Closing out the school year...

Both groups met this past weekend for our last official youth group meeting before summer begins.  Although we'll still meet on many occasions during the summer, (Breakfast Bunch; a Gargoyle tour for the junior highs; Relay for Life; plus some informal gatherings like meeting at Sweetfrogs) this was our last time to be together with our seniors before graduation.  

Each group met separately but the first hour was spent the same way, in planning and preparation for the Youth Sunday worship service on June 9.  We met in the sanctuary, a quiet and beautiful space filled with that golden light found only at dusk.  We shared the parts of the service we like best, including the procession of the cross, the children's moment, and communion.  We chose favorite hymns, selected some beloved readings from scripture, and divvied up roles and parts among the group.  If their energy and enthusiasm is any indication, the service on June 9 promises to be memorable and special.  I'm grateful to these kids for their willingness to share their gifts with the congregation, and proud of the leadership they provide in doing so.

The junior highs played "Proverbs Balderdash" in which they were given the first part of a Proverb and they had to supply the last part.  Some of my favorites from the night (with actual Proverbs in italics):

 Don't brag about tomorrow....because it doesn't exist yet.  (or because you don't know what may happen then.  27:1).

 If you find honey, don't... give it to a bear.  (or don't eat too much, or it will make you throw up.  25:16).

If you do not punish your children... they will become spoiled (or you do not love them, but if you love your children, you will correct them.  13:24). 

Wisdom is like... YOLO meets Bilbo Baggins [Editor's note:  YOLO is teenagease for "You Only Live Once"].... or Wisdom is like a woman shouting in the street.  (1:20). 

We had some great discussion about these verses from Proverbs, and briefly looked back at one of the major themes we explored in these months since our first meeting in February, focusing on how to be a reflection of God's light in the world, and how to let our light shine.

The Senior Highs similarly had a chance to reflect on their overall theme of Who Am I? but this time in the context of what will I do with that knowledge?  We talked about summer as an opportunity to take a break from the routine and structure of the school year, but also as an opportunity to set goals and try new things.  We brainstormed "faith goals" we might set for ourselves. One of my examples was that sometimes, I get distracted by things like Facebook and texting and Youtube videos.  I forget to pick my head up and look around.  I want to be more intentional about finding Godsights every day, if possible, or at least every week. I want to make sure I am connecting to the people in front of me, not in front of my screen.  

After sharing possible goals, we illustrated our goals on an oversized piece of paper, showing what we hoped to achieve this summer as it relates to our faith.  We discovered that none among us that night were destined to be the next Picasso, but we did discover some commonalities in how we hope to grow our faith.  

Although all of us are looking forward to the stretch of summer that lies ahead, I know that I, for one, am also looking forward to the end of summer and the beginning of a brand new year of youth group.  But until then - 
   

To our Graduating Seniors: 

Sydney, Paul, Crosby, Matthew, Emily, Nicholas, and Thomas,

We wish you all the best! 

May you set forth on this new chapter in your lives with the knowledge that

God loves you, God is with you –

and that there is always a place for you at St. Mark.

Climb On!

This past weekend, Jeff and I had the pleasure of taking a crew of 7 on a most excellent adventure - rock climbing at a local climbing gym!  The kids were enthusiastic when they arrived, and Jeff and I reveled in the chance to climb again -  with the added bonus of hanging out with some awesome kids (other than our own!) for a few hours!

Nothing could have made the day any more fun or any better than it was....well, if I'd remembered to take a group picture, THAT would have been perfect.  It would also have been awesome if I'd managed to get at least ONE picture of every amazing climber, instead of lots of pics of just the same few.... However, the highly amusing videos that the kids made and the many (many!) funny/blurry photos they took while I was distracted by making sure everyone stayed alive during our climbing adventure made up for the lack of the group pic and the other pics, too. 

A recap, in photos:

A natural climber for certain.  Do we call him Spiderman?

And to think she (T) was a teensy bit nervous!

Climb on, A.  (she was my official rope tier, too)

We *may or may not* have instructed Jeff to hold this pose and flex his calf for the purpose of a great photo op...

So much fun!

Love this shot of the three of us climbing/bouldering together... (A, J, and Yours Truly)

Belay on?  On belay!  Climbing? Climb on!

So proud of this girl (R) and how hard she worked to climb this wall in particular!

Post-climbing and post-pizza, we played several rounds of Apples To Apples, which is kind of becoming our official youth group game...

I'm so grateful to these kids and for this experience and for the time we shared and the trust we built and the teamwork we enjoyed.  I love that I depended on A. to help me out with tying the knots properly.  I love how C. belayed not only me but most of the kids in our group, as well.  I loved hearing them all encourage each other, applaud each other, and praise each other's determination and efforts.

As we said our goodbyes that afternoon, many of us were asking the same question - When can we go rock climbing again??? 

3rd Annual Camping Trip!

St. Mark Campers descended upon Sherando Lake campground for the 3rd annual spring trip this past weekend!  Historically, this has been both a chilly and a wet event.  This time - blue, sunny, and dry skies abounded!  However - the chill factor was quite a different story.  The day after returning home, my Leo reported at the dinner table that "the best part of my day was that I was not cold!"  

 Frostbite or no, it was a memorable, food-for-the-soul kind of weekend.  But don't take my word for it!  Here's what others had to say:

“What a wonderful camping weekend!  Thank you to all who helped it happen, especially Paul and Lois...you do so much to make this happen for us all.  Thank you to Pastor Sandy for worship leadership and bringing us together with good spirit and humor.  I love that.... and thank you to all who came, I loved that there were campers there that I had missed out on camping with last year. And, to those who could not come......there is always next year!”

Gathering for a meal

“Another wonderful weekend!  I love that [folks are] already looking forward to and planning for next year... to me, that's a true sign of a great trip, that everyone is thinking about the next year.  Every person on this trip brought something special and unique to the group.  I am deeply grateful to be a part of this community that continues to grow and flourish, and I know that we…consider our St. Mark family to be among the biggest blessings in our lives.  The worship service on Sunday was among the highlights of the trip for me.  Thank you, Pastor Sandy, for creating a meaningful, memorable service in such a beautiful setting. 

Thank you all!”

Rolling down the hillside never got old!

“Another great weekend with some of my faith family. I enjoyed it.  One surprise to me was the sunburn on my face....the only exposed skin to the elements during the trip... who knew? Next time, sunscreen can be packed too, along with long johns and hat and gloves....just in case.” 

The ongoing badminton game!

“I love the t-shirts [and] the medallions... Thanks for the wonderful sharing of food, thank you Sandy for another worship that really spoke to me. Thanks for dry skies!”

No-dye Tie Dye Shirts

Wowza Camp Medallions! 

“[We] want to echo the heart-felt comments made thus far concerning the family camping weekend.  Our time together was so special.  Being outdoors surrounded by trees, blue sky (mostly) overhead, the sound of Whippoorwills during the night (have to take your word on that!!), the sharing of meals, laughter and so many other wonderful moments are memories to be treasured.”



“Thanks to each of you for your unique contributions.  Everyone was so willing to do whatever needed to be done.  The service on Sunday morning was so very meaningful...a highlight of our mountain get-away.  Thank you for lovingly gathering us together to share in such a beautiful worship experience.”

Preparing for worship in Upper Whippoorwill Chapel

“[We] had a wonderful time... it was a first for our family and we enjoyed it very much. We are already talking about what to bring for next year (more blankets to go with our sleeping bags). We just want to say "Thank you" to all who planned, packed, organized, cooked, cleaned, shared, and sang, in addition to reaching out, encouraging, welcoming, socializing, laughing, and chit-chatting with us and allowing us to be a part of something so fun and enjoyable.  It was a wonderful experience to camp with all of you; it is a great memory to own. Thank you.” 

A great memory to own, indeed.  

Just 50-some weeks and counting until Sherando Lake 2014!