April 2008

G.R.A.C.E. News: Intentional Community Sightings Within

By Nancy Stevens

Since our program year started back in September, our Octagon articles have focused on intentional community and how bringing people together of all ages in what we do here at FPC helps us become that intentional community. Our G.R.A.C.E youth group is getting ready to do the 30 hour famine as a community and I felt it was appropriate to talk about the hearts of the community of youth we have here at FPC. So, for this edition, I would like to focus on three particular events that characterize how truly special our G.R.A.C.E youth are.

The 1-2-3 World dinner held on February 10 was a shining example of how passionate our teenagers are about starving children around the world and how they intend to make a difference. Christine Beauchene, Jessica Bowden and Matt Sparacino spearheaded the event, which was intended to raise awareness of just how many children die from hunger, as well as show how we can actually do something about it. These three individuals, juniors and seniors in arguably the best and most demanding high school system in the country, devoted hours of their time, love and energy to make a difference in the lives of children who need them. Somehow they get the fact that the awareness of the grave reality of children around the world comes with a responsibility to actually do something. As they say themselves, “That is what Jesus would do.” Following their lead, the youth group will be going hungry for 30 hours to raise money for children around the world.

On March 9, as part of youth group, we had an interactive prayer activity called Experiencing Jesus’ Passion. There were eight stations where students paused to reflect on the steps Jesus took on his way to the cross. None of the adult leaders realized the full impact this would have on those who experienced it. From ages 10 to 18, all expressed how moving and powerful it was. Who knew that 40 crazy young people (crazy in a good way) could settle their hearts, minds and hormones, open their very souls and spend time with their Savior? Well, now we know. They went through the stations in their small groups and not a word was spoken. As we de-briefed them after the experience, we realized that their hearts are open to the one who paid the price for us all and they are willing to share their hearts with their leaders and their peers.

The last event I would like to highlight is one we all take a particular interest in this time of year, and that is Easter. On Easter morning, the confirmation class led our congregation for our Easter sunrise service, which was followed by our annual Easter breakfast fundraiser for our mission trip. All of this happens every year. We have sleepy teens who get here before dawn and dutifully go through the process of leading worship – or so we thought. This has become a community of teenagers supporting one another in ministry far beyond the leading of a service. Our confirmation class has 12 wonderful students who were all here that morning, along with at least nine other youth group members supporting them and helping them lead. Sam Brinton, Jack Henderson, Brian Hess and Joshua Stevens provided support by playing guitars, drums and marimba while Carleigh and Lesleigh Dunbar, Amy Pacholski and Jillian Fitzpatrick led in song. I would venture to say that there are not many places on the planet that have teenagers willing to put in that much rehearsal time, much less arriving on Easter morning at 5:30 a.m. for a service. But we do. That service and support is a part of their hearts and who they are.

As I reflect on our church’s mission and ministry, I realize that our teenagers are already a vital part of what goes on inside and outside our walls. They are being nurtured by a team of adults who love them and sacrifice numerous hours of their time so relationships can grow. Our teenagers are in turn nurturing. They are nurturing others in community by being there for one another no matter the cost. And even though we are all still human and don’t always get it right, this is the type of love and community that makes God smile. That is Kingdom living.