European Methodist Youth Council, "EMYC"
introduction pack
The EMYC has its origin in the coming together in 1970 of the Youth Committee
of the Council of the United Methodist Central Conferences of Europe and representatives
of the Methodist Youth Departments of Great Britain and Ireland to form the
Methodist Joint Commission for European Youth Work. On 1st January 1975, this
name was changed to the "European Methodist Youth Council". Subsequently,
the work of the Council was widened by the inclusion of a Children's Commission.
The EMYC brings together those responsible for youth and children's work and
representatives of the young people of the Methodist Conferences in Europe.
It has a relationship with and reports to the European Methodist Council.
Members share their faith, common Methodist traditions, European cultures and
a commitment to work among children and young people.
They recognize that they belong to the world wide church and that God ministers
to and challenges them through society, culture, language and the experience
of people of every nation.
They expect to discover Christ afresh in and through each other's experience
and learn from one another within the fellowship of the Council and its activities.
EMYC aims to:
- make links between those who work with children and young people in Methodist
Churches in Europe
- talk about matters of interest
- work out how to bring young people together
- represent the youth and children's work of the Methodist Church in Europe
- plan and evaluate action when required on appropriate issues
Representatives
Representatives come from the following areas and Conferences:
- Methodist Church in Great Britain
- Central Conference of Germany
- Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe (Algeria, Austria, Bulgaria,
Czech and Slowakian Republics, France, Hungary, Macedonia, Poland, Serbia
and Montenegro, Ukraine)
- Methodist Church in Ireland
- Central Conference of Northern Europe (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia,
Lithuania, Norway, Russia, Sweden)
- Portugal and Italy also send representatives
There must be at least one youth representative (under 27 years old) from each
area, and, preferably, one from each country.
Officers
The President of EMYC is Bishop Rüdiger Minor, Russia
The Vice-President is Dr. Judit Lakatos, Hungary
The Secretary is Jürgen Blum, Germany
The Treasurer is Daniel Hecker, Germany
The Commissions
In order to get through the large range of issues facing the Council, the representatives
divide into Commissions. These are groups of around 7-12 people who are then able
to discuss in detail specific areas of work. They then decide how best the Council
can address these issues.
Commission 1
Is concerned with all aspects of work with children, whether on Sundays or during
the week, including uniformed organizations. It provides the opportunity for people
to meet together, share resources and ideas and plans ways in which work with
children can be supported. Every three years, the Commission organizes a "Swop
Shop" to help children's workers from local churches share their experiences
and learn new skills. The next Swop Shop will be in 2002.
Commission 2
looks at all aspects of evangelization. It looks at the cultural settings and
current uses of the Scriptures within the variety of models of evangelism. It
is concerned with the spirituality of young people and the ways in which they
can be involved in expressing their own spirituality (eg JAT exchanges).
Commission 3
looks at how the Churches in Europe can respond to different situations facing
our society today (eg racism, unem- ployment, fair trade etc.) The Commission
sets up workshops, seminars and campaigns on these issues and enables people to
discuss their own situation and to learn from others. It initiates the European
Peace Prayer and discusses any resolutions that representatives have sent to the
Council.
Commission 4
plans and evaluates youth exchanges. It promotes "Christian IN Action"
(CINA) projects. It publicizes other opportunities available to young people (eg
bands, choirs and visits to Taize).
Commission 5
is responsible for updating the guidelines on how to host a Council meeting in
the light of the evaluation of the previous year. It proposes the order of the
rotation around the Areas. It also suggests the venue for the three yearly EMYC
Youth-Meeting and evaluates the event. The Commission discusses the training available
to youth workers. It will enable them to come together and to share skills and
ideas within a training situation.
The Executive
The Executive is made up of the Officers, the Chairpersons of the five Commissions,
some area representatives and two Youth Representatives. It is responsible for
the programme of the Council, the accounts and budget, the nomination of Officers
and Chairpersons, official contacts with other organisations and taking action
on behalf of the Council.
Meetings of the Council
The areas take it in turn to act as host for the Council. The host area arranges
the venue and the programme, covers the cost of accommodation and arranges for
translation and secretarial support.
Languages
The two main Ianguages used are English and German. All official papers are produced
in these two languages.
Youth Representatives
The Youth Representatives have an important role in the work of the Council. It
is their job to make sure that the views of young people are clearly represented
and that the Council continues to face and eet the needs of young people. If possible,
it is best that young people attend for more than one year.
The Plenary
About half the work of the Council is done in the Plenary sessions. In these sessions
the Council:
- considers the reports of the Commissions and approves their minutes
- discusses and votes on action to be taken by EMYC
- elects the 0fficers and Chairpersons
- adopts the accounts and the budget
European Methodist Youth Meeting
This Conference for young people, organised by EMYC, is held every three years.
Countries take it in turn to act as host. The next EMYC-Meeting will be in 2004
in Ireland.
Glossary
| EMYC |
European Methodist Youth Council |
| EMYC-Meeting |
European Methodist Youth Council's Youth Meeting |
| EMC |
European Methodist Council |
| UMC/ EMK |
United Methodist Church |
| WMC |
World Methodist Council |
| EYCE |
Ecumenical Youth Council of Europe |
| WCC |
World Council of Churches |
| MAYC |
Methodist Association of Youth Clubs |
| ICYC |
International Christian Youth Conference |
| JPM |
Young People in Mission |
| JAT |
Jugend Aktions Tage |
| CINA |
Christian IN Action Projects |
| CEC |
Conference of European Churches |
| PCCE |
Pastoral Care and Christian Education |
