So, what is the Presbyterian Youth Triennium?

Triennium.

PYT.

Presbyterian Youth Triennium.

not PCA but PCUSA. there is a difference : )

I just can't seem to stop talking about it. In Presbyterian culture, people pretty much know the general idea of it...but explaining it to everyone else is rather difficult( especially people at my Baptist college). I am going to attempt to explain it here.

PYT happens every 3 years. I went as a youth participant in 2007 and fell in love with it. I found out there was a planning team. I looked at the website almost every day for the next 6 or 7 months. The application finally came up on the website. I applied, forgot that I applied, and then found out I was accepted and remembered I had applied. Being on the planning team has been one of the best experiences ever. (that's a whole other blog though for a different day)

Triennium is not meant for new Christians. It is pretty much assumed that the people going to it are mature in their faith. I mean, it's bad to make assumptions, but this is usually the case. People apply to go through their Presbytery. A Presbytery is a group of Presbyterian Churches in one area, it makes it easier to keep track of churches that way. This year, churches can take groups of people there.

The event usually has around 5,000 Presbyterian high school aged people from all over the USA and Canada. It is so amazing to be around this many Presbyterians at once. It is held at Purdue University in Indiana. One of the highlights of this is staying in a dorm.

The theme for this time is For Such a Time as This. From the book of Esther.

I've been talking about this event all year at school basically. Actually, it's what I relate various things to.

- people bring buttons or pins to trade with people from other areas of the country..ours this year from Oregon and Vancouver WA say Peace, Love and Salmon.

- girls go to dress to impress for the Presbyterian boys they may find there. Although, as most people know....this is not the main reason one should go to this

- people wait in line for worship for at least 45 minutes. It's THAT good!

- There are going to be over 300 construction projects going on at Purdue this summer. We're hoping someone doesn't fall in a ditch

- one time a girl didn't like the event, so she called her rich grandpa to come pick her up on his private jet

I'm on the community life team. It has to do with making people feel welcome, and dealing with dorm related things, and runaway girls that go into Frat Houses. However, I'm bringing a whistle..you know...to break up those awkward couples that hang out in corners at night : )