methodist musings

that was the message header in an email i sent to tic long, president of events for youth specialties, mark oestricher, president of youth specialties, and michelle fockler, vp of events at ys…

i was working on keywording some images in a photo management program i use when a thought struck me. i figured i’ll never know the answer if i don’t ask, so off went the email. feel free to read the message below:

Hi Tic-

I have been a youth worker for the past four years, serving in a local church before taking a position at the conference level within the United Methodist Church. I love youth and I love teaching, but there’s another fire that burns inside me…a fire for creativity and art.

I have apprenticed with a 35 year veteran of photography for the past 4.5 years and just two years ago opened my own photography company called Still Life Photography. My website (http://www.StillLife-Photo.com) tells my philosophy behind photography; that it’s an art form designed to show heart and soul of a person…to catch the passion with which they live their lives, even in the smallest details. I’ve developed a small curriculum that I’ve used locally with churches called “The World Through God’s Eyes” which asks individuals to consider the world from God’s perspective, and through a camera lens. I’ve also developed a couple sermons using my philosophy of looking into the soul of people rather than the shell.

All this to say, I’ve been struggling lately with how my three passions fit together…photography, youth, and ministry. I’ve been to the NYWC the past three years and brought my wife for the first time last year. We’ve already booked our hotels for Nashville this year although we don’t know if the church will have enough to send us.

I’ve looked at some volunteer opportunities the past couple years to bring down the cost for my attendance, and as I sat here sorting through some images I took last night an idea struck me. Is there a way that I can serve YS and my youth ministry peers (and perhaps earn a discount for registration) by offering to photograph the conference? Bands, speakers, general sessions, set-up, comedians, breakout sessions, candids of folks having fun? All 3 events, just the event I was planning on attending (Nashville)?

I’m hoping you or Marko may have some insights, ideas, and interest in my thoughts. I look forward to hearing your input.

think i’ll hear anything back??