Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Ken's Tuesday Camp Thoughts
As a adult leader for this year's mission trip, I not only get to watch over the youth as they are here at Camp Kingswood but I am also eating meals with, enjoying outdoor activities with, and working alongside them as we head out for each day's job assignment.
In just a short period since arriving on Sunday afternoon, we have done a lot of good work in honor of the Lord! Yesterday, the group that I am a part of packaged over 80 boxes of food destined for starving regions of the African country of Nambia and we repurposed and packaged 1,000 pounds of rice destined for Minnesota area food pantries and soup kitchens. Early today, we helped out at a fellow United Methodist church by repainting the exterior of their parsonage house. Bethel UMC has welcomed a new pastor to their church and will be moving into the parsonage at the beginning of August. Our great youth group from St. Paul is not afraid of hard work! They having been giving their all each day and I, along with the other adult leaders, are very proud of their efforts so far.
We begin and end each day with a time of devotions and prayer. Not only are we working hard but we also building team skills and striving to develop a better understanding the world around us. Many of us are learning how we can serve others through even the smallest good deeds. We have free time each day to enjoy outdoor activites from basketball and baseball to hiking and swimming. The weather really has been beautiful this week! We are also joined this week at Camp Kingswood by our brothers and sisters from Calvary UMC out of Ames, IA and have enjoyed spending time and interacting with them.
Wednesday is a free day for our group (non-work day). Many of us will head over to downtown Minneapolis to watch the Minnesota Twins baseball team play an afternoon game. The rest of the group will head over to the Mall of America in Bloomington.
Josie's thoughts
Today was pretty fun! I got in a paint fight with children. He started it though. I got really tired really fast.
Tuesday
Well sWe've had a pretty busy time so far. It's been a little challenging to get posts out to you because the only Internet service is in the boys lodge. We have done loads already. And I seriously mean loads! On Monday two of our groups started out at Feed My Starving Children. We worked in smaller groups and were able to package a total of 81 boxes of manna rice meals. They consist of chicken, vegetable, soy and rice. Each meals feeds a family of 6 for a day. Each box has 36 meals in it.
After lunch we went to Second Harvest. There we packed a ton of rice into 1 pound bags. It was dust and we all looked lovely in hair nets, but what a sense of accomplishment!
We weren't too tired to miss out on swimming and canoeing in the evening though! We met and shared our stories together, had fellowship time and worship at night. They grow the Mosquitos pretty big and plentiful up here, but bugs spray helps a lot.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
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:
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.
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.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
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 8th (after overnighting Saint Paul tomorrow, Thursday, June 7th) to Saturday, June 16th. 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 8th, 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
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
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!
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!
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