Youth in April 2012

It's April, and I don't know about how everyone else has been faring but I myself have been enjoying this perfect weather. Even though I manage to inhale a mouthful of pollen whenever I step outside to enjoy it, God's good creation is in full bloom and I feel drawn to the open air. Spring brings the echoes of shouts across the soccer field, and two tribes represented by the Eagle and the Lion square off on the soccer pitch. The pounding of the drums and the buzz of the horns eventually were replaced by the chatter of parents and kids that died down into the night.

This perfect weather frequently brings me outside, and I am "porching" it these days as much as possible. I was "porching it" on Fellini's patio, a Pizza joint in Decatur near Candler Park the other day. Children played around the fountain at the center of the patio as my friend and I were making bets with the family at the table next to us on which child would fall in first as they precariously walked around the top of the fountain wall, pacing laps at a brisk pace and ducking and weaving under the table umbrellas occasionally intruding over the path. The warm spring afternoon echoed with the laughter of the kids as parents would occasionally call over to make sure their children weren't collecting the shiny coins at the bottom. After focusing on the kids and trying to use my mental projections to will a child into the fountain, I noticed something else. There was a family sitting next to me, outside in the clear weather, and their child in a high chair was watching an i-pad. I then looked one table over and saw the same thing, only with more kids. I saw three other kids gathered around two other screens, and I am reminded about how much our world has changed. I could only laugh in amusement. I was both intrigued and a bit disconcerted at the same time - fascinated by the rapid changes coming to the world, yet also thinking that these kids should all be running around the fountain.

I was reminded here that everyone has become plugged in, and with these screens we share a unique platform where we can spread the gospel in certain ways. There are several points to take away from this. 1) An i-pod raffle drawing is a great fundraiser, and we will begin selling raffle tickets for a brand new i-pad this month, so keep your ears open about that. And, 2) I look forward to taking advantage of this in the spring as the youth participate in ministries and fellowship this spring - taking a look at how our stories constantly intersect with the story of the Good News.

One of these trips we will record is our trip into Savannah we are taking on April 13 - 15. We will be staying at a State Park near the Beach, and we will explore the city and her ministries, taking in both the History of the area, enjoying the light of the sun, and witnessing the work of the Son. I am very excited to record how our story and the story of the city come together so we can continue building God's Kingdom.

Peace and God Bless,
—Alex

 

Mission Trip Dates Set!

Attention Youth, Youth Parents, and others in the Church Family - The dates for the 2012 Mission Trip have been set. On Thursday, June 21 - Wednesday, June 27 we will be working at Goodland Academy, an orphan-age in Hugo, Oklahoma (http://www.goodland.org/). Here, we will work on projects and each and play with the kids, as well as exploring some of the parks near the area. The landscape and the culture change quite a bit once you get west of the Mississippi, and it should be really interesting to see the similarities and differ-ences between living there and living in Atlanta.

Let me know ASAP if you are planning on coming on the trip. I am really excited about this opportunity and if you want to come just let me know. (404) 447-0273; barnes.ak@gmail.com.

 

April Youth Schedule

Sunday, April 1:
9:45 -10:55 Sunday School -Easter Crafts
5–7 pm: Youth Group Youth Trip to the Clermont Lounge!

Sunday, April 8:
9:45–10:55 Sunday School
No Youth Group for Easter Sunday

Sunday, February 19:
9:45–10:55 Sunday School
5–7 pm: Youth Group

Friday, April 13 - Sunday, April 15:
Retreat in Savannah

Sunday, April 22:
9:45–10:55 Sunday School
5–7 Youth Group

Sunday, April 29:
9:45–10:55 Sunday School
2–7 Youth Group: Trip to Red Top Mountain & Grilling Out