Be the change you want to see in the world

First things first, we (local youth and adults who attended the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering) would like to thank our home churches and community for the financial and prayer support that helped get us to and carried us throughout our trip to New Orleans from July 18-23.

For five fast-paced days we were at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA. During our time there, we practiced peacemaking, justice and christian discipleship. We we challenged by the human struggles still being dealt with by the people of New Orleans, were excited to hear church and world leaders like Bishop Hanson, Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber and Shane Claiborne speak and dance

and sing with the many amazing musicians that performed at the Super Dome. In the Convention Center we

we challenged to seek out ways to peace in our communities, schools, families and churches by learning more

ways to serve others. We shared wonderful meals and southern hospitality together, walked many miles in the

Louisiana rain, sun and heat, and learned how to navigate the trolley system when our feet needed a rest. On our service day, we learned more about the long-lasting effects of slavery and were asked to use our cultural and economic privileges to help those who have less power.

The trip was a whirlwind of activity that was taken in by our local CALY group: Chautauqua Area Lutheran Youth.

Our group included 16 people from five different Lutheran Churches in our county: Bethel, Immanuel, Holy Trinity,

St. Timothy and First Lutheran. These are the people in our group that witnessed the sights, sounds, and story of

New Orleans and the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering: Julie Bihler, Darcy Whitney, Ian Eastman, Tara Eastman, T.J. Bihler, Bradley Bihler, Nathan Saar, Sophie White, Emily Whitney, Kirsten Magnuson, Emily Magnuson, Caylee Shelters, Nigel Eastman, Jeremy Hatfield, Sean Kilmartin and Danielle Guichard.

The stories from this experience are just starting to settle. Please ask about how we saw Jesus during this trip -

we'd love to tell you all about it!

A song we learned in worship this last week went like this, "I want my life, to make a difference. I want my life

to make a change." May the words of this song, our experience in New Orleans and our faith in God help us to

make a difference in our lifetime. May theses things help us to remember God's purpose and call to serve others. Help us to be the change we want and need to see - everywhere we go.

PS. The gathering this year was a group of 38,000 Lutheran youth and adult leaders. In 2015, it's been announced that the National Youth Gathering will be held in Detroit, Michigan. We cant' wait to see all 38,000 of you again in Rock City!

Sunny and rainy day friends

There are two kinds of friends in the world: Sunny day friends and rainy day friends. This is a statement that my Mom used to remind me of when I was in the midst of drama or conflict with one school friend of another. There are lots of people that we define as friends, but they are really acquaintances. Two men were out hunting in the northern U.S. Suddenly one yelled and the other looked up to see a grizzly charging them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his friend anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't outrun a grizzly bear?" "I don't have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to outrun you!" This story is funny, but it does help define the distinct difference between a rainy day friend and a sunny day friend. The sunny-day-friend is more concerned with watching out for their own health and wellness, than their friends' wellbeing. On the other hand, a rainy day friend is willing to take risks, work fo

FCE - Dog stroke in spine

Kahlúa is our 15 year old dog that we adopted from the Humane Society when she was four. She joined our family and has been with us for eleven years so far. This morning we found her laying on the carpet in the dining room and was unable to get up and go outside. After letting her rest for a few hours, I gave her some bread to eat and she got up. She was wobbly so I scooped her up and took her outside to go to the bathroom. She managed to remain standing for a few minutes, but was back down quickly. Her back legs did not want to support her even though she was trying to walk. By this point, she had begin to cry so I called the vet and they said to bring her in for an evaluation. My kids and I tearfully wrapped her up in a blanket and drove to the vet. It seemed as if we were sitting in the waiting room forever. The vet told me that her heart, eye function, and lungs were great - also taking into consideration her age of 15! The problem seemed to be FCE - firocartilanginous embolism: w

Gifts we have to give

So often people will think of the areas of life that they fall short or what may need some improvement. I think there is some wisdom in knowing where we need some work as humans, but I also feel it is equally important to learn, foster and use the gifts each one of us are instilled with. So here is the challenge or question that I'd like to present: "What gift(s) has God given to you that can be used in the care and ministry of loving others?" How have you seen that gift used in the past? How would you like to use it? If you dream big and I dream big together - how could God work in that big pool of gifts in the lives of others??? Let's share our gifts today and dream of what they can accomplish for God's purpose! 1 Peter 4:8-10 (New International Version) 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,

Uphill idealist

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