From July 26th to July 30th, the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) co-hosted the National Youth Event at Walt Disney World in Florida. The quadrennial conference gathered 4,000 young leaders to convene on broader issues of faith, leadership, service and social justice. This year’s event elevated a call to “believe” in the power of youth leadership by thinking deeply about Hebrews 11:1. As a follow-up to 2012’s focus of “our divine imagination,” participants were asked, “do we have the confidence and faith to believe?”
"Faith is the confidence that what we believe will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." Hebrews 11:1
Among the myriad of inspirational speakers was the first-ever viewing of #ButterfliesEffect Change, a moving, climate-minded video from Green Chalice, UCC, and Blessed Tomorrow. With the help of Creation Justice Ministry, Interfaith Power and Light, and The Climate Listening Project, narrator and Emmy Award winning Pastor, J.Kwest navigated the wonderment of God’s creation, asking the audience to consider human impacts on our shared home. West powerfully challenged young people to believe in the capacity each individual possesses to restore His creation to its full potential by transitioning from a mentality of self to a spirit of collective prosperity. With many inspirational moments, this engrossing video is perhaps best summarized by its repeated chorus, “I am more than me –I am we.”
Check out the full video below and visit Green Chalice to learn more about what you can do to transition your climate leadership from “me” to “we.”
