Regional Youth Conference (RYC) takes place each spring on the Manchester College campus. Church of the Brethren high school students and their youth group advisors are invited to participate in this weekend event. The weekend consists of worship, small group sharing, educational workshops, recreation, campus tours … all of which lead to personal growth and a great opportunity for fellowship with other Brethren youth.

RYC 2007 will be held Saturday and Sunday,
April 28-29.

Worship is always the highlight of RYC. Our three worship celebrations will center on the Church of the Brethren National Youth theme of “Now, Follow Me,” which is based on Luke 9:23. Through worship, youth will explore this theme as they continue to grow from their experiences at last summer’s National Youth Conference. Youth accepted the invitation to come and see in Colorado … now it’s time to follow Jesus and see where his path will take you.

RYC will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning with a time for getting acquainted with other participants, followed by worship. Workshops will be offered after lunch. It will be a full and fun weekend of learning, worship and fellowship with others from our region.

Seth Hendricks will lead music throughout the weekend. Seth was the composer of the NYC theme song and provided music leadership at NYC. Youth may also choose to participate in late evening vespers and early morning prayer times.

Keynote speaker for RYC 2007 is Walt Wiltschek. Walt is the editor of Messenger, the Church of the Brethren’s monthly magazine. Walt is also a local and district youth advisor in the Illinois/Wisconsin district.  RYC’ers will also know Walt as the emcee of recent RYC Coffeehouses and a workshop leader. His sense of humor will keep us all laughing while he helps to explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

District Youth Cabinets are invited to arrive between 7 and 8 p.m. on Friday evening, April 27 for a leadership development workshop. This will be a great team building event for district youth cabinets! As leaders, you will be able to put your leadership skills into practice by helping with RYC registration, playing "get acquainted" games and leading worship. Please mark your registration form if you plan to arrive on Friday evening to participate in this event.

Workshops will be offered twice on Saturday afternoon. Topics such as service opportunities, being a leader, Bible study, and more will be offered by leadership from our region. 

But wait!  There’s more ... campus tours, informational displays, old and new friends, and much, much more. You won’t want to miss this year’s RYC!

Just the facts

Where? On the Manchester College campus

When? RYC is held April 28-29, 2007 with registration beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday morning in the Physical Education and Recreation Center (PERC), next to the lower Union parking lot. RYC will conclude by 11 a.m. Sunday morning.

What to bring? Please bring a sleeping bag, pillow, towel, change of clothes, personal care items, a second pair of shoes, your Bible and an open heart and mind. You’ll be sleeping on the PERC floor, so please bring something soft to sleep on! Locker rooms with non-private showers will be available.

Who and Why? RYC is a youth conference provided by Manchester College for high school students and their adult advisors who reside in the Illinois/Wisconsin, Michigan, Northern Ohio, Southern Ohio, Northern Indiana and South/Central Indiana districts of the Church of the Brethren. This conference provides an opportunity for youth to socialize and share fellowship with one another, learn about what it means to be Brethren, and to praise God together. Churches are expected to send advisors with their youth. For example, if you send young women to RYC, please send a female chaperone. If you send young men to RYC, please send a male chaperone.  If you send both young women and men to RYC, please send both a female and male chaperone. Please call the RYC office if you have difficulty in finding adults to send with your youth.

How much? Cost of the conference is $50 for youth and $30 for advisors. This cost covers four meals, lodging, snacks, conference activities and registration costs. A late registration fee of $60 for youth and $40 for advisors will be charged for registrations postmarked after April 12.

How to register? Download and print a registration form. Send it, along with your registration fee to:
RYC 2007
Manchester College,
604 E. College Ave.,
North Manchester, IN 46962. 

Return no later than April 12, 2007. Please be sure to read and sign the covenant.  Checks should be made payable to Manchester College.

Contact Information: Call Sandy Bendsen, 260-982-5237 or e-mail skbendsen@manchester.edu.

A partial RYC experience is better than no RYC experience. Please call the RYC office (260-982-5237) for special discounted rates for a partial RYC weekend!

Download a printable .pdf file of all this information.

Photo Album
RYC 2006

Click photos to enlarge