Online Winter Celebration, our Virginia Synod youth event for 9th through 12th graders occurred last weekend. This year’s event may have looked a lot different as participants gathered online using Zoom, but the joy of Winter Celebration still stayed true to the staple youth event. This year over 50 youth and adult participants engaged with and witnessed the theme “J.O.Y. In Your World” based on this year’s theme verse Luke 5:27-35.
This year’s planning group was made up by Jake Barger (Epiphany, Richmond), Rachel Bohannon (St. Michael, Virginia Beach), Emma Boyden (St. Paul, Jerome), Grayson Campbell (Muhlenberg, Harrisonburg), Ethan Ferguson (Faith, Suffolk), and Carolyn Kiser (Our Saviour, Warrenton). The group worked with Pastor Dave Delaney, Pastor Wanda Childs the event chaplain, as well as Pastor Stephen Bohannon and Nicole Smith who both served as advisors to the group.
During the weekend, youth and adults enjoyed the planning group skits, which continued the theme’s riff on the Advent and Christmas song “Joy to the World”. Setting the stage the planning group acted out in pre-recorded skits as a group of friends who have gathered online for a Christmas feast. During the feast, some complicated feelings and relationships rise up, but the group is able to work out their differences following the theme’s acronym J.O.Y. (for Jesus, Others, Yourself).
In addition to serving as an advisor to the planning group and crafting this year’s set pieces, Pastor Stephen Bohannon returned, donning an apron and chef hat instead of his typical trench coat and fedora as the Roving Reporter. This year’s Roving Reporter held interviews in his kitchen, with guests played by Pastor Meredith Williams including Julia Child, the Swedish Chef, and Remy the Rat who each took turns teaching a new recipe and sharing their culinary perspective.
Following large group presentations, the participants at Winter Celebration got the chance to break off into small groups, arraigned by grade using Zoom break out rooms. In these small groups, participants were able to reflect on the weekend’s focus on relationships with faith and relate it back to their own faith life through conversation, games, and crafts. One popular craft had participants create their dream Christmas dinner, illustrating what it would look and taste like. As a small group, participants later expanded upon their ideal Christmas meals to include who they would want to sit at their table with them. During this sharing, they took stock of who is most important to them, as well as who they may have neglected to include at the table, as well as those they wish could come. These activities reinforced for participants that each invited guest is a reflection of God’s image, to welcome and love.
With laughter, worship, good conversation and deepened faith Winter Celebration 2021 was a fantastic weekend for all. Participants and adult leaders alike all had the opportunity to experience and learn the JOY of being together in a new way. If you had youth, adult leaders, or a pastor present during this year’s Winter Celebration, ask them about their weekend! They’re sure to have many stories to share about their time spent together.
