2014: The Year in Review

2014 was an amazing year in Youth Ministry!  Please enjoy a recap of our time together.

Just click here 

https://animoto.com/play/k1BGqpjlacS0RgKVhzf5Ug

to view!  

Youth Led Worship

The end of January included a special youth-led worship service.  There is something unique and wonderful about being led in worship by some of the youngest in our faith family.  It is powerful and meaningful for all; we are truly blessed that our young people are so eager and willing to share their gifts with us all.

Youth Choir

"Lift High the Cross" prelude

"Ode to Joy" - this trumpeter has been playing all of 4.5 months!

Duet - by Bach

Jump!

January's youth event was to the newest cool place in town - Jump!  We gathered on a Friday night for pizza at the church, then headed to the new trampoline park for hours of jumping fun.

Some pics from the event:

Chow Time

(we even managed a little youth choir rehearsal during dinner....!)

This was one of everyone's favorite moments:  a slow song came on, and Crosby and his girlfriend seized the opportunity to slow dance with one another.  A Godsight, for many.

Such a fun night!  Such a great crew!!!

Winter Celebration: Known By Faith

Five youth and two advisors attend the Virginia Synod event, Winter Celebration, in late January. What a weekend it was!  Our theme for our time together was "Known by Faith" and our focus was on 1 Timothy 1: 3-5.  

"I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach any different doctrine, and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless geneaologies that promote speculations rather than divine training, that is known by faith.  But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith."  

We grew together in faith as well as closer together as a group.  It was a wonderful time for all.  

Some pics:

Our adventure begins!

Dining hall... our group plus a photo bomber

Bishop Mauney's performace of "Pharoah, Pharoah" is one to see!

The sunsets are always breathtaking at Eagle Eyrie

Our awesome group!!

Worst part:  the end.

Join Us! SMP 2015

YOU are invited! 

Summer Mission Project 2015

Youth Ministry Hat

Like many of you here at St. Mark, I wear several different hats. The hat above is my Youth Ministry Hat.   It’s a fun hat to wear, and it’s one of my favorite hats, because it means I’m spending time with some of my favorite people here.  Speaking of which – I wanted to highlight an event that 8 of our youth and 3 adults participated in this past week.  On their day off of school, these kids met up with us at the church in the morning.  Together, we drove out to the Mobile Food Pantry distribution site in Lovingston, VA. We met up with other volunteers and spent the morning unpacking produce and canned goods from the food truck, repacking them in bags, then distributing them to grateful clients in need of assistance, serving a total of 250 families.  My youth ministry hat is a rewarding one to wear, and it’s also a fun one to wear.

PACEM hat

In the coming months, I’ll wear my PACEM hat as we meet together and plan the details of hosting the homeless women in our community for two weeks this February.  We’ll make sure our cozy blankets are laundered and ready to go; we’ll brainstorm ideas of how we will make our guests feel welcomed and loved; we’ll make sure we have all areas of hosting covered by a crew of volunteers.  My PACEM hat serves to remind me how fortunate I am, and that I can demonstrate my gratitude by helping to organize and support shelter for others.

Summer Mission Project hat

And then there’s this bright yellow hat, the one that is the best of both of my other hats.  This is a fun hat, a rewarding hat, and an important hat.  This is the hat I’ll wear for this year’s Summer Mission Project.  Have you heard the news? We are heading to Hartsville, South Carolinaand working with Habitat for Humanity on a blitz build – building one house in one week, start to finish.  We’re partnering with another congregation, Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, and working alongside them to build a house – a home – for a family in need of shelter.  (More on LPC here)  The Habitat for Humanity Summer Mission Project is an intergenerational trip, open to everyone who is age 14 or older. 

Now here’s a surprising and delightful little detail about this hat:  it’s a one-size-fits-all hat.  Do you have a heart for mission?  This hat fits you.  Do you know how to hammer a nail?  This hat fits you.  Do you have no idea how to hammer a nail, but you’re willing to learn?  This hat fits you.  Do you want to make a tangible difference in the lives of your fellow sisters and brothers in Christ?  This hat fits you.  Do you desire to respond God’s love for us through your service to others?  This hat fits you.

And so, I would like to invite YOU to join the SMP Team for the blitz build that will be life-changing for the family who will have a place to call home.  I’m willing to bet that this trip will have a profound and lasting impact on your own life, as well.  Planning is well under way for this trip, and I would love to add YOUR name to the list of participants.  There is a poster in the Narthex with more information, as well as a flyer in my office.  Please, try wearing this hat – I guarantee, it fits anyone with the heart to try it on.

Food Bank Service Project

At the end of July, our group visited the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to serve as volunteers on a food service project for local folks in need.  The experience was a complete success!  We had a total of 8 youth and 3 adult advisors serve for 2 hours at the food bank.  We assembled a total of 420 bags consisting of the following:  2 bags of rice; 1 lb spaghetti; 2 jars spaghetti sauce; 2 boxes mac n cheese; 3 jars applesauce;  1 bag of beans; 3 cans of tomato soup; 1 can of chicken; 1 jar of peanut butter; 3 cans of peaches.  The food bags are intended to supplement meals for a family of 4 for a weekend.  It was humbling to think about that amount of food nurturing a family of 4 for a weekend; afterward, at lunch, we had good discussion about what weekend meals look like in our homes versus what we packaged up that day.  All in the group were surprised to find out that 10% of the population visits the food bank regularly.  We thought that number was quite staggering.  It was an excellent experience, the first of many.

High five for teamwork!

Hard at work

breaking down the many boxes from the food we'd organized

One full palette of bags, ready to go!

Who knew trash compacting could be so fun?!

Our awesome crew

Summer Mission Project 2014

The First Ever/First Annual Summer Mission Project was one for the books!  What an amazing week we had in D.C., serving the communities in both relational and labor-intensive work ministry through the national organization called Youth Works.  Our team of 6 high school youth and 2 adult advisors returned with full hearts and many stories to share, as well as a renewed enthusiasm for mission work.  Although we have returned home, our mission is, in some ways, just beginning, as we are called to go forth and continue serving like Jesus by building and nurturing relationships in our own communities and helping those in need.

Car Selfie with 7/8 of us showing.. not bad!

On the last night of our mission trip, I provided a paragraph frame for each of us in the group to complete.  I've recorded everyone's reflections here, and interspersed some photos from the trip.  We have so much more to share, though, than the snippits recorded here.  Please seek us out and ask us to tell you about our week in D.C...

Touring the National Mall

Such a powerful monument - we raced to the top of the Lincoln, Rocky-style.

"My week of service in D.C. was amazing.  At first, it was uncomfortable.  Then it was fun.  Also, it was eye-opening.  My week of service in D.C. was uplifting."

Playing freeze-in-place games on the Metro (with Emilee, our site director)

Happy Birthday Nate!

"My week of service in D.C. was very meaningful and fulfilling because I got to help many people.  At first, I was shy, but now I feel as if I was able to get together with the group and do some great work.  Then as a group, we got more quality work done than when I was shy.  Also, the week here helped better establish some friendships with people from our church in addition the people we had been helping.  My week of service in D.C. was important."

Painted on the wall at CCNV

Also on the walls of CCNV (portrait of Mitch Snyder, the activist who founded CCNV)

Enjoying the self-taught pianist Howard.  Two very beautiful souls, side by side.

"My week of service in D.C. was rewarding, and conflicting.  At first, I was scared that none of the kids would like me and that our group wouldn't get along.  Then, I realized kids from other churches were very rude, but our church got along great.  Also, the old person's home was a little boring and awkward at first, bu the second day was much better.  My week of service in D.C. was rewarding from the service."

Arlington National Cemetery and the grave of a dear friend's father, who died on September 11, 2001 at the Pentagon.

"My week of service in D.C. was amazing because I saw how lucky I am and that I helped.  At first, I was scared that the people we helped would be ungrateful.  Then, we didn't work with them, we just helped ready the stuff.  Also, our group was cool and we had fun. My week of service in D.C. was amazing."  

Official YouthWorks banner.  J. is waaaay better at selfies than I am.

"My week of service was filled with new perspective and a renewed faith in the goodness of humanity.  At first, I worried that I would not enjoy relational mission work.  Then, I saw how much need existed.  Also, I walked away with a deeper commitment to building community and strengthening relationships.  My week of service was filled with new perspective and a renewed faith in the goodness of humanity."

Endless rounds of BS while waiting for dinner to be served (Paul was conducting official church business on his phone)

"My week of service in D.C. was different than I expected, and rewarding to be with our group.  At first, I felt out of touch and shy.  Then everyone was so genuine and nice I felt comfortable and welcomed.  Also, it was easier to follow good leadership than to lead.  My week of service ewas not perfect but I feel like I helped."

An awesome little adventure at a park in Arlington near where we stayed.

"My week of service in D.C. was uplifting.  At first, it was intimidating.  Then, it was exciting.  Also, it was a good experience.  My week of service in D.C. was uplifting."

Group pics!  The entire group of 60; the two groups with St. Mark folk; St. Mark Church with the YW staff

"My week of service in D.C. was rewarding and educational.  At first, it was a little hard to get used to the way things were done and the beliefs of other people.  Then I accepted the differences and began to simply enjoy helping the people in need.  Also our adventures away from the big group were fun.  My week of service in D.C. was rewarding and educational."

I like to call this the Dream Team.  I dreamed of leading a Summer Mission Project... and they answered the call.

*************

And the mark of a truly good trip? is when the team starts talking about NEXT year's trip, what we will do, where we will go.... (and just wait until you hear about one of the possibilities!)  I am indebted to this amazing group of youth, along with my fantastic co-leader, Paul, for making my dream a reality.

"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."  

-Jesus (John 13:15).