3rd YiM Newsletter - March, 30th 2009

Dear attendees of the 3rd Youth in Mission Congress,

the Congress is coming up soon and we have a whole lot of important information for you, that might just answer some of the questions you have! So please read this newsletter carefully!

1.Getting there and parking

This time around the Congress will take place in two separate buildings: Accommodation, meals, and workshops will be in the IGMH (Herzogenriedstr. 50, 68169 Mannheim), like last time. However, the morning and evening worships will take place in the MWS-Hall (7 minutes walking distance; August-Kuhn-Str. 35, 68167 Mannheim), because all of the attendees will be able to find a seat here. That’s why it’s probably best to park on the Messplatz. We are allowed to use it for the time of the Congress, it’s large enough and is located between the two buildings mentioned before. For this reason we would like to ask you to only park there. Please check out the map.
In order for you to get here without any problems, we have posted “YiM” signs all over Mannheim. You also need an emission sticker for the city of Mannheim if you’re arriving by car. In case you don’t have one, you can buy one here:
http://www.tuev-sued.de/car_vehicles/services/emissions_stickers_from_tuev_sued
Please note that NOBODY is allowed to park in front of the MWS-Hall and the IGMH behind the closed-off area! There is a fire department close to the MWS-Hall. Their vehicles must be able to exit at all times! Thanks for your understanding!
Please do not leave any objects of value in your car! Unfortunately we have had some negative experiences with that.

2.Registration

The program will start on time at 8 p.m. on Thursday. You will be able to register from 1 p.m. onward, volunteers from 11 a.m. onward. Please drive directly to the Messplatz, from there you can take your luggage and walk to the IGMH and register (not the MWS-Hall!). In case you’ll be arriving later and the program will already have started you can enter the MWS-Hall without the YiM pass and then take your luggage and walk to the IGMH to get registered afterwards. Registration will be open throughout the program on Thursday night, in case you prefer to register first. We are confident that there will be no problems during registration, in case there should be “traffic jams” anyway, we’d like to thank you for your patience and understanding in advance. Please have your registration confirmation at hand when you come to register.

3.Meals

There will be no meals on Thursday! Please make sure you have enough food with you for that day. For all those that are participating in the community service projects or are helping with the setting up, there will be a supper on Thursday. In general we had to simplify the meals a little, so you will get lunch bags with food in the morning and in the evening. Due to hygiene regulations we have also decided to use disposable dishes. You also have the possibility to get a water bottle in the morning and evening (FRI, SAT, SUN) in the cafeteria or gym (depending on where you registered to eat) in return for an empty one.

4.Accommodation

As usual, all those that have opted for accommodation in the IGMH, will have their sleeping quarters in the classrooms. Two parts of the building will be used for the sleeping quarters, one for the men, one for the women. If you have registered with your youth group you will be put together in one room.  When you register at the Congress, you will be able to choose between a room of “early” sleepers and “late” sleepers. Please remember that we want to respect and be considerate of each other and therefore be quiet in and near the “early” sleepers area (read the signs!). So please don’t make any noise or turn on any lights there after 10:30 p.m. (take a flashlight with you). Please do not sleep outside of the classrooms, since that is not allowed due to security reasons. Thanks for your understanding!

5.Special activities

YiM-Bible
On Sunday  afternoon, we want to have a special event concerning our Congress motto "Follow the Bible".  To show that the Bible is still very up-to-date and relevant for us, we want to work together and copy the entire Bible by hand!  Every person will copy just one page, and we will end up with a unique and wonderful YiM-Bible.  To still add unto this, we will establish a new record!!  We just need to finish our copy of the Bible in less than 57 minutes, which we should easily be able to accomplish if everyone participates.  While the German participants will copy the Bible in German, we will have special passages prepared for you so you can take part in the event and contribute to this special Bible.  So please remember to bring a pen (best is a ballpoint pen) that works (!) and will not let you down while writing and a Bible in your language!

After we have stopped the time and broken the record, we will have the opportunity to design our hand-written page individually, with crayons and other material that you can think of.  Don't forget to bring them along!

The bound Bible will be exhibited in the museum of the German Bible Association for a few weeks, and also be part of a Bible Expo in Sylt (Bibelausstellung Sylt) that wants to inspire others to read the Word of God.  Additionally, the Bible can be asked for to have in the churches or youth groups of Germany (ask for it if you want it too :) to be part of a special program.
Networking:
On Sunday afternoon there will be the possibility for all english-speaking attendants to get together and start thinking and exchanging ides about how you can get involved in mission work in your home country. Please pay attention to the notice at the information booth – there you will find all necessary information concerning the networking platform.
Group picture
After lunch on Sabbath we want to take a group picture again. We want to encourage you to wear a YiM t-shirt (in case you have one) from one of the first two congresses or buy one at the info booth for 10 € right after you register. That would make for a great picture! Thanks a lot!

6.Live stream

We repeatedly get asked about the program for the live stream. You can find it here: http://www.yimc.de/YiM---YiMC-2009---Livestream-Programm_1271.html
It’s in German, but should be easy to understand anyway! Please pass the link on to your friends and family who want to see the YiM. Thanks!

7.Helpers

We still need volunteers in the following areas. If you would like to help out please write an e-mail to astrid.mueller (at) adventisten.de
parking        3 (need to arrive early!)
workshops (filming)    4
food distribution    11
Thank you for your willingness to help out and play a part in this congress!

8.What has happened?

We would love to report on what’s happened in your youth group or your personal life since the last YiM! If you want to share that with us, please write to: programm (at) youthinmission.info

9.Music

We have already had some people sign up for the strings ensemble and the men’s choir. But we would like to tell all the string players and singing men out there that there’s no need to hide! If you love music and want to actively participate in the program here at YiM, then we need you! Please write to:  musik (at) youthinmission.info

10.Bring with you:

  • flashlight
  • rain jacket for walking from the IMGH to the MWS-Hall and back
  • sleeping pad
  • sleeping bag
  • supper for Thursday
  • old lanyards
  • old YiM t-shirts
  • pillow to sit on, for the balcony in the MWS-Hall (wooden seats)
  • pen and crayons for the YiM-Bible
  • NO dishes!!
  • water bottle, in case you need more than two a day

That’s the end of a long newsletter.

We’re looking forward to seeing you in Mannheim!

May God bless you till then…

Your Youth in Mission Team