Dear friends and members of University UMC:
Today is the Youth Shareholders dinner. This annual tradition is a way for the youth to show their appreciation for the many generous church members who have contributed financially to the youth program. It is also a time for the youth to share about their experiences over the summer including the beach and mission trips. I am so proud of these young people who continue to gather for fellowship and fun, and to learn and serve. In this season when we are without a paid youth director on staff, parents and other volunteers are a great gift and blessing. I am also grateful for many of the staff who have taken on additional tasks so that our youth program continues to thrive. Megan is overseeing the meal preparation for the youth dinner tonight (it’s going to be so yummy!) and Jillian and Cindy will be there to support and assist as well.
Alicia went with me and three of our youth on the mission trip last week. In recent years, our UUMC youth have been participating in “Be the Neighbor” mission trips. This program combines learning and hands on service opportunities as well as time for worship and reflection. Each morning begins with a scripture and devotional and participants and leaders are grounded in these words from John Lewis that we speak every day: “If you come together with a mission, and it’s grounded with love and a sense of community, you can make the impossible possible.”
I leave you with a couple of short videos explaining two of the service projects as well as some pictures from the week. One is Opal’s Farm named after Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth. The farm supplies fresh produce for food insecure persons in the Fort Worth area. The youth worked hard picking tomatoes. The Welman Project’s motto is “Fill a classroom, not a landfill” and collects a great number of items for school teachers to use. These items (such as old games, quilting material, and cardboard) would ordinarily wind up in the trash, but thanks to this organization teachers through Fort Worth and neighboring communities can put their creative energy to use by making useful decorations and props for their classrooms. We were so inspired learning about these and other ministries.
What a joy to be your pastor!
Teresa
