From the Associate Pastor
In Eugene Peterson’s translation of the Bible, The Message, he translates Psalm 89 verses 19-21 as this, “A long time ago you spoke in a vision, you spoke to your faithful beloved: ‘I've crowned a hero, I chose the best I could find; I found David, my servant, poured holy oil on his head, and I'll keep my hand steadily on him, yes, I'll stick with him through thick and thin.’ ” I can’t help but think of the youth of our church when I read these verses.
It is so hard to be a teenager today. School is demanding, the social scene is complex and parents always seem to be asking for their child to be “more responsible.” Thus, I find it amazing that 22 teenagers would give up a week of “sleeping in” and socializing with friends to travel to another state and do physical labor during their Spring Break. What’s more, I find it amazing that these teens continually open themselves up to be changed by God in the work that they do and the people that they meet.
We had a wonderful trip to Portland, everyone was safe and for the most part, healthy. We worked for amazing organizations and met some fantastic people. There was one evening where the kids went to work for a very conservative religious organization. The evening began with a religious service that included a cross with “blood stains” on it and different types of sin scrolled all over it. The officiate led the group in a high-energy worship based around Jesus saving everyone from the sins of the world. After the service the youth went out with other volunteers to the plaza to help the homeless with basic needs. The youth served beverages and food, painted finger nails and just “hung out” with the homeless. It was amazing work and the youth really enjoyed their evening.
Upon arriving back to our UCC church, however, the youth had a lot to say. They loved the work that they had done that night, but they did not like the theology of the organization they worked with. This led to long discussions about their personal theologies and the religious beliefs of the United Church of Christ. I believe that the youth discovered a new sense of identity and pride in their church after having spent the evening with this other religious group.
People ask why the youth need to go away to do community service. They don’t. They can do a lot of work right here in Sonoma County. But, doing community service is just a small part of the trip. When they go away conversations happen, the youth grow as people and God begins to work through these youth and shape them into the adults that they will become. It is through volunteering for organizations such as the ones in Portland, that the youth can learn to express their own beliefs and see God at work in themselves and in others. God has crowned a hero and to me, our youth are those heroes. Thanks be to God!
Kristen
