Submitted by Rev. Alan Dicken
Religion and politics – two things you are not supposed to talk about at dinner. And yet, it is always important to know how your faith informs the rest of your life. Deciding to follow Jesus means following Christ in the classroom, at work, and in the community. Now more than ever, it is important to know how our faith shapes policies made in this country and around the world.
It is in that spirit, that the Ohio CYF embarks every two years on a “UN Seminar” trip. For a week, high schoolers from around the state travel to New York City and Washington D.C. to explore how faith and politics impact one another.
While in the Big Apple, students tour the United Nations Building (technically leaving U.S. soil briefly)! We meet with representatives of Church World Service and the Nation Council of Churches. In our nation’s capital, students have a chance to meet with congressional representatives, and sometimes even one of the senators of the Buckeye State. The UN Seminar participants have the opportunity to visit the Holocaust Museum, the National Museum of African American History, and many other fascinating places of learning.
While there are many opportunities for education and chances to interact with decision makers in our country, there are also a lot of other experiences to be had on the UN Seminar! Throughout the week, participants participate in a service project, see a play, go to the top of the Empire State Building, take in a Broadway musical, worship in some of our nation’s important Disciples churches, and go sightseeing all over!
Traditionally, this has been an experience reserved for Ohio high schoolers, but we would like to take this opportunity to invite anyone and everyone from high schools all over the country who would like to join us on this once in a lifetime trip! We’ll be going from Feb. 22- March 2, 2019 and all are welcome to apply!