My Faith, My Life:
A Teen’s Guide to the Episcopal Church
Jenifer Gamber, the author of My Faith, My Life: A Teen’s Guide to the Episcopal Church, will be at Saint Paul’s on January 31 and February 1, of 2009. Jenifer is a member of the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, PA., and has worked passionately with youth for many years. Jenifer and her husband have two teen age children. Her presentation, along with dialogue from those gathered, is so down to earth, and yet filled with zest and knowledge of teen agers. Many in this diocese have heard Jenifer speak and have read her book.
If you are a youth leader, parents of youth, and for those of you who have affirmed our youth over the years, this Saturday and Sunday is for you. On Sunday, February 1, Jenifer will spend time with our youth. There will be more details as the time draws near, but knowing many of you will want to attend and also have quickly filled calendars, I wanted you to know about this event in advance.
Martha Jones
Director of Christian Formation
Saint Paul’s Youth (SPY) Mission Trip
SPY Heads to West
Virginia to Help Others
At the end of July, eight young people and two adults from St. Paul’s went to Mannington, WV, (about 1 hour south of Morgantown, WV) to be part of a Group Workcamps Foundation mission trip to help the people of that area. Almost 400 people took part in this experience. We arrived on Sunday afternoon and spent the next week getting to know other young people and adults from around the US, helping to repair and/or paint homes, getting to know our homeowners, and most importantly, learning about ourselves and hopefully deepening our relationship with God.
On Sunday evening we were assigned to different work crews that were made up of young people and adults from the various youth groups. Throughout the week, we really got to know our fellow crew members by working with them, sharing meals and devotions with them, and having lots of fun too.
The theme of the week was “Love Out Loud.” Each morning and evening we participated in programs where we learned about putting Christ’s love into action by taking risks, serving others, asking for our talents to be multiplied, forgiving or being forgiven, and trying to make love last.
It was a great week. We worked hard, played hard, made many new friends, and came away with great memories of helping and learning from others. We got to see God’s love being put into action in so many different ways.
Thank you for the opportunity to go on this adventure. We appreciated your prayers and support. The youth are encouraged to go on these trips to help them begin a life of service that will grow with them into adulthood We hope that more young people and adults will want to join us next year. Sunshine Leinbach.
