The Leadership Team of Christmas Institute gather at Seattle: Beacon UMC for training in preparation for their annual retreat happening on December 26-30, 2014. Photo by the Rev. David V. Valera.


CI-PNW is searching for “Real Love”
By Faith Sairez

NEWS_CI2014_heartChristmas Institute (CI) is part of a 93-years-long tradition that brings Filipino United Methodist Youth and Young Adults in fellowship from December 26 to 30 every year. What started as a gathering of 62 students and church workers in Sibul Springs, San Miguel (Bulacan), Philippines in 1921, has now expanded throughout the Philippines and the United States. With the support of the Commission on Ethnic Ministries, parents, and leaders, this 2014 will mark the 16th year of CI in the Pacific Northwest.

CI Pacific Northwest now serves more than 50 campers from Washington State as well as Canada. CI-PNW prides itself in nurturing and producing future pastors and leaders within the church and the community. During this five-day journey, campers are encouraged to engage in conversation with one another, to think about their own faiths and to begin their journeys toward accepting Jesus Christ in their lives.

Preparations for CI 2014 are happening as we speak and the Leadership Team could not be any more excited. This year’s theme of “Real Love” is aimed to inspire youth to seek the love of Jesus Christ and to spread God’s real love to each other and to the world. Focusing on 1 John 4:7-12, 18-21, we will explore what it means to Re:Define, Re:Baptize, and Re:Live God’s real love. The prefix ‘re-’ means to return to a previous state with a fresh insight. For example, on Day 2 we will Re:Baptize what it means to love. Just like we are baptized and undergo a transformation, the language we use to talk about God also has to undergo a transformation.

For more info on Christmas Institute 2014, visit www.ci-pnw.org.


Faith Sairez serves as director of Christmas Institute and is a member of Seattle: Beacon UMC.


COVER_Channels77_700px

CLICK THE ABOVE IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD CHANNELS 77!

Leave a Reply