MLK Weekend Activities
We do not have Sunday Night YM this week because of the long MLK weekend. Enjoy some family time, but also take a few minutes to reflect on the messages from Reverend Doctor King.
Please choose one of these MLK Day family activities and take 7 minutes to listen to the "I Have a Dream" speech.
MLK activities for the family
Make Hygiene Kits for the Homeless
Drop the Hygiene kits with personal care items to the outreach centers in Midland and Saginaw counties.
Remember Service Men & Women
Send care packages to deployed troops, veterans, and wounded soldiers. Write a letter of gratitude for their service, and include snack and personal care items. Check out Operation Gratitude and Give 2 The Troops organizations to learn where to send your care packages.
Send care packages to deployed troops, veterans, and wounded soldiers. Write a letter of gratitude for their service, and include snack and personal care items. Check out Operation Gratitude and Give 2 The Troops organizations to learn where to send your care packages.
Adopt A Park
Decide on a park to adopt. Grab some trash bags and pick up trash to beautify the park. Getting outside to care for the environment is a great way spend a few hours.
Decide on a park to adopt. Grab some trash bags and pick up trash to beautify the park. Getting outside to care for the environment is a great way spend a few hours.
Donate Old Linens to an Animal Shelter
Linen closets are often overloaded with too many worn out items. Donate old bath towels, blankets, and sheets to your local animal shelter. These household items are used for bedding, clean up and keeping the animals warm.
Linen closets are often overloaded with too many worn out items. Donate old bath towels, blankets, and sheets to your local animal shelter. These household items are used for bedding, clean up and keeping the animals warm.
Upcoming events and programs
January 16th: NO Sunday Night YM (MLK weekend)
January 17th: Y2Y team trip to Camp Rotary 9-2pm
Music you should know!
In a slight departure from the traditional Christian music, this week I chose one of the most inspirational pop songs from the past 5 years, Rise Up by Andra Day. This amazing ballad makes me want to get out of bed and run through a wall for God and for others. While we do not all share the same struggles, we share the commonality of pain and days when we do not think we are enough, could never be enough, or cannot possibly go on.
In light of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this song takes on new meaning as one of persistence and perseverance.
James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
The Synod
The bishops and the Church are set to begin the 2021-23 Synod. So what is a synod? You will hear much more about this in the coming months and year, but at face value, the synod is a gather of church leaders. The purpose of this gathering is to convene, listen, reflect, and ultimately proceed with the course of the church based on what has been discerned.
Think of the synod like this. We, the church (us), are all on a journey together. As we walk this journey, we find ourselves either in step with others in the church, or drifting apart. The synod affords us a chance to rejoin our steps.
As the process begins, let us pray for a strong, open process led by the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Justin Rose
High School Youth Minister
Blessed Sacrament