Brothers and Sisters...

     Perhaps you were fortunate enough to grow up in a church that cared about kids being part of the church's ministry; at least enough to provide programs for Junior High and Senior High youth.  I thank God I was.  At Epiphany Lutheran Church in Pleasantville, NJ, I was part of an organization known as Luther League.  In this youth group,  members and friends from our parish found time for fellowship, devotions and service together.  Our adult leaders were faithful witnesses who cared about us and weren't afraid to let us have some teenage fun in the midst of "sharing the faith".  It was at Luther League that I first saw and heard the "Meet the Beatles" record album and turned the pages of MAD magazine; much to the chagrin of my father.  But it was also at that youth group that other significant events in my faith journey occurred.

     I went on my first retreat ever, when our confirmation class stayed for a weekend at Lake Absegami and deepened our awareness of what it meant to follow Jesus.  I attended a South Jersey youth gathering at Saint John's LC in Williamstown where I learned that there were other Lutheran teenagers outside of my congregation.  I participated in a chancel drama about conformity during a youth led service of worship that created quite a stir with some of our adult members.  I helped cover the walls of the upstairs room of the pastor's garage with photos from Life and Look magazine so we could hold coffeehouse gatherings there.  I went Christmas caroling to shut-in members of the congregation which initiated a tradition that continues for me to this day!

     Lord of Life has a long tradition of caring for Junior High (now Middle School) youth and Senior High youth too.  We would not be the caring, vibrant  community of faith that we are without our youth or their leaders.  The energy and passion for learning, serving and celebrating that they bring to our mix of ministry is amazing.  So please keep in prayer those adults who are coaching confirmation (our Middle School youth ministry): Marie Lamb, Erin Gordon, Julie Oakley and Peter Edwardsen.  And remember as well those adults who are working with our Senior High youth: John and Maureen McMichael and Lauren Blum.  And be sure to lift up Tina Leach who is coordinating our Middle School mission trip to Washington, D.C. and Jill Glossner who is directing our Senior High mission trip to a soon-to-be-announced site.

     Lord of Life is committed to ministry with youth and their friends.  Please pray for this ministry, and whenever possible come and participate with us in the multitude of opportunities that we offer.  You can stay "in touch" with this critical facet of our congregation's life by checking the weekend bulletin, reading the LifeLines or perusing the Youth MInistry bulletin board in the narthex or checking our website.  And if you want to share more fully in this facet of our life together, please talk to Pastor Sue or me!

     As I was taught many years ago in my first parish, "youth are not only the future of the church, but they are the church right here and now!"

             -- Your Brother in CHRIST, Pastor David Jones

P. S.  A Personal Prayer Request - After 10 years of living with a diagnosis of LCIS (a pre-cancerous condition), 5 years of tamoxifen, 4 biopsies and numerous mammograms, Renee has decided to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction.  Her surgery is scheduled for Monday, Jan 20 at Cooper Hospital in Camden.  Please keep her (and me) in your prayers as we encounter this challenge together.