Monday

Our First work day!

The Salts (Jeff, Caitlin and Drew and some people from Maryland) spent the day at US Bank Boys’ and Girls’ Club.

When the group first got there they played games with the kids like pool and Ping Pong.  After a while they went with the cadet group (6-8 year old kids) and watched some TV shows – after all, the weekly theme at the Boy’s and Girls’ club was TV!! Caitlin said there were about 25 cadets.  So far, this doesn’t sound like too much work!!

After the TV the group played a spelling game with the cadet kids until lunch. During lunch, they ate lunch with the kids at the club. After lunch was gym time, where they participated in relay races and basketball. Caitlin and Drew’s long hair was very popular with the girls at the club. They had as many as five girls at once braiding and playing with their hair! When they weren’t playing with their hair they were giving the kids piggyback rides. Both Caitlin and Drew said that some of the kids were heavy! The Salts will be going back every day this week.

While the Salts were at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, the Ones (Nancy, Josh, Nathan, TJ, Jessica, Alex and Louie) went to the Price Hill Community Center. We split up at first, Nancy, Louie, TJ, and Josh spent the morning weeding part of their vegetable garden. It was very hot! The kids did a really great and thorough job of pulling up weeds (by their roots!) While they were weeding, Jessica, Alex and Nathan organized a big walk-in supply closet for the day camp program. They organized games and art supplies and a lot of things. They finished a little bit before lunch so they went outside and helped the other group finish up an area of weeding for about 20 minutes. After lunch we all got to help out with the day camp program. These kids were 5-12 years old. We did some art projects with them and went outside and played with them until it was time for their lunch at 2:00. We had a little time left before showers so we cleaned up the kitchen area in the community center before we took showers at 3:00.  Tomorrow the Ones will be going to a new place…. Stay tuned!

I think we all had a pretty good day of service. Right now, the kids are enjoying some free time: some playing cards with kids from another church, and some learning a new game (though the Salts have dinner prep tonight….) After dinner tonight we will be travelling to the Purple People Bridge to hang out. It should be fun. Our kids are already making friends with kids from other churches!

Your support is so much appreciated. These youth are already growing in Christ, making new friends and serving  the community of Cincinnati. We appreciate your continued prayers. 

We're Here!

We made it to warm and sunny Cincinnati! W had a 'boys' car' and 'girls' car' on the way down, and we stopped for lunch at pizza hut about half way. The church we are staying at is full of hallways and little rooms, and while we got a tour when we first arrived, we're still trying to figure it all out. There are 63 (I think) people here. The sleeping rooms are full and warm!

We've already been challenged here. While we were hoping to be split up evenly, 2 groups of 4, each with an adult. God had other plans (or Youthworks did anyway.) We were challenged to split our group into 2 groups- one with 2 youth and one adult (along with another church) and one with 6 youth and one adult, and no other church. We also had the challenge that the group with 2 people had to have youth 13 or over (in order to work with kids at a boys and girls center. We've met our first challenge and created these groups: The Ones consists of Joshua, Nathan, Alex, Louie, TJ, Jessica and Nancy;  The Salts consists of Caitlin and Drew with Jeff.

The staff here is terrific! Our site director is Kati, who seems like she's got it all together and is very understanding. The service staff are Megan and Sean (by the way, any Washington DC mission trip alumni reading this-- they both know Shawn!) and the program staffer is Lestan. He gave an awesome message about Love tonight. I don't know how he's going to top it tomorrow!!

Another challenge is that our leader meetings aren't right before dinner, they are at 6:45 AM! Ideally this will give us more free time after our work day before dinner, but it means our youth have to be able to get up and get ready and make it to breakfast on their own!

We know that although this isn't the situation we'd hoped for, we will still be rewarded this week. We are all excited and anxious to start serving tomorrow and waiting to see what God has in store for us.

We appreciate all your prayers  as we work here in Cincinnati, we are blessed to have such a wonderfully supportive congregation that allows us to have these awesome opportunities of mission.

Why a mission trip?

A mission trip is a life changing event.  There are life skills that are built into the mission trip any teenager will benefit from learning.  You will gain new abilities to understand people and increase your relationship skills as you meet new and different people.  You will learn leadership skills as you take on new responsibilities.  Sometime during the trip you will discover your ability to learn new skills.  You may get the chance to build something for the first time including using tools you never thought you’d use.  You could learn to share your faith with a complete stranger giving you the confidence to speak in front of others.  A mission trip is a stretching experience far more than whatever is competing with your time.

You will encounter Jesus in new, fresh, and powerful ways.  There is no experience that connects us to Jesus like a mission trip.  

I can't wait to be able to serve with you this summer!

Breakfast Club keeps on going!

Should I say, "Back by popular demand" or "The people have spoken"? In any event, we've decided to continue with our Breakfast Club program during the summer months!  We change to  one service (at 10:00) on Sunday, May 27 (Memorial Day weekend.) We won't have Breakfast Club then, but we'll start back on Sunday, June 3 at 9:00 - 9:45. 

What does all this mean?

First, it means you all understand the importance of growing your faith! By wanting to continue to meet on Sundays, even in the summer, you know that our learning about God and growing closer to Him shouldn't stop just because school is out!

Second, it means you won't be sleeping in on Sundays... sorry. But I think (and hopefully you think) this stuff is worth getting up and coming to church!

Third, we will continue to build and strengthen the friendships and bonds we've created this year, with no break! Personally, I always miss seeing you every week in the summer. 

Fourth, because our meeting time is only 45 minutes (not the hour we have now) it will be really important for you to try your best at being on time.

Fifth, it means there are more opportunities to sign up to bring food! don't forget to sign up here: 

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/breakfast34

I'm excited to continue to share in your faith journeys with you, each week, all year long!

A Night Out a Huge Success!

On Saturday, March 24, Geneva’s sanctuary was once again transformed into an elegant eatery hosting 95 people who purchased tickets for our youth mission trips fundraising dinner and auction.

The evening started with valet and coat check service (even though it was unseasonably warm and not many coats were worn.)  Dinner was served by the youth, which included spicy squash/bean chili, beef wellington or baked salmon, mashed potatoes and peas. Along with serving and busing tables, many youth also participated in the entertainment for the evening.  Steven Daubenmeyer, Billy Stark, Louie Stark, Josh Doering, Jessica Krone, Caitlin Marchand and TJ Lowmaster started us off with a skit called “Out of Focus” that depicted a little bit of what our your group meetings are like. Lauren Arquette shared her talent on the piano with a song called “When September Ends.” Amanda Glass and Nathan Pohl told us a little bit about Washington DC and Cincinnati, the cities where our youth will be serving this summer. Nathan Pohl, TJ Lowmaster, Marilyn McBain, Caitlin Marchand, Amanda Glass, Beth Stark, Madelyn Degener, Steven Daubenmeyer, Lauren Arquette and Drew Degener performed a skit called “Disciple Auditions.” We showed a filmed skit called “Are we HIS Neighbors?” with Louie Stark, Drew Degener, Jessica Krone and Travis Wiggins. Beth Stark, Jessica Krone, Amanda Glass, TJ Lowmaster and Marilyn McBain participated in a skit called “Amazing Grace.” Marilyn McBain shared her talent as well, singing “Blessed Be Your Name.” Beth Stark, Drew Degener and Madeyln Degener performed a reader’s theater titled “A Love Letter From His Love Letter.”. Several Almuni shared their thoughts on youth mission trips via a video, edited by Ian Glodich. One of our youth alumni, Hannah Glodich, came back to perform a song. “Awake My Soul,” with Marilyn McBain and Beth Stark. And finally, Beth Stark closed the show with “A Sailor’s Prayer.”

None of this could have been accomplished without help the help of numerous volunteers. Yummy hors d’oeuvres, a fabulous dinner and a scrumptious dessert were created by Carol Bunch with the help of Barb Berbert, Ella Bastine, Kay Sousa, Dwight Gibson, Sarah Wiggins, and Christy Marchand. Valet service was headed up by Mark Arquette and his expert parking team of Chuck TenBroeck, John Glodich and Jeff (and Zachary) Doering. The volunteers of the Youth Ministry Team (Brian Anderson,  Dan Degener, Mike Graunstdat and Bryan Smith) were essential in pulling off this event. Diana Noble was indispensable in helping to create amazing baskets for the auction. The decorating team, led by Angie Stark, and aided by Anne Degener and Julie Graunstadt created a beautiful atmosphere in our sanctuary. Debbie Krone and Christy Marchand facilitated the silent auction check out process. Stu Delaney and Jeff Doering stepped in to run our sound board and video projections. The parents of all our youth stayed after to help transform the space into our worship area for Sunday.

A big thanks to all of those people mentioned above who took their time, talent and energy to make this night so successful. (Please forgive us if we’ve left anyone off the list.) A special thanks goes to everyone who attended, helped set up, ironed table clothes and napkins, stayed to help clean up, donated auction items and bid on auction items this year. Our silent auction had 42 items or packages to bid on. Along with items in our auction, each youth attending the mission trips this summer donated a service to be auctioned off. Services included babysitting, gardening, cooking, pet sitting, yard work and odd jobs.  Several bids were over the donation value! A generous $3200 was raised from the silent auction alone. The total fundraising from this night netted approximately $4300. Adding our bake sale and Super Bowl sub fundraisers, the youth have raised over $500 toward the cost of their mission trips. Through your generous support many lives will be touched by the love of Christ this summer. 

It's Almost Time!

I'm getting very excited about our event on Saturday. Tickets are all sold, auction items have been logged in and the bidding has started. We already have over $1200 in bids! Whoo hoo!

I want to thank you all for being supportive of this event. I especially want to thank those who’ve helped who aren’t even going on the mission trip.

Although a lot has been done so far, we still have a lot to do! 

THIS WEEK Ironing! Anytime the church is open or after, PLEASE let me know if you can iron tablecloths!! The ironing board is set up in the far right room of the lighthouse area. This is an especially good opportunity for your support if you have not brought in donations. We have LOTS of tablecloths to iron. (I can't stress this enough) Bring your own iron and ironing board if you can. Let me know when you can help. 

Saturday Morning: Arrive at 9:00 to help set up. And rehearse the entertainment. Hopefully we'll be done by noon, if not before. I will expect you to be able to stay the entire time. Other than setting up the sanctuary, auction tables, and coat check areas, we will be talking about how we will be serving dinner. 

Saturday Afternoon: Come on back to church at 4:30 dressed in black bottoms – skirt or pants and a nice white top (with sleeves). Also, closed-toed shoes are required for when we are serving. (You will be in the kitchen at some point.)

I will also expect EVERYONE (Parents and Youth) to help clean up and set up for worship on Sunday. If we all work together it won't take very long. 

You have all worked so hard already, thank you! If you have any questions or concerns PLEASE let me know!

Your sister in Christ,

Nancy

Are you doing anything special for Lent?

Since Ash Wednesday, I've been going to a website called Journey to the Cross. On this site, they provide a daily devotion for Lent. I find that some days, these devotions are just what I need to keep me focused on God that day, and help me to prepare for the joy that is Easter. Here is an excerpt from Friday's devotion:

"How can you tell?"

That's a fair quesition whenever someone makes a prediction of what is going to happen, or even when they give an explanation for what is happening now. 

There are signs for those who will see them.  Take time now to watch for the signs God has for you.

Mark 1:14-15

After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee and told the good news that comes from God. He said, "The time has come! God's kingdom will soon be here. Turn back to God and believe the good news!

from Bruce Reyes-Chow

I am a procrastinator. I like to tell myself that I do better under pressure. The truth is, I like to put things off until the last minute when a deadline is staring me down and I have to get it done. The pressure of a due date is enough to get me moving and finish the project. 

Faith is sometimes like that. Sometimes there are things that happen that jolt us into the realization that to follow Christ is to live differently; not tomorrow, not next week, but today. Unlike writing a paper, though, it's not about the adrenaline rush and performance under pressure, but the reality that God calls us every day to be different and better than we were the day before. And that is not something we can put off until tomorrow. 

If you'd like to participate in these daily devotions as well, I encourage you to visit www.d365.org/journeytothecross