Smithfield UCC Youth Group The 2009 Washington, D.C., mission trip    Dispatch #1: Saturday, August 1; Reporter: Nikela Klinghagen "The youth group got up today at six in the morning to leave for Food & Friends (link to www.foodandfriends.org) at seven-twenty. We took two separate vans and made it there by seven forty-five. We walked through the doors and got a quick history lesson and brief summary of what we were going to do. As we walked up the stairs he gave us a quick tour and told us to wash our hands (again).  "Then he picked three people out of the thirteen to help him, then took the rest of us to another guy, who sent us to the kitchen. In the kitchen we sorted and put together different foods and dinners. We worked from eight to ten-thirty-ish. We had quite a bit of fun while working but, man, did the word 'lunch' sound good! "When we got back to the church [Capitol Hill Presbyterian-Washington Center] we changed and packed our lunch.  "Once that was all said and done we walked to the Metro, got on our train, and went to the mall at Pentagon City. From the Mall we ate lunch and split into groups. The group I was in went and saw all the memorials. We had fun and had an amazing dinner. Our discussion was so different: half Quaker and half UCC. We have an amazing youth group and can't wait to share our adventures." Dispatch #2: Sunday, August 2; Reporter: Sarah Axtell "Today, we enjoyed the chance to sleep late, until 9:30. We packed lunches, got into our Sunday best, and headed out to the Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ. The 2-hour long service was somewhat unexpected, but the sermon was wonderful and the members were extremely friendly and welcomed us with UCC spirit.  "Then, we drove to the Holocaust Museum. At the beginning of our tour through there, we received cards with the names and stories of real people who experienced the Holocaust. Some lived, some died. We went through the main exhibit, and learned much about the hardships and suffering of the Jews and other groups oppressed and tortured by the Nazis. It was an incredible experience. "We returned home for dinner, and walked out for a late-night viewing of the White House exterior.  "There were people sitting on the adjacent street, on a hunger strike to raise awareness for the sorts of violence going on in Iraq. We ended our day with discussions and prayers about the things we had seen, and wrote postcards to the people who have supported this amazing trip. I can't wait to see what's in store for tomorrow." Dispatch #3: Monday, August 3; Reporter: Nikela Klinghagen "Today Liddy got us up at what she said was 7:45, but I think she was bluffing and got us up at six something. We woke up sometime anyway and after we ate breakfast and packed lunches we left the center at nine-thirty. We had to hurry, and we walked to the Justice and Witness office of the UCC, located at the Methodist church building, to find out what they do.  "After a long meeting, every time I closed my eyes I saw food, lots and lots of food, so we stopped and had lunch in a yard by the Capitol building. As we ate, you'd never believe what happened: we looked down the walk and here comes a pigeon walking down the walk like some really important person. Norman tried several times to scare it away, but only once did he succeed. Then, across the grass comes the same pigeon! It was funny. "Then, at twelve, we started to go to the Capitol, and at twelve-twenty we got our tour. At three we went to the DC Central Kitchen. We worked until seven-fifteen and took two subways home.  "At the center we had dinner and then had our group meeting. During the meeting we talked about the days to come, the days that had passed, and, for some random reason, chocolate. It was a fun day!" Dispatch #4: Tuesday, August 4; Reporter: Shavonte Parker
"Today we went to help the Capitol Area Food Bank.
  "We had a lot of fun. After working, we went back to the center to have lunch, and then Miss oh-fabulous-Liddy took us to the Mall.   "Then she took us to a wonderful Chinese restaurant with this great food. Then I, Shavonte, started talking to Chinese people in their own language. Everyone I talked to was very excited! Then we went back to the center and we had Holy Communion. It was fantastic!"  And from Liddy: "Our group returned to Pittsburgh on Wednesday after five action-packed days in our nation's capital. It was a blessing to spend this time with our amazing Smithfield youth as they awakened to the joy of serving others."  Sunday morning, September 20th, the young people hosted a pancake breakfast to thank and honor those who as "Shareholders" provided financial support for the mission trip
Only so many can work in the hot kitchen at one time, so the hallway makes a good place to chill.  Youth Group leader Rebecca reflects: "Looking back at the recent youth group mission trip to Washington, D.C., the idea that God is still speaking is both compelling and clear. As we planned the trip, God spoke through the congregation in its support, both formal and informal, of the youth and this trip. He spoke through the careful planning and anticipation leading up to the trip. Most of all, though, God spoke through the youth and adults during the six days in Washington. He spoke loudly as we prepared meals, packed sacks of groceries, organized food bank shelves, and stacked meals in freezers. He spoke to nonprofits of the selflessness that a group of people can extend when called to do so, and He showed that the whole truly is greater than the sum of its parts. This was our mission – why we traveled to Washington, D.C., in the first place: to help those in need in any way we could. God spoke through the members of the trip loud and clear during those moments, but God also spoke through more subtle moments as well. "God spoke through a kind word shared with a stranger, and a song sung with a friend. He spoke during moments of silent contemplation and reflective speaking. He spoke at the Holocaust Museum and during Holy Communion in the common area. God spoke during the shared preparation of meals and through the fellowship gained in sharing those meals, through laughter and through tears. God spoke a lot, but God also listened. God listened to our prayers, our joys, our frustrations, and our shared experiences. "There was little, if anything, about the mission trip to Washington, D.C., that was easy; not much that is worthwhile happens without struggling at least a little. Being challenged was all part of the trip, but in the midst of that challenge, a common identity began to form, and we got to see just how much we could do with God's help. We even had fun as we listened to God speak and let him speak through our actions. God is certainly still speaking. We heard that lesson loud and clear. The question now is how can God continue to speak through you?" The Washington Seminar Center organized the mission projects. You'll find on its website links to some of the shelters and kitchens the Smithfield team served in.
11/23/09 Copyright © 2006-2008, Smithfield United Church of Christ. All rights reserved. |
– through you and me!