Love God=Love self=Love others

Love Thy Neighbor

This is the theme that ten youth and three adults from Ascension (two of the youth are really members at other congregations in town, but they are definitely part of our group!) focused on these last two days.

Tonight as we debriefed the experiences we had, we also looked back on what we were anticipating coming here.  We worried about meeting new people--the youth were broken up into small groups and they didn't know anyone else..... now the one who was the most vocal shared they made two new friends in their small group.  We complained about getting up early, yet when we suggested congregational time early so they could go to bed early, they wanted to hang out with each other.  There was laughter, frustration, singing, games, small groups, time to learn how to survive the zombie apocalypse, talk about love of and from God, love of ourselves and love of our neighbors. 

When working with high school youth, you never really know what to expect, and in all honesty, neither do they.  I saw new sides of some of our youth--all normal, and yet surprising.  We had no real trouble, they were fun and and had fun.  It is interesting to see how what their peers say and do affects what they believe they want to do. Trying to keep the group together could be a challenge and admittedly, if I heard many more I don't knows, I think I would have screamed. 

I thank the people of Ascension for their support.  We have an opportunity to invest in our young people, to step up and give our youth the opportunity to continue their faith journey, to strengthen it.  There is anxiety around money and how we will pay for the gathering.  We have the money, we have the support---we just need to make it tangible.

As Bob and Chris walk the halls of the Radisson tonight between midnight and 2 a.m., I sit and reflect as our young people are in their rooms (hopefully getting ready for bed and sleeping!), I am reflecting upon another wonderful event with our kids.  These young people are created and God said it is good.  God is molding them and shaping them, not without a little attitude, swag, and annoyances for adults--but God is surely at work. 

Love God=Love self=Love others