
Romans 5:1-5 and 8:24-25; James 1:12
To stay faithful to Christ even when faced with troubles and temptations, God will equip
and empower us with the strength we need and hope we long for.
Glen Guyton
Be the Dream
John 20:19-27
To go out with the power of the Holy Spirit to empower us to achieve God’s vision, purpose
and mission.
Shared Worship – On Wednesday two halls will be used for worship, with youth and adults in both halls.
Because Ervin Stutzman will speak for both services, the shared services will begin 30 minutes apart. We
are asking that adults and youth from your church attend together. If your congregation’s name begins
with A thru P, you will attend the 9:00 a.m. service in the Youth Hall (North Ballroom). If your
congregation’s name begins with Q thru Z you will attend the 8:30 a.m. service in the Adult Hall (West
Ballroom). We encourage you to invite adults from your congregation at convention to attend this
worship service with your group.
Special Events
Urban Youth Gathering (for teens and young adults only)
A time of fun, fellowship, powerful spoken word and dynamic ministry through music. Special guests will
bring messages and music tailored to youth and young adults who operate in theologically, racially and
economically diverse urban environments. Celebrate God’s kingdom, network and meet new friends. Guest
speaker John Valenzuela (Coach Val) is a San Antonio native and church planter who began his ministry as a
teen. In 2011, he left the education field after 27 years of teaching and coaching and entered ministry full
time. Currently he serves as men’s pastor at Community Bible Church in San Antonio. Special music: Sean
Slaughter, son of Integrity Music recording artist Alvin Slaughter, has traveled nationally and internationally
for 12 years, bringing his brand of rap music and ministry to today’s youth.
Wednesday, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: 131ABC
Evening Activities – A variety of evening activities have been planned.
Kansas Bible Company
Formed in 2008 at Goshen (Ind.) College, the 11 musicians in this band use trumpets, alto sax, tenor sax, bass
trombone, electric guitars, bass, and percussion to play rock ‘n’ roll, surf and soul. In 2011, they moved to
Nashville, where they have built an intentional community of sorts, all while gaining popularity and touring to
gigs around the country. They’ll help us kick off convention with an hour-long concert Monday evening.
Monday, 10:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Location: North Ballroom
Monkey Butler
Formed in 2007 by a group of friends in Los Angeles, Monkey Butler is now an international organization,
training new students and performing improv comedy shows around the country. Monkey Butler is a part of
Mosaic church, a Christian congregation in Los Angeles that believes that creativity is the natural result of
spirituality. A crew of four Monkey Butler alums will join us on Tuesday evening for a fun-filled evening of
live action, improvisational comedy.
Tuesday, 9:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Location: North Ballroom
No Roosters in the Desert
In this riveting play, based on actual interviews by Anna Ochoa O’Leary, four women trek the desert towards
the American dream. On their way they push the limits of their physical and emotional endurance, as they
establish profound yet fragile connections with each other through the magical storytelling of the youngest of
them, an indigenous woman from Chiapas. Directed by Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) theater
professor Heidi Winters Vogel and starring EMU students.
Wednesday, 9:15 – 10:45 p.m.
Location: West Ballroom
Heavenly Voices
Performed by a multicultural cast, Heavenly Voices shares the stories of Mennonite women of color across the
Mennonite Church in North America, from Alabama to Montana, and Philadelphia to Chicago. These
women’s stories were collected during the Mennonite Women of Color Oral History Project conducted from
2000 to 2006 by Pat Lehman McFarlane, professor of communication at Goshen (Ind.) College, and Linda
Christophel, a school social worker in Michigan. Lehman McFarlane has interwoven these extraordinary
stories of ordinary women, shedding light on God’s faithfulness and work in their lives. Stories include how
the women came to faith, the impact of that faith on their lives and families, and how they have overcome
hardship and hope to be remembered.
Tuesday, 9:15 – 10:45 p.m.
Wednesday, 9:15 – 10:45 p.m.
Thursday, 9:15 – 10:45 p.m.
Location: 129AB
Musical Extravaganza
Join us Wednesday night for an inspirational evening full of eclectic music ranging from gospel to jazz to hip
hop and beyond. Musicians include Mariell Waltner, mezzo-soprano celebrated for her ability to cross musical
genres ranging from opera and jazz to pop and gospel; Jacqui Rozier, a longtime singer and member of Lee
Heights Community Church in Cleveland, Ohio; Cheryl Bear, a First Nations recording artist and speaker
from Vancouver; and Sean Slaughter, a Christian hip-hop artist from Queens, N.Y. Tony Brown of Hesston
(Kan.) College will emcee the evening.
Wednesday, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: West Ballroom
Trash Couture
This July 4, Cyndi Gusler, Eastern Mennonite University’s professor of art from Harrisonburg, Va., directs
the third Trash Fashion Show produced for a Mennonite Church USA Convention! Fantastical lights, heartpumping music and live video accompany this year’s extravaganza of runway fashion like nothing you’ve ever
imagined! Find yourself awed by the flowing streams of blue microfiche crafted into a waterfall evening gown,
amazed by the origami Asian flower garden dress, and impressed by the exquisite designs of your friends and
youth group!
Thursday, 9:15 – 10:45 p.m.
Location: North Ballroom
Hymn Sing
Join us for an extended time of singing together with songs from “Hymnal: A Worship Book.” Vern Rempel,
pastor of First Mennonite Church in Denver, Colo., will lead worship in song.
Friday, 9:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Location: West Ballroom
Morning Activities – Several activities have been planned to help start your day.
Prayer Vigil
Join the Peace and Justice Support Network to pray for justice at the 4th Avenue Jail in Downtown Phoenix.
See the Peace and Justice Support Network booth in the exhibit hall for information.
Tuesday and Thursday
7:00 – 7:30 a.m.
Location: 4th Avenue Jail, 201 South 4th Ave.
Centering Prayer
Join the Peace and Justice Support Network for Centering Prayer at St Mary’s Basilica, across from the
convention center. Begin the day centering your heart and mind on Christ.
See the Peace and Justice Support Network booth in the exhibit hall for information.
Wednesday, July 3 and Friday, July 5
7:00 – 7:30 a.m.
Location: St. Mary’s Basilica, 231 North Third Street
Receptions and Meetings
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Mennonite Historical Society Meetup
Do you work for or volunteer for a Mennonite historical society, museum, archives or library? Are you
interested in getting to know others around the country who care for and curate Mennonite history? If so,
then plan to attend this informal gathering for professionals and volunteers. The meetup will provide a venue
for networking, casual conversation and discovery of common interests.
7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: 126A
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary Alumni and Friends Celebration
Alumni and friends are invited to celebrate our first year with our new name: Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical
Seminary (AMBS). Enjoy an entertaining evening with President Sara Wenger Shenk and others from AMBS.
9:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Room: 131ABC
Eastern Mennonite Seminary Alumni and Friends Gathering
Eastern Mennonite Seminary (EMS) alumni and friends are invited for fellowship and light refreshments with
other alumni. You will have opportunity to visit with seminary faculty and administrators, Eastern Mennonite
University President Loren Swartzendruber, and other friends and members of the EMS family.
9:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Location: 132ABC
Hesston College “Start Here, Go Everywhere” Alumni and Friends Event
“Start” with dessert, “Go” to refreshments, and finish “Everywhere” with hors d’oeuvres in reverse
progressive style! Included will be a good measure of alumni “Views from Everywhere,” along with a college
update.
9:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Location: Exhibit Hall
Meet the Peace and Justice Support Network
Learn about the work of the Peace and Justice Support Network (PJSN). Staff and leadership team members
will share many of the wonderful ways peace and justice is happening across Mennonite Church USA, and
we’ll hear your stories of peace. See the Peace and Justice Support Network booth in the exhibit hall for more
information.
9:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Location: 122A
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
African-American Mennonite Association Gather and Business Session
This will be an evening of exuberant praise and worship, fellowship and an opportunity to give input on the
direction of the African-American Mennonite Association (AAMA) for the upcoming biennium. The AAMA
business session will be conducted during this time, and the AAMA board will give updates and proposed
initiatives.
8:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Location: 123
Mennonite Central Committee Alumni and Friends Gathering
Come if you have served with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), whether for many years or a few
months! Come if you volunteer, pray for or support MCC in other ways, or just want to learn about the
organization. Come for conversation and to hear what MCC is doing in the world in the name of Christ.
8:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Location: 130
Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF) Reception
All healthcare professionals are invited to come and learn about Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF), a
new inter-Mennonite association seeking to nurture the integration of faith and practice and provide
opportunites for dialogue, education, advocacy and service. Spouses and other interested persons also
welcome.
8:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Location: 122A
Mennonite World Conference Reception
Join us for an update on the work of Mennonite World Conference and plans for Assembly 16 in Harrisburg,
Pa.
8:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Location: 126B
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Bethel College Alumni and Friends Gathering
Bethel College alumni and friends are invited to a time of fellowship, including visits with President Perry
White, Dalene White, students, faculty and staff.
9:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Location: 125A
Bluffton University Alumni and Friends Reception
Bluffton University alumni and friends are invited to gather for a time of fellowship and refreshments. You
will have an opportunity to visit with President Harder and other Bluffton faculty and staff.
9:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Location: 126B
Eastern Mennonite University Alumni and Friends Gathering
Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) alumni and friends are invited to gather for a time of fellowship and
light refreshments with other alumni and members of the EMU family. You will also have the opportunity to
visit with President Loren Swartzendruber, faculty and staff.
9:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Location: 127AB
Goshen College Alumni and Friends Reception
Join us for an informal time to reconnect and visit with Goshen College friends, faculty and students.
9:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Location: 132ABC
Mennonite Palestine Israel Network
Come and learn about the Mennonite Palestine Israel Network, a grassroots network working for peace and
justice in Palestine-Israel.
Thursday, 9:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Location: 126A
Special Dinners
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Purposeful Plan Fundraising Dinner
How is God working in Mennonite Church USA? Join Executive Director Ervin Stutzman and Moderator
Richard Thomas for dinner and conversation about the Purposeful Plan and the ongoing ministry of
Mennonite Church USA. Pre-registration required.
Pre-registration required.
5:45 – 7:15 p.m.
Location: 131ABC
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Mennonite Men Dinner
Men are invited to gather for fellowship around the evening meal, followed by music and an inspirational
speaker. Preregistration required.
5:45 – 7:15 p.m.
Location: 131ABC
Mennonite Women Dinner
This is an opportunity for women from across the church to connect, learn about current happenings within
Mennonite Women USA, and hear an inspirational speaker. All women are welcome. Preregistration required.
5:45 – 7:15 p.m.
Location: 132ABC
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Intercultural Relations Gathering of the People
The dinner and time together is for people of color throughout the church to gather together. This year we
are blessed to have Cheryl Bear as our presenter. Cheryl is an ordained minister of the Foursquare Gospel
Church of Canada. She is from the Nadleh Whut’en First Nation (Bear Clan) in the Carrier Nation, located in
northern British Columbia, Canada. She is an international convention speaker and two-time award
nominated recording artist (Shai Award, 2005; Covenant Award, 2006). Cheryl has worked with indigenous
people across Canada, the United States and in more than 20 countries. Preregistration required.
5:45 – 7:15 p.m.
Location: 131ABC
Wet ‘n’ Wild
Cool off, kick back and relax, and enjoy Phoenix’s largest water park with slides, wave pools and more. Preregistration required.
Blood Drive
United Blood Services of Arizona will hold a Blood Drive in the Exhibit Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday,
from 1 to 5 p.m. Each donation helps two or three hospital patients so if we have 100 donors, we can help up
to 300 hospital patients. Donors in Arizona can give blood as young as age 16 if they have signed permission
slips.
Watch our Mennonite Church USA website for a link to sign up to give blood. United Blood Services prefers
that you sign up in advance but will also take walk-ins. Also, on Monday in the registration area you can sign
up to give blood.
Prayer Walk
Friday night, convention will culminate with a two-part event. After worship, we will be commissioned and
sent out on a prayer walk in downtown Phoenix. There will be two route options: one is 1.5 miles long and
another is .5 miles long. Each route will wind past places of hope and suffering in downtown Phoenix, where
you will be called to prayer for this city and for similar sites in your own hometown. The walk will culminate
with a time of prayer together at Civic Space Park in downtown Phoenix. Afterwards, everyone is invited to
return to the convention center for the closing hymn sing. If you are interested in prayerfully walking these
routes during convention, you can check out our interactive maps here.
Post-Convention Items
Evaluations – Evaluations will be done electronically. Friday afternoon a link to the evaluation form will be
e-mailed to all participants. Please complete the form as soon as possible. A link will also be placed on our
website. Your responses will make the next convention even better.
Bible Study – A post-convention Bible study is included in Appendix A. You are encouraged to use this with
your youth group after returning from Phoenix.
Immigration Resources – When questions about immigration arise after you return to your home
community, remember that Mennonite Church USA has assembled a large collection of resources. They are
available on our website.
Appendix A
Phoenix 2012 Bible Studies: Introduction
We offer the following Bible studies to you as tools to prepare your group for the gathering in Phoenix
2013. The theme of convention is “Citizens of God’s Kingdom: Healed in Hope.” Each Bible study uses
one of the convention’s chosen Bible passages to deepen our understanding of this theme. Each week,
there is also a hands-on activity that explores a certain aspect of the theme, as well as a weekly
“challenge” that allows youth to explore these ideas on their own between meetings.
These are meant only as helpful tools, and you need not follow every detail. Some discussions and
activities may work better for some groups than others, so feel free to use portions of these Bible
studies, or mix them together in different ways. Depending on the maturity of your group, the youth
themselves may have ideas that take the theme in a different direction. The goal is to get us started
thinking about the themes that will appear at convention so that we can jump into the experience.
As you prepare for this important event, remember that you are joining youth groups and congregations
across the country, reading the same texts and thinking about the same themes. It’s often easy to
imagine that our churches exist as isolated units, and one of the great things about convention is that it
shows us that we are not alone. In fact, we are connected in a network of relationships that stretches
across the country and around the world. We are all citizens of God’s kingdom!
Thank you for the important role you play in making this convention a significant experience in the
spiritual lives of our youth! As sponsors, you provide crucial support, and we appreciate the investment
of time and energy that you put into this powerful, but intense, week. We trust that the experience will
be rewarding for you as well as for your youth group!
Justin Heinzekehr, Ph.D. student, Claremont School of Theology
Claremont, California, 2013
Phoenix 2012 Bible Study 1: Citizens of Heaven
Preparation:
 Print several copies of Appendix 1: Citizens’ Rights and Responsibilities.
Warm-up:
 What comes to mind when you think of the city of Phoenix? For example: How many miles away
is it from you? What’s the weather like compared to your hometown? What kinds of food might
you eat in Phoenix? Has anyone ever been to Phoenix before? etc.
Some fun facts about Phoenix that might be interesting:
- It’s the 6th most populous city in the U.S., and the most populous capital city, with a
population of about 1.5 million people.
- Phoenix is one of the fastest-growing U.S. cities – in 1950 it ranked only 99th in population.
- Average summer temperatures are some of the hottest of any major U.S. city. It gets over
100 degrees an average of 110 days a year.
- It was founded in the 1860s by a Confederate veteran of the Civil War.
- The area of Phoenix had been settled and irrigated from 700 to 1400 A.D. but was later
abandoned. The name “Phoenix” symbolizes a new city rising from the ruins of an ancient
civilization, like the mythical bird that burns up and is reborn from its ashes.
 What are you most looking forward to about the convention in Phoenix? What kinds of things
do you expect to do/experience at convention this summer?
 When have you had to prepare for something? (a race, a test, a concert, etc.) What kinds of
things did you have to do to get ready for these things? What kind of preparation do you think it
takes to get ready for a church convention?
Bible Study:
Break into small groups and read the texts for this week: Philippians 3:17-21 and Psalm 24:1. Discuss
the following:
 What would it mean to have citizenship in heaven?
 Who are the “enemies of the cross of Christ” in verse 18? What kinds of things are important to
these people?
 What kind of “earthly things” distract us?
 Based on Ephesians 2:11-22, who is eligible for citizenship in heaven?
 According to Paul, how does one prepare for citizenship in heaven (verse 17)? How is this
different from the way people prepare for citizenship in the United States or other countries?
 Who do you know that you would look to as a model for being a good citizen of heaven?
Activity:
Remaining in your small groups, distribute copies of Appendix 1 and read them over. Talk for a few
minutes about what these rights and responsibilities really mean. Explain anything that seems unclear or
confusing.
Read the following Bible passages – have the youth read them out loud.
 John 3:16-17
 Matthew 5:21-26
 Romans 13:1-7
 James 2:1-5
 Galatians 5:22-23
 Matthew 5:43-48
 Ephesians 1:3-14
Based on these passages and on their own ideas, have the youth brainstorm a list of the “rights and
responsibilities” of a citizen of heaven. After it seems like most groups have a decent list, come together
and share your list with the whole group. It may be helpful to create a new list on a large sheet of paper.
Compare this list with the list from the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service). What
things appear on both lists? Are there things on one list that don’t appear on the other? Are there things
on one list that conflict with the other list? If so, how do you decide how to prioritize the two? Are there
times when you choose one over the other, and why?
Weekly Challenge:
Each week, we’ll close the Bible study with a chance for the youth group to pick a “challenge” for the
week – something concrete that they all agree to do in order to prepare for Phoenix. This week, come
up with something that youth could do to relate to suffering and hope. It’s probably best if the idea
comes from youth themselves, but here are some ideas to start you off:
 Go to http://www.800citizen.org/us_citizenship_test/ and complete a sample test for United
States citizenship. This is the test that people who aren’t born in this country must take in order
to become citizens. See how many of the answers you know. Would you pass a citizenship
exam?
 Interview an older member of your congregation and ask them how they have become “good
citizens” of God’s kingdom. What kinds of things do they do to follow the call of Jesus? What are
the most important ways that they keep up their connection to God? What are distractions do
they face in their daily lives?
Closing Prayer:
God, teach us how to become good citizens of your kingdom. Thank you for your acceptance of each of
us even when we make mistakes. Help us to accept others as brothers and sisters in your kingdom, just
as you have invited us to become citizens. Amen.
Phoenix 2012 Bible Study 2: Suffering and Hope
Preparation:
 Bring copies of several different newspapers for the activity (see below), and something to put
on the wall (large piece of paper, posterboard, etc.) so that you can tape newspaper clippings on
it.
Warm-up:
 Review the challenge from last week. Were you able to complete it? Did this practice make you
think about citizenship differently?
 What comes to mind when you think of suffering? Are there people who seem to suffer more
than others?
 How does being a Christian affect the way you deal with suffering?
Bible Study:
Break into small groups and read the text for this week: Romans 5:1-5. Discuss the following:
 What do you know about Paul? Why is he an important character in the Bible?
 What kinds of sufferings did Paul go through in his life? (read 2 Corinthians 11:24-29 if
necessary: Paul was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, hungry and thirsty, homeless, imprisoned,
etc.)
 In light of what you know about Paul, what strikes you about this passage?
 Paul talks a lot about suffering here. What kind of suffering would you “boast” about? What
other kinds of suffering do you see in our world today?
 How does Paul respond to his own suffering? Is this the way that you would react if you were in
Paul’s place?
 Have you grown in any way through experiences of suffering? What character traits have these
experiences helped to develop?
Activity: Suffering and Hope in the Newspaper
Either individually or in groups, have the youth look through newspapers and cut out stories that show
some kind of suffering. As they cut these stories out, have them tape the stories up on a poster board or
a large piece of paper on the wall. After a certain amount of time, or when it looks like the wall is getting
full, take some time to reflect together on the stories that you’ve found. Are there any common
themes? How did it feel to see all these stories – overwhelmed, frightened?
Then, have the youth look through the newspapers a second time, this time looking for stories that
illustrate perseverance or hope. Put these up beside the stories of suffering. Did you find more stories
about suffering or about hope? How are people responding to suffering in a way that brings hope
instead of despair? How might God be asking you to respond? Are there things that you could be
involved in as a youth group or as individuals?
Weekly Challenge:
Here is a list of ideas for this week (but feel free to use others):
 Watch the evening news one day and make a list of the situations and people that seem to be
experiencing suffering. Pray for these people at least once a day for the next three days.
 Look at the description of the prayer walk on the Mennonite Church USA convention website. In
Phoenix, we will be asking people to walk through the city past places of suffering and hope, and
asking them to pray while they pass by. Read over the descriptions of each location on the walk.
Think about places in your own neighborhood that you might walk past if you were taking a
prayer walk in your city. If you have an extra evening, compile these suggestions and take the
group on an actual walk past these places.
 Volunteer one hour this week to help someone in need. This could be with an organization, or
doing yard work for a neighbor or family member.
Closing Prayer:
God, help to open our eyes to places of suffering and hope around us. Help us not to be overwhelmed,
but pour your love into our hearts so that we can respond to hardship with compassion and endurance.
Amen.
Phoenix 2012 Bible Study 3: The Walls that Divide
Preparation:
 For the activity, you’ll need small stickers of at least three different colors and colored
construction paper.
Warm-up:
 Review the challenge from last week. Were you able to complete it? How did this
practice help to prepare you to respond to suffering with hope?
 What kinds of things separate groups of people from one another? How do you know
that you are part of one culture, class, or race and not another?
 Have you ever experienced a time when differences in language or culture made you
feel uncomfortable?
Bible Study:
Break into small groups and read the text for this week: Ephesians 2:11-22. Discuss the
following:
 What two groups is Paul talking about in this passage?
 What does Paul mean when he uses terms like “citizens” and “foreigners”?
 How does Christ change the relationship between these two groups?
 What are some examples of people who are separated today? What are the reasons
that they are separated?
 In verse 14, Paul is talking about a “wall of hostility” as a metaphor, but throughout
history there have been actual walls built to keep certain people out. Can you think of
examples? Why did people feel the need to build these walls? (walls of Jericho, Great
Wall of China, Berlin Wall, Israel-Palestine wall, etc.)
Activity:1
Divide the youth into at least three groups, each of which will represent a unique “culture” (e.g.,
Red culture, Green culture, Blue culture). Give each person a sticker of that color to wear (or
some other way to identify each person as a member of a “culture”).
Assign each group a cultural practice (Invent more if you need more groups.):
 The Red people distribute colorful paper to people they have just met.
 Men of the Green group will not speak to a woman unless she addresses him first.
Women of the Green group will interrupt a man if he is talking and she has something to
say.
 The Blue people cover their mouths with a piece of paper when speaking.
Give each group the reasoning behind their own cultural practice, but not the reasoning behind
any other groups:
 The Red people distribute colorful paper to spread a little joy and happiness into the
world.
 The Green culture is matriarchal (women are in charge). Men will not speak directly to a
woman due to respect for her position in society, and women assume that it is their
place to speak even if a man is currently talking.
 In the Blue culture, to show your teeth is a sign of anger. It is common courtesy in the
Blue culture to hide teeth when speaking to someone.
1
This activity is adapted from an exercise written by the Immigration History Research Center at the
University of Minnesota. http://www.ihrc.umn.edu/educators/pdf/NaciremaExercises.pdf
Let groups mingle with one another and act out their cultural practices. Tell each youth to strike
up as many conversations with people of other cultures as possible within a certain timeframe.
After the time is up, ask the youth how they perceived the other groups. Did they think that the
Red culture was strange? Did they think the Green culture was snobbish or rude? Did they think
that the Blue culture was modest?
Ask youth why they thought the other groups behaved as they did. Try to speculate about the
reasoning behind these practices.
Finally, let the youth tell each other what the actual reasoning was behind their practices. Were
any of the speculations correct? Were your initial impressions accurate? How does knowing the
actual reasons behind a practice change your impression of the other cultures? What do you
think would seem strange about your own culture to someone coming from another country?
Weekly Challenge:
Here is a list of ideas for this week (but feel free to use others):
 Take an hour or two this week to learn about one tradition or practice from another
culture that you didn’t know much about before. Share what you learned with the group
next week.
 Identify five different walls or fences in your neighborhood or city and think about who
built them and why. Is the wall there to create privacy, to keep people from crossing it,
to look nice, etc.?
 Choose a Sunday morning and take the youth group to visit a congregation that
worships in another language or uses a worship style different from your congregation.
Closing Prayer:
God, we thank you for your promise to transform strangers into friends. Help us to reach across
the barriers that divide us. Be with us even when we are afraid or insecure, so that we can follow
you in your work of breaking down walls. Amen.
Phoenix 2012 Bible Study 4: Post-Convention
Debriefing
Take some time to talk about what the experience of convention meant to the youth,
individually and as a group. You may use the following questions as guides, or let the
conversation move wherever there is the most energy.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
What did you learn about yourself during the week of convention?
What did you learn about your youth group?
What did you learn about the wider church?
What experiences are going to stick with you? Are there things that you think you’ll
remember, say, five years from now?
What stories would you tell to communicate your experience in Phoenix?
What surprised you the most about convention?
Who was your favorite speaker, and what was the thing that stuck out the most about
what he/she said?
What was the most challenging thing about the week of convention? How did you grow
because of this experience?
What will you bring back with you from convention, in a spiritual sense?
What new people did you meet at convention?
What was your favorite seminar? What was the topic and why was it important to you?
What was your favorite part of the worship services?
Which of the booths were most interesting to you and why?
If your group went on a service assignment, what did you learn from this experience?
Would there be ways of engaging in similar work in your own town?
What did you learn about the city of Phoenix?
What did you learn about what it means to be a member of Mennonite Church USA?
How would you explain convention to someone who has never gone and is asking you
why they should?
Bible Study
Reread Ephesians 2:11-22.
1. How does your experience at convention change the way you hear this passage?
2. What does “citizenship” mean to you now after your time in Phoenix?
3. How will you become a “dwelling place for God” now that you are back? Is there
anything that you learned from Phoenix that would help you to do this?
4. What different groups within the church need to be reconciled to one another? Are
there ways that you can contribute to this reconciliation?
5. How did you see the peace of Christ at work during convention?
Closing Prayer
God, we thank you for being with us during our trip to Phoenix. We thank you for the opportunity
for worship, fellowship and service with so many other people across the church. Continue to be
close to us as we return to our own congregation and community. Help us support one another
in our quest to live as citizens of God’s kingdom. Amen.
Appendix 1:
List of Citizens’ Rights and Responsibilities
Rights
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Responsibilities
Freedom to express yourself.
Freedom to worship as you wish.
Right to a prompt, fair trial by
jury.
Right to vote in elections for
public officials.
Right to apply for federal
employment requiring U.S.
citizenship.
Right to run for elected office.
Freedom to pursue “life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness.”
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Support and defend the Constitution.
Stay informed of the issues affecting your
community.
Participate in the democratic process.
Respect and obey federal, state, and local
laws.
Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of
others.
Participate in your local community.
Pay income and other taxes honestly, and on
time, to federal, state, and local authorities.
Serve on a jury when called upon.
Defend the country if the need should arise.
Source: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem search for “citizens’ rights”.
Appendix B
Appendix C