Welcome Patrick Scriven as Associate Director of
Connectional Ministries for Youth and Youth Adults

Dear Friends,

My name is Patrick Scriven and I am excited to be joining our conference staff August as the Associate Director of Connectional Ministries with Youth and Young Adults! I was asked to share a few things about myself by way of introduction and I hope these words will suffice until I have the opportunity to meet you in person.

After receiving a Master's degree from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, Massachusetts, I served for five years as the Director of Youth Ministries and Communications at First UMC in Vancouver, Washington. On staff there I had the opportunity to grow as a youth worker and in my knowledge of United Methodism and our Annual Conference. During that time, I served on the Conference Council on Youth Ministries, as Vancouver District Youth Coordinator, and I helped dean and staff camps at Lazy F and Ocean Park (I was also fortunate to have opportunities to visit Indianola and Twinlow).

While we were in Vancouver, my wife Cara and I welcomed a new member into our family.  Autumn is turning four next week and constantly reminds us of our blessings in life. Cara began to pursue a Masters of Divinity while we were in Vancouver and with the support of our congregation we moved to Denver in 2005 so she could complete the educational requirements she began at the Northwest House of Theological Studies. We have missed the PNW since we left and have been counting down the days to our return!

In last month's issue of the United Methodist Interpreter there was a focus on ministries with young people 'outside the box.' One of those profiled ministries was LIFEspot, a drop-in teen center and concert venue in Colorado.  For the past two years, I have been serving as the director there helping this outreach ministry of St. Andrew UMC realize it's potential. It's been an exciting opportunity to develop skills outside of the typical youth director job description. It also was humbling to encounter youth outside the church and to listen to their voices as expressed in conversation, art and music.

I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with local churches as a resource as we strive to offer our best to our young people. I believe one of the great strengths of United Methodism is our connection and I am passionate about finding creative ways to strengthen the relationships between churches on local, district, and conference levels. We can learn a lot from each other's successes and even from our missteps. I hope that we will also be able to challenge each other to listen, discover, and invest in new models of ministry that will help us to be more effective in our shared efforts.

Working with young people has always been a thrill for me.  I believe there is a lot they can offer that we would be wise to absorb. When soon to be college freshman Micah Coleman Campbell called us to remember Christ's command to love our neighbor amidst our disagreement at Annual Conference this year, I thought, "right on!" And then I started to think about some of the conversations I have had over the years at Annual Conference and how they were equally at fault in light of Jesus' simple yet difficult words. Too many of us have learned to conveniently read our Bibles and young people like Micah remind us of our compromises. When we invest in young people and their voices, we are really helping ourselves!

I recognize that my position on the conference staff is a result of our shared commitment to the youth and young adults who call the Pacific Northwest their home. In many local churches throughout our annual conference there are youth workers, committed volunteers, and many supportive friends and parents who regularly champion the needs of young people. I am looking forward to working with these people and with excellent leaders like Micah to ensure that we are doing what we can to provide not only for young people, but to hear their distinct voice as well.

Peace,

Patrick Scriven