Summer Youth Institute

Do you like to ask big questions of faith?  Do you ever wonder if God is a good God, why do bad things happen? Do you wonder how we are called to respond to the world around us in regard to medical ethics, eco-stewardship, poverty — you name it? Are you eager to find authentic community where you are in a safe space to ask questions about which you’ve always wondered? If you are finishing 11th or 12th grade and answered yes to these questions or know some one who fits this description, check out the Summer Youth Institute at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Since 1997, the Summer Youth Institute has drawn rising high school seniors from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco, Calif., Canby, Minn. to Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico and everywhere in between. These scholars come from small parishes and big steeple churches, big cities and small towns, U.S. territories and Indian Nations, representing all walks of life and theological perspectives within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  They come to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to ask deep questions about life and faith, to think critically about these issues and to explore from the pulpit and the pews.

Forming and reforming as individuals in community through two weeks of study, worship, mission and ultimate Frisbee, the scholars engage one another, faculty, seminarians and SYI alums. Because of the Institute’s emphasis on intentional Christian community, SYI provides a safe space to grow in faith while wrestling with real world questions where canned answered aren’t accepted.

In a recent newsletter, one SYI alum described the value of SYI in her life. “SYI is so unique in that it truly equips us for serious theological reflection, and while many college students can’t cope with questioning their faith, SYI alums know that it is just part of growing and maturing in our relationship with God. Our ability to reflect is a gift, and I’m so thankful that SYI helped me to discover that.” —Laura

“SYI impacts the church in many ways.  Some of the immediate impacts are with us: how we involve ourselves with the church, how we change as persons, how we make career choices or develop an interest in serving the church. The long-term impact is that you get a group of leaders that aren’t robots but people who have thought about it and have very deep beliefs. From that you can build a lot for the church.”  —Gustavo

Would you like a cherry on top? No problem — SYI is free. Thanks to generous grants from the Lilly Endowment Inc. and friends of the seminary, each student receives a full scholarship that covers room, board and tuition. Whether you are thinking about seminary down the road or not, if you like to ask big questions of faith and would get a kick out of studying with seminary faculty, apply today.  The Summer Youth Institute runs July 5–19, 2008.