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HISTORY OF THE UNITED CHURCH'S YOUNG PEOPLE'S FELLOWSHIP

[The information presented here was complied by Dr. Norma Smellie in a study of the U.C.Y.P.A prepared in 1990]

U.C.Y.P.A. - ITS GROWTH AND CONTRIBUTION

Two years following the union of the former Congregational and Presbyterian Churches in Jamaica, the newly formed United Church gave birth to a vibrant youth organization - the United Church Young People's Association (U.C.Y.P.A). Over the years this dynamic youth arm has made a significant contribution to the life and witness of the United Church. Writing on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of union, our first General Secretary, the Rev. Clement Thomas, paid the following tribute to U.C.Y.P.A. - "The growth of the Young Peoples' Association and their greater involvement in the work of the Church is a rising star of hope".(10th Anniversary Brochure, December, 1975 p.3)

EARLY BEGINNINGS

The idea of U.C.Y.P.A. came out of the 1967 Youth Camp Conference held at Clarendon College under the Directorship of the Rev. Earl Thames. That year the first Executive body was elected, with Rev. Maitland Evans (then a final year student at UTCWI) as President. "Foundational years", best describes the first few years of U.C.Y.P.A. Successive Executive Bodies along with their Youth Director Miss Norma Holmes (now Smellie) travelled extensively throughout the island, starting, resuscitating and strengthening our Youth Fellowships. What joy and excitement and fulfillment we experienced!

GROWTH

As the years progressed, U.C.Y.P.A. experienced tremendous growth and new and exciting programmes were brought on stream, including Day of Fellowship, Training Conference, Sports Day and Bible Quiz. Personal Witnessing was a major feature of the over-all programme.

Youth Camp Conferences must receive special mention here. The number of youngsters attending camps increased as the years progressed. The camps provided a unique atmosphere and opportunity for youngsters to be presented with the claims of Christ. Many have responded positively to Christ and have offered themselves for full-time service in the Ministry of the Church. It is therefore not surprising that many of out younger Ministers currently serving our United Church can and do testify that it was at camp that they made the commitment to serve Christ fully through His Church.

VISION

As the work grew U.C.Y.P.A. sought to en-flesh its many visions. Allow me to briefly mention four of these;

Purchase of Mini-bus
In 1974 U.C.Y.P.A. saw the need to span the geographical barriers which were setbacks to growth and expansion of the work. Under the presidency of Gordon Evans who spearheaded numerous fundraising efforts including Suppers, Concerts and T-Shirt sales, the purchase of a mini-bus became a reality in 1976.
Conference Centre
Many may not know (or may have forgotten) that the vision to establish a Conference Centre was that of U.C.Y.P.A. from as far back as 1970. The idea was again forcefully put to Synod in 1977 when Henley Bernard in his presidential report wrote, "The overwhelming response at the 1976 Youth Camp Conference coupled with the poor conditions of the physical plant at Clarendon College has led once again to U.C.Y.P.A.'s commitment to establishing a Conference Centre" (Synod Papers 1977 p.20) In the following year's report he called for the cooperation of every auxiliary body of the Church in this venture. As a consequence fundraising efforts gained momentum. In 1990, we give God thanks that the completion of this Centre is fast becoming a reality.
Birth of U.C.Y.A.A.M.
It was at a National Leadership Training Conference held at Kelly Lawson Centre that the need for a Young Adults Movement was seen. Some of the then leaders observed that many young adults were moving out of U.C.Y.P.A. and were being lost to the Church. U.C.Y.A.A.M. was formed to meet the specific needs of the age group 21 - 39 years - to harness and mobilize the gifts and talents of thus age group for effective ministry and mission in the Church. In the early years, the movement was nurtured by the Rev. Maitland Evans.
Outreach to Grand Cayman
It must be noted here that in 1978 Miss Verna Cassells succeeded Miss Norma Holmes as Youth Director and she began another interesting chapter in the history of U.C.Y.P.A. Both Youth Directors made several efforts to establish U.C.Y.P.A. in Grand Cayman, but with little success. We rejoice that in 1990, the doors are gradually opening up and that the level of cooperation between the young people in Jamaica and in Grand Cayman is commendable. In fact the "Camp Boy" at teens Camp 1989 was one of our youngsters from Grand Cayman - Peter Quinland. The P.D.C.C. and Youth Assistant in Grand Cayman, Mrs. Emeline Ebanks and Mr. Vernon Harris, respectively must be commended on their splendid efforts in seeking to truly write out young people.

THANK YOU & GOD BLESS