ABOUT TRIENNIUM
Triennium Myths, Urban Legends and Other Such Fancies …
The “Secret Tunnels Everywhere” Myth
NOT TRUE
There are underground passages between the Union building and Stewart Center. That’s it! We promise!
The “Wild Party, Orgy, A Bunch of Girls Got Pregnant” Myth
NOT TRUE
Well… there are parties that are planned and sponsored by the PYT design team. They can be loud, rowdy, energetic and yes, WILD! There is (GASP) dancing and (SHOCKING) loud music. Orgies? HELLO! No. Ick. For reasons like the Bible, Jesus, the fact that it’s 197 degrees outside and … we’re Presbyterian!
We promise that all clothing is mandatory. All sex is forbidden, frowned upon, and there are one million and one reminders of this for all Triennium youth and adults. Seriously, the Triennium community is very safe, extremely organized, bursting with adult supervision. We have strict policies and a long history of safety and faithfulness.
The “Agenda” Myth
Version 1: Triennium is just a way for the liberal church to get its message out to young people.
Version 2: The Triennium just cares about political issues.
Version 3: The Triennium is shallow.
Version 4: All they do at the Triennium is sing about “Me and Jesus”
NOT TRUE
The Triennium is new and different every three years. It is planned by a volunteer team composed of youth and adults from across the country from all kinds of Presbyterian churches who work hard to faithfully plan for young people – not conservative young people or liberal young people – just young people. If there is an agenda it is this: that young people hear that being Presbyterian is a powerful way, a relevant way and a fun way to live as a disciple of Christ in this world.
The design team calls preachers who have a knack for connecting with young people. Because we don’t pre-screen the sermons of our preachers we are sometimes surprised, challenged, moved, offended or overjoyed. The musicians will be singing and encouraging music that helps youth (remember our agenda is the youth) connect deeply with God. The leadership who plan and implement the Triennium work from a theological grid of daily scriptures, questions and illustrations, that were carefully and thoughtfully discerned after HOURS (no exaggeration) of studying the Word, praying, talking, pondering and then studying some more.