Maybe you saw our lovely new welcome desk. (It was in the bargain rack at Blockbuster, seriously.) Wouldn't you like to put that desk and your beautiful smile to good use? We have two opportunities for you:

Greeters: Find the new faces, welcome the old and distribute bulletins. Serve 1 to 2 Sundays a month for 20 minutes before the service you attend. We would love for entire families -- and that include kids -- to serve in this way.

Welcome Desk: Provide information, flyers  and most of all a smile. Serve 1 to 2 Sundays mornings a month in one of three 25-minute shifts: 10:00, 10:25 or 11:45.

Interested? Write your contact information and "Greeter" or "Welcome Desk" on your comment card or call Machele Cave at 360-692-6549 ext. 22.

PBF is starting our TLC Program by visiting those in our congregation who are in the hospital. Please call us or email our office so we can make arrangements to provide pastoral care to those facing a health challenge. Click here to email the office.

Life on the streets can be brutal, a lesson learned by 22 PBF youth during last weekend's overnight Homeless Experience event. During the experiential learning weekend, students took part in a game designed to simulate the real-world challenges of those living on the streets. While role playing, youth also pretended they had a problem with addiction or a disability, which are common contributors to homelessness.

"It was eye-opening how cut throat life is on the streets," said participant Josh Nukols, 17. "(As a homeless person) you have to have eyes in the back of your head. You don't know if people are going to take your stuff. I also learned how much of a problem it is to stay on top of an addiction. If I had to take care of an addiction every hour it would make life difficult."

As part of playing the role of a drug or alcohol addict, participants were frequently awakened to simulate the continual need to find more drugs. They also took part in an obstacle course designed to show that taking a person from a place of hopelessness, homelessness and addiction often requires continual contact and investment by a team of community members.

Youth also needed to dig through trash to get the resources they needed and the build shelters. (The trash was previously filtered to prevent injuries.)  They also learned that homeless women are especially vulnerable, and that it's incredibly easy to have your things stolen when you are homeless. 

By the end of the event, the youths have raised more than $750 selling their own items. All money will be donated to the Kitsap Rescue Mission, formerly the Bremerton Rescue Mission.