Getting ready . . . .

Wow - it's almost time to leave on the Mission Trip!  I need to pack!  Check the first aid kits, bake cookies for the trip, get forms together, Oh My!

In times like these, I remind myself of the Martha and Mary verse:

Luke 10:38-42

New International Version (NIV)

At the Home of Martha and Mary

³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

In all the flurry of preparations for the trip - I need to pull myself back and remember what we're doing and why we're taking this trip.  We're going on a Mission Trip.  We're going to do good things for God, to glorify him; we're going to spend time together working and having fun - coming together and bonding as a Youth Group; and we're going to do devotions (both personal and in groups) to learn and reflect on his word.

Lots of preparation goes in to these Trips, not just in the couple weeks before and not just by me.  There are so many people who have attended our fundraisers and are supporting us financially on this trip; Ministers and church employees that go the extra mile to help us organize the trip; Pearl and Patti (our adopted Grandmothers); parents who help organize and cook, etc. etc.  They have all given of themselves and in a sense are going with us on this trip.  Without them - none of this would be possible.

We recently had a sermon that discussed being spiritual vs being religious.  To me, being spiritual means you believe in God - but chose not to commit to any one congregation.  Being religious, and by making that committment to a congregation, gives us each an additional faith opportunity.  Without a congregation supporting us, this Mission Trip wouldn't happen.  It's wonderful to have a close, personal relationship with God - but with a congregation you have scheduled time to specifically discuss, explore, consider and reflect on his word.  You have people to challenge you, present new ideas and push you to grow in your faith.  You also have a support system.

We plan to do good things for God and to learn and grow in our faith.  Thank you all for your support for this Mission Trip.

Youtheology Pilgrimage

**Maddy Malone is one of the St Paul Youth who has been attending Youtheology at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, KS.  She is currently on the Youtheology Pilgrimage.  The following is a note from the Youtheology Director.

We are eagerly anticipating our upcoming Pan-Methodist Pilgrimage with travel from Friday, June 8^th (after overnighting Saint Paul tomorrow, Thursday, June 7^th) to Saturday, June 16^th. It is an exciting time.

We would like you to know that we appreciate the confidence you have placed in us in allowing your youth to go on this pilgrimage. We take this responsibility seriously. With your prayers and the diligent attention of our leaders, all will be well.

As director of the program, I will be leading the pilgrimage. Sharing leadership with me will be Mrs Lee Svet, youTheology Media and Publicatons Coordinator; Mr Tyler Fletcher, Program Assistant; Ms Stephanie Stephens and Ms Ramona Winfied, Saint Paul School of Theology Students and Small Group Leaders; Rev Santiago Heredia, UMC Elder and Small Group Leader from youTheology Southwest in El Paso, TX; and Ms Janessa Smith, youTheology Intern. This is a very caring team that is committed to the well-being of the students and the accomplishment of our programmatic goals.

Eighteen youth will be on the pilgrimage. There will be 15 from youTheology Midwest in Kansas City, MO, 1 from the yT-Pod in Illinois, and 2 from youTheology Southwest in El Paso, TX. During the pilgrimage, a member of the AMEZ church in New York will participate with us.

The seminar at the UMC’s General Board of Church and Society will focus on economic justice, how it relates to who we are, and how it affects us every day. This came out of a discussion with the young people in Kansas City and El Paso during orientation in August 2012. The seminar is conducted by seasoned staff at the General Board of Church and Society in a building opposite the Capitol.

Each day, beginning Friday, June 8^th, we will post daily updates written by the youTheologians themselves that chronicle the Pilgrimage. We will also include photos and video clips. Please check www.youtheology.org/panmethodistpilgrimage2012 to see how we’re doing and what we’re learning.

Thank you very much for your support and prayers. You are appreciated. May God bless you with peace!

Claire A Smith

Director of youTheology and

Youth Ministry Specialist-in-Residence

Youth Out and About!

This week we have two of our Youth at Youth Annual Conference in Lincoln.  Matt and Chandler Bowden have been representatives for the Youth at St. Paul for a few years now.  They left Tuesday and I hope to be getting some messages from them to share with you.

Maddy Malone leaves tomorrow to go on the YouTheology annual pilgrimage.  They will be going to the east coast to walk in the footsteps of John Wesley.  She will be sending posts about her experiences - so stay tuned for them!

Please join me in taking a moment to say a prayer for our Youth as they travel, wishing them safe journeys, meaningful experiences and blessings as they learn more themselves and their relationship with God.  What fantastic opportunities they have.  They are so lucky to have such a supportive congregation behind them!

Check back soon for more updates!

Senior Posters

For those of you who may have missed out on the posters

Rooted and Grounded

Ephesians 3:14-19

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— ¹⁹ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

For those of you attending the Graduate Recognition, you'll get to see the gift all the seniors are receiving and it refers to this scripture.  We, as a congregation, have nurtured and supported our seniors as they have grown - both in years and in faith.  Now, as they graduate and step out into the world (sniffle, sniffle) I am so excited to see what amazing things they will accomplish.

I encourage you to check out the Senior posters at the back of Fellowship hall, share some cake with them at the reception following the Fusion Service and as always - worship with them and support them on their Faith journey.

Peace Pole

What is a Peace Pole?

From the PeacePoleProject:

A Peace Pole is a handcrafted monument that displays the message and prayer "May Peace Prevail on Earth" on each of its four or six sides, usually in different languages.  There are tens of thousands of peace poles in 180 different countries all over the world dedicated as monuments to peace.  They serve as constant reminders for us to visualize and pray for peace.

When you plant a Peace Pole in your community, you are linking with people all over the world who have planted Peace Poles in the same spirit of peace.

A Peace Pole is an internationally-recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth. Each Peace Pole bears the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in different languages on each of its four or six sides. There tens of thousands of Peace Poles in nearly every country in the world dedicated as monuments to peace.

Your organization is invited to plant a Peace Pole at each of your centers to highlight the important work you do in many countries to bring about world peace through inner peace. Your Peace Poles would symbolize your mission and simultaneously link your work with that of people of all faiths and nationalities worldwide who are striving for a better world. Won’t you join this great network of peace?

Your Peace Poles may be purchased or hand-crafted locally, displaying the languages that are meaningful to your organization. Each Peace Pole should be dedicated in a ceremony that can commemorate a special occasion (such as the founding of your organization or the annual UN-designated International Day of Peace). The prayers offered at your Peace Pole dedication will help to activate the worldwide network of prayers for peace.

Relevance

rel·e·vance

noun \ˈre-lə-vən(t)s\

Definition of RELEVANCE

1

a: relation to the matter at hand b: practical and especially social applicability : pertinence <giving relevance to college courses>

2

: the ability (as of an information retrieval system) to retrieve material that satisfies the needs of the user

 

 

If someone asked you to describe what you've done that has real relevance - what would you say?  What makes you important?  What have you done that has meaning?

 

Now that you've had a moment to ponder that question - did you mention anything that is relevant to God?  What have you done today, or this week, or this month  - that is relevant to Him? 

 

Stop for just a minute today and simply pray to God.  Don't worry about flowery, elaborate prayers - just talk to Him.  Tell Him thanks.  Tell Him what's bothering you, what you worry about - and ask Him to help.  He wants you to share your life with Him and to include Him in all the details.

 

So, before you go to sleep tonight - include God in your day.  Make it relevant.