re:create

Wish List for Christophany Outreach Project

Dear friends of Christophany ,

The youth council has been hard at work preparing an amazing weekend for you in April!  Our theme this year is SPARKED! and we're so excited to bring you some great music from musical guest, Kep Short, great talks and some great adventures in the woods.  The outreach project for this year will be explained in more detail during the Christophany weekend, but the short version is that we are gathering supplies for the middle school mission trip which will be taking place this summer.  Our middle school mission team will be traveling throughout the diocese helping out both people and animals in need.  For them to be able to do their work they will need lots of gear and we want to help give them a "leg up" on their collections. 

Below is a wish list of items you are encouraged to bring to the event.  In years past, some youth have put a box or basket at the back of their church, announced what it's for and asked for parish support.  Then you will be in charge of collecting the box and bringing it with you to Christophany. Please make sure to send this message to your priest and vestry warden so that they can be supportive of this work!

Wish List

Pets

Pocket Pet Food (rabbits, gerbil, fish, birds, etc)
Portable Phone with Caller Id
Dry goods: Cheerios, Raisin Bran, Shredded Wheat, crackers of all kinds, Quaker oats, raisins
Cat food: Purina Dry Cat food, Purina or Friskies moist cat food
Lava dust and Lava Bites for the Chinchillas
Rabbit food: Timothy hay in a bag for the Rabbits
Bird Food: Millet sprays, Zupreme Cockateil and parakeet food
Pig Food: Piggy Chow from Tractor Supply for pot-bellied piggies
Dog Food: Dry and canned food, Milkbones for large dogs
Turkey Food: White/lemon boxes of cake mix to make Birdie Cake
Duck Food: Pellet food from tractor supply
Fresh Produce: Lettuce, apples, bananas, cabbage
Paper products-paper towels and tissues
Warm Blankets for Scooter-About 3-4 blankets for the piggy
Crates and boxes for ease of collection and delivery

Cleaning buckets

5 gallon bucket with resalable lid:  Buckets from fast food restaurants or bakeries can be used if washed and cleaned.  Do not use buckets that have stored chemicals such as paint or pool cleaner.  Advertisements on the outside are acceptable.
liquid laundry detergent: two 25 oz. or one 50 oz. bottles only
liquid household cleaner: 12‐16 oz. liquid cleaner that can be mixed with water: no spray cleaners
dish soap: 16‐28 oz bottle any brand
1 can air freshener: aerosol or pump
1 insect repellant spray: 6‐14 oz. aerosol or spray pump with protective cover
1 scrub brush: no toilet-bowl brushes, plastic or wooden handle (no kitchen or dish brushes)
18 cleaning wipes: handi wipes or reusable wipes: no terry cleaning towels, remove from packaging
7 sponges: remove from wrapper (no cellulose sponges due to mold issue)
5 scouring pads, remove from wrapper (no Brillo, SOS pads or any kind that will rust)
clothespins: remove from packaging
clothes line: two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.,cotton or plastic.
24 roll heavy duty trash bags: remove from the box,30-45 gallon size
5 dust masks
2 pair disposable waterproof gloves,rubber or latex (remove from packaging)
1 pair work gloves: cotton or leather, leather palms necessary

Care kits

Deodorant
Shampoo & conditioner
Body Wash/Soap
Disposable razors
Toilet paper

Thank you in advance for your support of our outreach work!

This Year's Youth Events

Reflections on the Mission Trip

“I learned that this trip was not just about building a ramp or fixing a floor, it was about the impact we could have on the family and the family can have on us.”  

  -Megan

“I was also way out of my comfort zone. Living and working under those conditions was made easier when I compared it to what our host family had to deal with every day. We lived and worked for just five days. Anyone can deal with five days knowing that conditions for us would be back to our normal by Sunday.”           

–Brian

“I've fallen in love with the little things in life and seeing something that reminds me of the mission trip floods my mind with so many memories and feelings.”                  

–Jennifer

“We live with so much benefits compared to them and we complain so much more."

-Matt

“This trip to Logan County, West Virginia had the 9 of us (6 youth and 3 adults) building a free-standing wheelchair ramp for a gentleman with one leg and his two adults sons. In addition to building the ramp we finished the flooring in Simon's bedroom. After putting all the furniture back into his room, Simon was then able to have his bedroom back after about 6 weeks of renovations. Simon was previously staying in the living room, a cramped space for his king sized bed. However, one of the most memorable moments for me was Simon seeing his bedroom for the first time. His comment was not "It looks beautiful. Thanks". He said in his southern drawl, "Where's  my headboard?". Knowing Simon, that comment was not an ungrateful gesture. The unique spirit that Simon possesses causes him to like to bust on people as a means of expressing his love and appreciation. After all, it is awkward for someone who is living in poverty to have a new group of people coming into their home to do free labor. These are people from all walks of life. Just when Simon would get used to a group, they'd leave when their week was finished. A new group would then come strolling in on Monday. How would you express your appreciation? I truly believe that his appreciation was expressed in the picture of Jesus on a belt that he wore every day that we were there. In his head, I do believe he realized that our work was part of a bigger picture, a bigger experience, and a greater love than the hammering and drilling our human bodies are capable of.”

-Anna

Day 7, Friday, July 13

    Our final day at the site started out ominously.  Rain that had started on Thursday night continued all through morning devotionals and breakfast, sometimes dwindling down to almost nothing and sometimes pouring loudly enough to be audible in the gym!  We decided to pack up our gear for the day and then head out into Logan for a scavenger hunt at Walmart.  It was girls vs. boys and I was the judge.  Guess who won?!!

     We got to the work site mid morning and S. and his sons greeted us and we got down to business as we were trying to get as much done before the downpour.    As soon as we had leveled the post holes and braced the posts, it began to rain again.  We ate lunch and as we were debating the wisdom of using the hand saw to finish cutting deck boards J. showed up and helped us formulate a plan of attack.  By the end of the day we had completed the 2^nd deck, leveled (quite a feat when the rain turns the holes into mud) and ready for the deck boards as well as installing the joist hangers and hanging the deck runners.  

    
(after the rain, mud warriors)

     I truly can’t believe how much we labored this week, how many new skills we all learned, how much knowledge we gained about ourselves and one another, how God continued to stretch us beyond what we thought possible.  I am in awe of how the Holy Spirit worked through us, our fellow teams, the family.   B. led us in prayer and  then we said goodbye around the box elder with hugs and tears.

     Friday night EG included a group share from all the teams.  Two hours of sharing stories really drove home how important this kind of work is:  for the youth, the adults who work with them, the families and the communities.  We are blessed and grateful for this week.

 

Day 6, Thursday, July 12

     Today our staff liaison, J., came out to the work site to help us navigate our site problems.  It was wonderful to have an expert advise us on the order of operations and great to see that some things stumped even him.  But J. reminded us to do the best we can with the materials we have and that it’s ok to let go of perfection and enjoy the work.  By the end of the day we had completed moving the furniture back into the master bedroom, cut and installed the deck boards on the first 5x5 and were well on our way to having the next two post holes dug and 5x5 frame built.  We were in a groove-letting go and letting God helped!

     This evening we returned to the center, showered, dressed and picked up our family for the picnic at Logan State Park.  The center staff of four puts together a delicious dinner of hot dogs, hamburgers and all the fixings for more than 70!  Each of the groups invited their families and quite a few were present.  Youth played ninja, volleyball and cards.  Adults from every team had a chance to socialize with all of the families.  Even the deer came!  What a special night!!

Day 5, Wednesday, July 11

     Fatigue set in and we found ourselves short-tempered and slow, still a little disappointed about having to dig 8 postholes instead of 4, unending leveling and planning puzzles.  However, the youth buckled down and pushed through, finishing the 5x5 deck frame.  The inside crew, led by Bobbie Hraba, completed laying the laminate flooring and trim-woohoo!  After lunch the heavens opened and we found ourselves scrambling to collect the tools and pack them into the van.  Gathering on the porch and in the house with our family offered wonderful time to bond in a way we hadn’t had an opportunity to before.  Getting to know the family is as much of our mission as the work on the flooring and ramp.   We left in good spirits, refreshed by the rain and our new friendships.
    This evening we made some new friends at the site from a Methodist Church in Cornwall, NY and played cards until lights out.  
    Oh, did I mention the puppies?!

 

 

Senior High Mission Trip Update

Day 4, Tuesday, July 10^th

     7am wake up call comes with music over the loudspeakers and by 7:15 we’re all dressed and ready for morning devos (devotionals).  The group who led today’s are from Cornwall, NY.  Breakfast was barely swallowed when we had to switch gears to make sandwiches for our lunches, pick up our lumber and head out to our family. S.’s son B. was out and smiling when we got there as was his brother, S., who loves to play us music:  from Johnny Cash to the Soggy Bottom boys! 

     We jumped into the work after sitting under the box elder trading stories with S. , the father.  It was hard to face the work knowing we would have to tear our what we had worked so hard on the day before, but we all had a good attitude and decided to take this as an opportunity to start over:  spiritually and physically.  We had the choice to let our past mistakes cloud our present or use it as a tool for growth.  The crew cheerfully chose the latter!

     We reached our daily goals, inside and out today.  Well, mostly.  We are learning to work slowly, deliberately, with a clear understanding of the next steps.

     One of the most refreshing points of our day was an afternoon break time visiting the puppies at the end of the road.  Oh how the girls begged me to take one home!

    Back at the site, we were treated to a bluegrass band after dinner with dancing and jokes.  Now it’s time for bed and we are all more than ready, and it’s not even 10pm.  Here’s hoping it’s a bit cooler tomorrow!

Day 3, Monday July 9^th

     We were all pretty pumped to meet the family and get started on our work. After breakfast and cleaning the bathrooms (every day each group at the center has one chore) we gathered our lumber and tools from the supply room and headed out to the work site.   ASP requires that prior to the work being started, the crew should spend some time getting to know the family.   When we arrived, S. came out to treat us with his sons and we sat in the shade of a box elder and chatted.  It wasn’t too long before we all began to feel relaxed in the peaceful serenity of the countryside.   After a while, the group split into two:  3 went inside to install laminate flooring in a bedroom and 6 stayed outside to begin digging postholes.  I initially did not have a specific roles and so I  sat down with S. and we chatted about his life and mine. We discovered we have a lot in common: he lives on the same property where he grew up and so do I; we both have four children; and we prefer the country to the city!  The day was over early when we realized that we didn’t have the materials we needed to complete the first phase of the deck and were disappointed to discover that we had sunk the posts too soon and would have to dig new holes the next day.  The outside crew was frustrated but vowed to work more carefully and read ahead in the future.  It was a set back for sure, but we learned a little about how we can work together more effectively! 

     After our first day of work, we decided a treat was in order and went to the local ice cream joint, Dairy Delight.  And what a delight it was: ice cream sundaes, soft serve swirls, milk shakes-mmmmmm! Several of us jogged back to the center to burn off some calories!!!   After dinner we played cards, met some new friends from Delaware and New York and were definitely ready for bed by 10:30 tonight!

Day 2, Sunday July 8^th

      We were on the road again by 7:30 with some of us taking an early nap until midday. Bright sunshine filled Sunday’s travels and despite several unplanned stops, we managed to get into Chapmanville by 2:40, just 40 minutes behind schedule.  But the kids put some pep in their step and we accomplished everything necessary to settle in and get to our new group orientation in time!   We found out that we’d be working for a 75 year old man, S., and his adult sons who lived with him.  S. lost a leg and needed a wheelchair ramp so that he could use his wonderful scooter instead of the crutches.  Our lead construction heads went out to the job site on Sunday night with one of the ASP staff to meet the family and view the construction site. 
We were all pretty tired by Sunday night and one of us fell asleep during EG(evening group).  EG is when all the staff and volunteers get together after dinner for devotionals and reflections on the day.  That first day we all introduced ourselves and got a chance to hear about the other groups.   We were playing human chess until 10:30 but were in bed, lights out by 11pm.

Day 1, Saturday July 7^th

      The mission team met at Trinity Episcopal Church, Mt. Pocono, packed up the van and then paused to walk the labyrinth and write down our hopes, intentions and fears about our week together.  We left earlier than planned in order to beat the weather coming our way and I'm glad we did.  Weather reports for our region that evening were fierce but we encountered nothing but blue skies all day.

     That evening we arrived at Piedmont Episcopal Church in Madison, Virginia and were treated to ice cream, freeze pops and the wonderful hospitality of Susan Good and some of the youth!  We went to bed by 11 am were up and ready for our day by 7.  Breakfast was amazing.  Susan and the folks at Piedmont prepared a lovely spread of homemade muffins, fresh smoothies, toast and baked egg casseroles.  What hospitality!  Before leaving we gathered in the sunroom for a special prayer for travelers and were taught a new prayer by Father Brad.

 

 

Journey

Tomorrow, 6 diocesan youth and 3 adults will be leaving for the mission trip to rural West Virginia.  I am so proud of all the work these young people have done to date:  prayer and devotionals, sales of stocks, phone calls and a multitude of other preparations.  I'm so grateful for how they have all shown how important this kind of work is by choosing to make this mission a priority.  Rather than going on vacation or sleeping in or working for extra cash, they have committed to doing hard, physical labor in a place they have never been, for people they have never met!  (Can you say Evangelism?)
 
We humbly ask for your thoughts and prayers as we share our gifts, talents, time and treasures with others as well as experience another way to be in Christian community.

And, we'll be keeping y'all posted here as we travel!
 
Blessings of peace,

Ellyn Siftar,
Missioner for Youth and Young Adults

High School Mission Trip

Christophany registration opens Friday!

I've been asked several times this past week, " What is Christophany?"  In a nutshell, Christophany is a mini-camp experience for youth in grades 6-12.  But it's also much, much more.  The following is a description that will be available of the new diocesan website which goes live next week:

The Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem’s youth and young adult ministries support a variety of events meant to help foster the spiritual formation of Christians ages 12-30.  Christophany is a three-day retreat in the mountains whose purpose is to bring youth in grades 6-12 closer to Christ.  The word Christophany is derived from “theophany” which is an ancient Greek word meaning “appearance of God”.  Just like Moses in the desert and Jesus at the Transfiguration, we believe that a physical place away from the rest of our lives allows for a unique opportunity to be open to the possibility of being transformed by the appearance of Christ.  Each year we gather in the mountains to experience: the beauty of creation; the company of our peers; quiet moments in the woods; songs around the campfire; games inside and out; worship among the trees; and be open to the Holy Spirit.  In addition, we use this time to focus also on the world in service to others.  Every year the youth council and youth missioner choose a focus for outreach and ministry in the world.  This year we are collecting items that will benefit the parish supported missions such as soup kitchens and food banks.  Hope to see you on the mountain!

Bill Slocumb, Associate Director of Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers writes-

 "Camps are excellent places to not only get back to nature and God’s creation, but to re-align our senses. It is a chance to balance oneself, and to be in an intentional Christian community. Such a time enhances our spiritual life. I hope this encourages you to visit your local church camp soon. Come to “taste and see” how broadening and restorative God’s creation can be." 

The rest of this article can be found here