Wow! The whirlwind of my first eight months in this new ministry has been quite a ride. I am thrilled to now have a steady, extremely capable co-worker in Susan Hay. It creates the opportunity to become more pro-active in developing new aspects of our ministry. How should my time be spent, when serving as the National Director for both UM Camp/Retreat Ministry and Conference Youth Ministries? Where should Susan and I invest ourselves, in order to make a lasting difference on your behalf? What do you need most? These have been the key questions, and your responses have helped tremendously in shaping priorities. Below is a partial list of what we are working on, in addition to the day-to-day tasks of office operations, etc. I am interested in your reflections and feedback.

a. Develop new resources for us; not much is being developed beyond the summer curriculum in cooperation with the National Council of Churches.

• Project: Now completing a publishing proposal for a book on faith formation for youth through the turning points they face in life, which is written for camp/retreat leaders, adult workers with youth, pastors, etc. Plan to co-author the book.

• Project: Major study on the Millennial generation with resources to follow that will help us begin to understand and meet the unique personal and spiritual needs of this generation while they are still children and youth, then on into adulthood.

b. Continue to prepare for "the Gift" in the year 2000.

• Project: Facilitate the cooperative partnership between the General Board of Discipleship and National Camp/Retreat Committee and the work sessions of the joint task force focusing specifically on this endeavor.
• Project: Provide updates about the gift and answers to questions.

c. Provide high quality training, spiritual renewal, and fellowship events on a national level.

• Project: National Camp/Retreat Leader's Gathering: New Mexico 1997 and St. Simon's 1999.
• Project: Forums '98 and 2000: National UM Training for Adult Workers with Youth.
• Project: Youth '99: International Gathering of Youth.
• Project: Promote upcoming training opportunities sponsored by a wide variety of groups.
• Project: Partner with Drew Seminary to develop advanced educational opportunities geared especially for full-time camp/retreat leaders.
• Project: Work toward a "professional ministry certification" for full-time leaders in C & R ministry.

d. Find ways to keep us connected and informed.

• Project: Camp Memo newsletter.
• Project: UM Camp/Retreat e-mail network and support UM Youth e-mail network.
• Project: Web pages for Camp/Retreat Ministry and Youth Ministry.
• Project: Write articles in major publications to lift up the importance of C&R and Youth Ministries.
• Project: Maintain membership and involvement with national camp/retreat organizations and keep leaders informed of cutting edge developments in the field.
• Project: Develop new support systems for conference staff persons related to C&R and Youth Ministry, since they typically have no peers or specific training within their own conferences geared directly to their unique responsibilities.

e. Respond to specific requests.

• Project: Conference consultations on C&R ministry and youth ministry.
• Less time on dean's training, which can be led by others and more time on projects that need specialized input and expertise.
• Project: Provide guidance and reflections during times of crisis or difficulty, when leaders from across the country call.
• Project: Set up ways to help promote open positions at UM camp/retreat settings or conference staff positions, so solid leaders can be found. Pass along resumés sent by those seeking positions.