Sunday, July 29, 2007

And Friends Are Friends Forever. . .la la la la la


Way back in the day, us Christian Reformed youth used to attend something called the Young Calvinist Convention. It was a 4 day gathering of several thousand high school students from all over the US and Canada. It took place at a university somewhere in North America. Tim went to 3~~Rhode Island, Arizona, and Washington DC, and I went to 2~~Washington DC and Kentucky. Funny story about both of us in DC but more on that later.

These conventions, while spiritually enriching, were a HUGE hook-up fest. NOT in the way the kids mean it today, just lots of opportunity to meet cute boys/girls who loved Jesus too. We used to have this thing called a Hug Line which was exactly was it was. All the girls would form a huge single file line that snaked around campus and the guys would come thru and hug the girls. It was great fun! Each week would end with what was called Koinonia. All 3000 of us would be in a sweaty gym for hours singing classic worship tunes and weepy songs like "Friends" and "Pray for Me" (What is it with Michael W Smith and CHEESY songs?!) There was an open mic where people would share their stories and then there was even more tears. We would then run around all night long saying good-bye to all our new friends~particularly those of the opposite sex.

Sadly, our church's student ministry does not participate in convention. Hopefully, by the time our kiddos are in high school, we will convince the Brickhouse powers that be that Convention is a must for all teens. Until then, join us in song "Packing up the dreams God planted. . ."



7 comments:

Carol said...

We always said the Canadians gave the best hugs! We also sang "The Tree Song" and Ken Medema was there two years in a row to lead worship. I went to three - Marquette, MI; could have been RI or somewhere... I just can't remember; and the last one was in Seattle, WA. GOOD TIMES, GOOD MEMORIES, GREAT SUMMER BOYFRIENDS!

i am not said...

I am so fricken mad at you right now. I hate that song and it is now on continual loop in my head. UGH!

I went to Colorado and I did not participate in the hug lines - never liked that stuff:) Oh and I didn't go to Koinea, either. Apparently I spent the entire week in my room isolated from everyone.

Do they still have convention?

i am not said...

seriously - if i could come over there and strangle you, I would.

Mommy Brain said...

Jana's comment is too funny! Well, all I have to ask is what brought this on and what are Tim and Caroline doing?

Jen said...

Why, Jana, I'm *shocked* that you weren't a joiner! hee hee

Sorry for planting that song in your head. It is really annoying.

Tim was trying to light the grill and starting waving the lighter around singing "Every Rose Has It's Thorn". Somehow that turned into "Friends" which turned into the pic you see. And then it became a blog post.

Lisa @ Heaven Sent said...

Funny pic! But I want to hear more about you both being in DC at the same time...

Josh Leo said...

I agree about wanting to hear more about DC... and I think it is funny that Tim and Caroline match the kitchen...