Midweek Musing- 5/20/26

Hi! This week’s musing is a little different as Dad (Clay) is not writing it. Instead, you get something to read from his oldest daughter Brittany.

As some of you may know, I am one of the Co-Directors for Montreat Middle School Conference (MSC) this summer. If you are not familiar with MSC, don’t worry. I am going to fill you in!

Montreat puts on tons of conferences throughout the year, and one of them is their middle school conference.  It is held one week in July for about 500 middle school students ranging from rising 6^th graders to rising 9^th graders in Maryville, TN. For some of these students it is the first time they have been to a sleep-away event; for some it’s their 4^th MSC. Some of them have grown up Presbyterian, while others are being introduced to the PCUSA for the very first time. During the conference everyone goes to keynote where we hear scripture, do silly dances (called Energizers) and sing to start our day. We worship with 500+ people where we break bread, collect an offering, and hear the word of the Lord. Students attend Small Group daily to reflect and think about what God is saying to them. These students have to be vulnerable and brave at times, because they have no clue who is going to be in their Small Group. Small Groups are intentionally designed so that adults and students from the same church/back home group are in different groups. Students also attend recreation activities (Rec), where they can be silly and just be. As someone who hated Rec when I was a kid, it is funny that now I am the Co-Director for Rec, but Rec teaches the kids (and adults) that life and fun can be done in different ways. Some kids need to run around and sing and dance, make new friends and just be kids, while others watch and do a craft and take the time to absorb all the things talked about throughout the day. And I think people often forget that Rec is another form of worship for these kids. Yes, I know, I hated having to go for 30 minutes and try things, but looking back at that time, it was and is special.

I truly can’t describe the feeling of watching 500 middle schoolers just be themselves, without worrying about what other people think, being able to voice their thoughts and beliefs, asking their questions and finding friends that will be there forever. (If you don’t believe me, ask Sydney how she met her best friend Melissa!)

Middle School Conference is all of this and more.

It’s a place for faith, for questions, finding who you are, and learning that who you are is enough because God created you in God’s image.

I went to every middle school conference I could; I even did Work Crew as a high schooler. For me MSC was life changing. It grounded me when I needed it the most. I truly could not think of a better conference for young people who are exploring their faith. This summer specifically we are exploring the theme “Crafted by God.” To be honest it’s a scary thought—that God created you and me and all those students and that they are perfect even with their imperfections. How do we, as adults, a planning team, co-directors, small group leaders, etc. explain that to a middle schooler? I don’t have all the answers, but I think what we are doing—showing kids their worth no matter who they are or where they come from—is a good start. Part of the questions we have been asking ourselves through this process is how were we created by God to put on this conference this year. One verse that I keep coming back to is Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” I have to remind myself that God crafted me to be the person I am today. That I was given the skills and the knowledge to do what is best for these students. That my purpose was created for me by God so I can do God’s work.

Sometimes I think we, and especially middle schoolers, spend so much time questioning if we are enough that we forget God already created us with purpose. Not because we are perfect, but because we are uniquely crafted to love, serve, lead, and care for others in ways no one else can. Experiencing MSC myself as a student, watching MSC students in past summers, as well as anticipating all the things this year’s middle schoolers will show, remind me that God’s handiwork looks different in every person. Some lead loudly, some quietly support others, some ask hard questions, and some simply show kindness when someone needs it most. And all of those things matter. So, as I finish this, I have an ask and a wonder.

I ask you to pray for the conference. For leaders, chaperones, and especially the youth. Your prayers do make a difference.

Second, I wonder. I wonder how God has crafted you to do God’s handiwork. And are you allowing yourself to live into the person God created you to be?

It's not just a question for middle schoolers; it is also a question for each of us to consider daily.