Hello! I'm Jiamei, or Felicia. I'm a full-time Preschool teacher, I enjoy dancing, singing, playing guitar and practicing calligraphy. A sucker for Taylor Swift, Disney and pink things. That kind of sums me up.
While I'm busy talking about Emerge in almost every single of my blog post, some of you might be wondering, WHAT EXACTLY IS EMERGE? Well, this post will explain it all! To begin with, let me teleport you to the beginning of this while Emerge Movement...
This was taken at our Jurong West hall during the Emerge service in 2005, which was 7 years ago. Although the audio of the video is no that clear, but you can see the people cheerleading on stage, this is also known as the Parade Of Schools where the students of various secondary and tertiary people come together as a school or just as a general secondary level to come up with a performance, this was also one of the competition back then! Honestly I have never been to Emerge that long ago because I only joined church in 2008, so all these are just bits and pieces of information the others tell me! Well, the Emerge movement has come this far, last year's Emerge was on the theme 'Feel the heartbeat' on the Emerge weekend. I had my fair share of last year's Emerge because I participated in Your Best Shot last year too. The video was initially just a random cover, but my ZS told us to use it as the Your Best Shot entry, and so we did! However we didn't win.. But anyway, here is our video.
Hahaha, this was quite some time ago, I look different! Anyway, last year's Emerge had a few main competitions such as Centerstage where the participants are suppose to come up with a short skit that last about 10 minutes, Live Jam where the zones can come up with a band and perform to lead praise and worship, and of course Your Best Shot which is the one I participated in both last year and this year is to simply show your talent in a video of about 1 minute and post it up on YouTube! Here are some video of last year's Emerge if you've missed out on the action!
Center Stage.
Your Best Shot
Live Jam
they all look pretty cool right? Well, if you've missed out on last year's performances then don't worry because this year, City Harvest Church will also be having our Emerge 2012! WOOHOO!! (: This year, the Emerge theme is Evolve. We believe that we can change and give back to the society, and that our age does not matter, no matter how young we are, we can still do something the benefits the society. And through the various competitions, some of the participants also get to experience how is it like being wheelchair-bounded while some get to experience how it is like to be visually impaired. Others can also come together and do a project that benefits the society, and hence the iSociety project. Through all these, the main purpose is still to let the youths to know that they are NEVER too young to start making a difference and impact the society, and to also help them to know the importance of Loving God and Loving People as they serve and participate in these competitions.
So this year, the competitions are divided into 4 main segments (I call them segments, if not what else can I call them? Hahaha!) the Body, Soul, Spirit and Salt & Light!
Body
The body refers to the physical body here and that is why under this segment, the competitions are all the sports such as Basketball, Frisbee and Captain's Ball. BUT... WITH A LITTLE TWIST!
First of all, the Basketball game is called the Silent Basketball, which you can tell from the name the participants are not allowed to talk or communicate verbally to their other team members. This is also to let the participants experience how it is like being mute, and to learn to use other form of communication in the basketball game. Quite a challenge eh? I guess it would be very hard to play a basketball game without communicating verbally :/
Secondly, Fuzzy Frisbee is a Frisbee game but the participants would have to wear some goggles on to stimulate the difficulties of a visually impaired. For me, I'm in one of the team for the Fuzzy Frisbee and playing the game is already hard enough, I cannot imagine myself having blurred vision, it's almost like me not wearing my specs! :O
Thirdly, Captain's Ball on Wheels. As the name suggests, the game of Captain's Ball will be played while the team members are wheelchair-bounded! I think this is one of the toughest out of all the competitions that are going on under the body segment. I mean, imagine yourself, trying to control a wheelchair and playing Captain's Ball, this is definitely gonna be tough!
Next, the Socialympic Relay. This is actually quite unique because the team will be assigned one memeber from the JAM's church and the team would have to work together with the people from JAM's church to complete certain tasks. Personally I feel that this will really cultivate a kind of awareness of people who are intellectually disadvantaged in our church :)
And last but not least, Blind Cross Fit. This game would be a paired game as one partner will be fully blinded while the other guides the 'blind' partner throughout the game to complete certain tasks.
Soul
The soul segment generally shows the creativity and the talents of the youths in the church. This is also basically the segment that I am most active in because the competitions are easier for me and more fun, I feel. I am not much of a sports person and neither can I remember too many facts in the bible, so I guess this would be the best segment for me. This segment includes 8 different competition..
Photography. This one is separated into 2 smaller categories which is the iPhonegraphy (or just any mobile phone) and photography where the people really use their DSLR or any other camera to capture the moment. The photos must also be around some social issues such as smoking or gambling. I almost wanted to join this, but I guess I didn't have the time so I didn't :/
Art. The name already suggests that this competition will be about artwork, and yes it is! The participants are suppose to come up with a 2D or 3D artwork that is about the theme 'Evolve'. This is really for those abstract minded people who are sooo.. creative!
Poster design. The name says it all. The design of the poster are suppose to be around the theme os social issues, just like the photography. And honestly, I've seen some really nice poster designs that are being published on the Emerge's facebook page. You have not joined the page? YOU SHOULD! Click on the link now!
Fashion design. This is kind of a cool competition, I seldom hear of fashion design competition and there is one right here at CHC's Emerge! Again, the theme of the design should be 'Evolve'. There will also be a special runway on the Emerge weekend for the finalists to showcase their design on their model! This would be SO COOL! (:
Video Challenge. This is basically to create a short video with the theme 'Evolve' in mind. I am really excited to view the videos that are created on the Emerge weekend. Personally I know a few friends who are really pro at making videos and I guess that this competition would be a very fierce one because of all the pros in the midst of us!
Your Best Shot! As I've said just now, it is a competition that allows the participants to showcase their special talent such as imitating a certain actor, or singing, or dancing. Basically anything that is special and unique. This is, I feel, one of the most popular competition in the entire Emerge movement. I've also submitted my video for this year, what about you?
Next, the Songwriting competition! I actually signed up or this competition but I couldn't find any inspiration so I didn't submit my entry! Hahaha! :/ The song that we're suppose to create should revolve around the theme of Nation Building or Social Issues. I'm more of a poet than a songwriter because I can NEVER come up with a melody for all my lyrics, hahaha! I did try to song-write but it always fails! I really look up to Taylor Swift, she writes all her songs! (:
and last but not least, the Blogging Challenge! and yes, I'm part of the blogging team! I'm so happy that I made it to the top 12. So from now on I will continue to blog about Emerge and please do support my page okay? xx
Spirit This segment is a challenge for those who have faith that they know the gospel well enough!
Preaching Challenge. The contestants are suppose to come up with a 3-minute sermon and preach it to the people. They will be judged mainly on their sermon preparation and preaching skills. I didn't have enough faith to join this competition, hahaha! oops! The contestants are suppose to preach on the topics Relationship or Discipleship.
Testimony Challenge. To share a testimony as creatively as possible and it tests the contestants their ability to deliver a moving testimony! I think that this would really motivate people, especially during the service, it will show the goodness of God and the wonderful works that He have done in the lives of the others!
Lastly, Com'Sense. I think this competition is very hard because it tests on your bible memory skills and your knowledge about the everyday lives such as health, current affairs, youths, family. They will even have to sit for a written exam. like WOAH...
Salt & Light
Lastly, the Salt & Light segment. This is a new segment as this year's theme is Evolve and the aim was to involve the society in this Emerge movement together with us. And through this two iSociety projects, we hope that we can bring more joy to the people in our community, to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This is why, the projects have been divied into 2 categories:
iSociety long term. The idea to solve a certain social problem on a lone term basis. A project that lasts more than 3 months.
iSociety one-off. The one-off project usually only happens on 1 event and does not last more than 3 months.
So now you know all about Emerge 2012, are you excited for it? I SURE AM! This year's Emerge would be more meaningful than ever! Let's all go out there and make a difference, support our fellow youths on their videos/photos/projects!
Have you followed CHC Emerge on Facebook and Twitter yet? If not, click on the link below to start following! Let's make this a nationwide movement! Twitter: @chcemerge Facebook: Search "EMERGE (CHC S'pore)"
