We had our first youth meeting last Sunday evening.  There were 12 youth and 8 parents in attendance!  It was an awesome group!  Thank you to those who came and participated with your ideas.  Our next meeting will be Sunday evening, August 28th.  Our snacks will be ice cream at the ice cream social.  Youth, please meet in the Family Life Center at 5:30.  We will have some ice cream and then go downstairs to the basement for our meeting.  Hope to see all of y’all there!

Our United Methodist mission statement is “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”  Why is it that we only think of adults upon hearing this statement?  Why do we not think of our youth and young people?  Remember, they are the future of the church.  Without them, there is nothing.  I am reminded of something that the apostle Paul had written to Timothy when he left Timothy in charge of the church.  He said, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young….” (1st Tim. 4:12)  We all do it.  We all tend to look upon our young people at times as not worthy of listening to on certain matters because of their inexperience and lack of knowledge regarding certain things.  But isn’t it our job to teach them?  I believe that sometimes our youth and young people are alot smarter than we give them credit for.  Ever heard that phrase, “Don’t judge until you have walked a mile in their shoes?”  We don’t know someone’s background until we get to know them.   We don’t know their experiences.  Don’t just automatically assume something about someone until you get to know them!  Take the initiative!  Go up to someone you don’t know, introduce yourself to them and invite them to come to worship with you!

Remember, its not about you……. its about them……. “Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”  That’s what its all about.  Whether you are young or old, you are never too young or old to become a disciple of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

See ya Sunday!  Nanette