How do I live?

Do I live like I BELIEVE that Jesus Christ rose from the dead? What would that look like in my life? What would I feel like? How might I respond to others?

These were questions that came to me recently during a session at a conference with the theme HOPE. Speaker Kenda C. Dean spoke about hope from an eschatalogical tool. She talked about our anxiety and the way we feed it even though we worry about things that are out of our general control. She brought up how the church answers anxiety and that if a church is anxious they are less likely to take risks or grow. That to me sounds like a church in hospice. It is amazing what control irrational thought caused by anxiety can have on people and organizations.

Coming Soon an Advent study so ...WAIT

For the next few Wednesdays for WOW we will be exploring the themes present for advent in 'A Christmas Carol'. The movie is or has been remade with Jim Carrey and in 3D.
We will be exploring the themes of Time, Materalism and Jesus Incarnation.

Hopefully this will be an opportunity for the youth to slow down and focus on something other than school, friends, parents, tests, etc...

Kanuga-A Little Slice of Heaven

So, I had the tremendous opportunity to go to the Princeton Theological Forum on Youth Ministry at Kanuga in Hendersonville, NC. It was a great few days spent on the grounds of this Episcopal retreat and conference center.
I got to pick an extended seminar for three days, and five electives for the days. I mixed it up with practical tips about Sunday School and spiritual elements for myself. I was grateful to the staff of St. James for letting me go and Princeton Theological for affording me the chance and arranging/organizing a worshipful, educated, and delightful conference.

I hope to see some of the friends made at the next one in April at Princeton!

Fall has fallen in the upstate

I LOVE FALL! That is probably not a huge guess since I have lived in many cold weather places. But I just LOVE the wardrobe of fall and the crisp air. I actually started running during this time of the year and I stop once spring comes. Strange yes, true yes.
At any rate, in celebration of the fall month the EYC is going to Skytop Orchards in Hendersonville, NC. It should be a fun day of apple picking, animals, and hayrides. It is suppose to be lovely Sunday afternoon so I know that it will be awesome.

So go out and enjoy the fall weather!

Oh WOW

We completed our first Wednesday night WOW (Worship on Wednesday) night program. We had 13 youth from Middle-High School talking, laughing and discussing their lives. It was a fun night and one that will continue into the spring.

Current Events

A new year is almost underway and with it comes a new gathering opportunity. WOW-Worship on Wednesdays will be a program that involves the EYC (6TH-12TH Grade) to come together and worship. Once the service concludes we will proceed to the youth room in order to discuss topics that are relevant to our youth culture.
For example, one of the topics will be the usage of cell phones and issues of sexting, harassment and cheating coupled with the advantages of safety, ease of use and availability.

I hope that these evenings will be a safe and comfortable place for the youth of St. James to learn some information and to know that they are not alone in the issues that take place in their lives. How do you practice your Christian faith and be a part of things that are counter to that message? We will spend the year figuring it out.

The first WOW is September 2 at 6:30p

Year One

This Friday night at 5:30p the EYC will be going to see Year One. A funny movie staring Jack Black and Micheal Cera, directed by Harold Ramis.
If you or friends are interested in coming, please meet in front of the Cherrydale Theatre at 5:15p, bring funds for movie and snacks.

Hope to see you there!

We will be doing other activities this summer as well, so if you have suggestions please make them known.