KNOXVILLE, TN (08/01/2008) -- This July, over 61 Connecticut United Church of Christ youth from churches in Farmington, Naugatuck, Prospect, Windsor, Wolcott, Woodstock, Simsbury and Amistad in Hartford traveled to the National Youth Event at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. The event was held from July 24th to 28th, and featured worship, workshops, speakers, parties, and other fun activities.

Many of the youth and their chaperones traveled with the Rev. Da Vita “Day” McCallister on a Constitution Bus, enduring an 18-hour ride, but finally arriving at the destination with great triumph.

Over 61 youth and chaperones attended the event from the Connecticut Conference, but the event had over 2,800 participants in total. UCC Youth groups from Texas to Hawaii came to show their spirit and support of the role of the youth in the UCC. Many of the churches made banners, and there was a processional march across the stage to show which churches were being represented. As many youth and young adults as there were, there were ample opportunities to meet the other participants from across the country. There was even a contest to obtain a signature from a member of each of the 38 conferences present.

This year’s theme for NYE was “Living the Life.” Each day was jam-packed with gatherings and activities.