Follow the Star this Advent!

I awoke this morning to the sounds of a singing elf this morning on my clock radio. This was a very strange way to be awakened, especially after the long Thanksgiving break. It made me think about all the different ways the media and the culture portrays the next few weeks to Christmas. There is going to be a lot of silliness (like the singing elf) and messages to buy, buy, buy.

Outside of worship services it seems like we'll have to intentionally cultivate some space for the message of Advent. I wanted to let you know about a resource that can help: Following the Star seeks to provide a safe and meaningful devotional place for youth and young adults during Advent. Writers this year focus on those who followed God in the days and years leading up to Jesus' birth. Check it out--and by all means pass it along to your friends! Here's the link.

Thanks to our friends at The Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary for letting us know about this nifty resource.

Black Friday or Advent?

Thanksgiving Day. Usually the dinner dishes aren't even dry before the conversation switches from "count your blessings" to iPods and DVDs. A few years back my friend John and I decided to do something about it. We passed on shopping that day and rang bells for the Salvation Army instead.

We were happy to invest a day off for that fine organization—especially later in the day when we met another friend at a busy shopping center. We quickly noticed how frantic everyone suddenly seemed. It was all smiles earlier in the day as people fished out some change to contribute to people they might never know. Nobody was smiling as they streamed out of the store carrying bags of gifts. Earlier in the day, a nice postal worker took time out of his busy day to bring out some cups of hot chocolate for my friend and I (we were as cold as we looked). But there was no time to spare in a parking lot on Black Friday. We watched one car repeatedly get cut off as it tried to exit the parking lot. There were lots of car horns and even some yelling.

I am not against shopping and think it is important that we frequent our local merchants during the holiday. But I think we need to be conscious about how we celebrate the holidays:

• When we forget that buying gifts for our loved ones is a privilege not everyone can enjoy.
• When we dread holiday get togethers as just another obligation on an overloaded calendar, rather than a time to enjoy each other's company.
• When we are so fixed on the next bargain that we can't share some courtesy with the people around us. 

My hope and prayer is that we would experience a little less Black Friday and a little more of God's peace this Advent season.

(Oh, and by the way: It's not too late to register for Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center's 4th - 9th grade Advent Retreat, happening the weekend of December 2.)

Happy Thanksgiving

"O Lord, everybody's home,
eating, drinking,
breathing in the Lord.
Now rejoice: the family's all together."

---A traditional grace from Celtic Daily Prayer

Happy Thanksgiving from the Southwestern Conference Youth Ministries Team!

Want to be an elf for a day?

Santa's Secret Shoppe
Saturday, December 10 8:30 am - 1 pm
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 556 East Second St., Jamestown

Joint Neighborhood Project is doing something special for children and their families--and they need the help of Lutheran Youth to make it happen!

At Santaʼs Secret Shoppe, children from low-income families will “shop” for donated gifts for parents and other significant adults in their lives.

Lutheran Youth in grades 7 and up are needed to accompany children through the shoppe, help them select gifts, and wrap presents. It is a practical way to demonstrate the love of Jesus around the conference. And itʼs pretty fun, too!

The Conference Youth Ministry Team will show you what to do, plus spring for pizza afterwards! RSVP to Ian at (716) 720-8584 or ifeastman@yahoo.com.

I received a note today from Barb Hungerford, executive director of Joint Neighborhood Project. In addition to volunteers, JNP is also looking for some donations for Santa's Secret Shoppe:

• Donations of new or gently used gifts for men and women:
• Suggestions for women include dish towels, wallets, purses, perfume, jewelry, notepaper, slippers, nick nacks, bath products, and fleece blankets.
• Suggestions for men include sports related gifts, small tool sets, calculators, flashlights, snacks (soda, chips, nuts, etc.), new socks, pen sets, automotive items, and flip flops.
• Donations of Christmas cookies, wrapping paper, tape, gift bags, and gift boxes.
• Contributions are welcomed so that we can buy gifts that kids will purchase for their parents.

So there are a few ways youth and churches can help out with this event.

Southwest Conference Youth Ministries Team forming

I was blessed to be part of two special events for youth last weekend: an overnighter at Saint Timothy's and the Captive Free concert at Bethel (Jamestown). What made them so special? First of all, both were very well organized, and second, both events were open to other churches in the conference. As a result, youth from SLYM and First Lutheran took part along with young people from Saint Timothy's and Bethel. The youth enjoyed spending time with peers from other churches and I can personally attest as a youth worker how much I enjoyed bringing youth to some ready-made events. (And I will return the favor, too.) There are truly some wonderful opportunities happening for fellowship, sharing, and learning.

Speaking of which, the new Conference Youth Ministry Team is forming--and we want YOU to be a part of it!


It is for young people in grades 9 – 12 and caring adults, too. We're getting together this Saturday, November 19 from 9:00am - 11 am at First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St., Jamestown, to get acquainted and get input into what kind of events we'll put on over the next few months. Come check it out and decide if you want to share your gifts as part of the team!

Your voice matters--and we're a group that can make it happen.

Contact Ian Eastman if you have any questions: (716) 720-8584 or ifeastman@yahoo.com.

P.S. By the way--please pass along this invite if you know of a young person or adult who wants to be a part of some exciting ministry in the conference!

Life support

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
-- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)

"Who is your support system?" was the question put to us late in the week during continuing education at Princeton Theological Seminary. The nature of ministry (as in any helping profession) can be isolating some times. It is common to get so focused on helping others that we neglect to help ourselves sometimes. Appropriate work/life balance, regular rest and recreation, and nurturing relationships all make a big difference. We know that in a time of great crisis and tragedy one of the greatest predictors of recovery is the number of good quality relationships one has. Friends help us bounce back.

It was an interesting exercise, because really, I don't think I've ever made a list of friends and family. Why would I? Relationships just happen, right? I guess the point of the assignment was to think out how intentionally I carved out time and space in my life for people that matter. Not being a social butterfly, I was happy to note that I have a diverse group of supportive friends. I had spent time recently with many on the list. Others, I was sad to realize, I haven't kept in touch with as diligently as I should.

One of my classmates mused aloud, "Who are the people who will be at my funeral?" The words turned out to be somewhat prophetic as I returned home shortly after my brother's death. In my case, many dear friends were there at my brother's funeral to help and show support.

So who is your support group? Who are you supporting? It's worth thinking about. You don't need to be an EMT to offer "life support."

On sharing the gospel

Jim Kast-Keat has such an important reminder for those who minister to youth:

"While I might remember the things I teach...my students will remember the person who taught it. They will remember me long after they remember the words I said. The gospel can never be contained by the words I say but by the trust-centered faith I show my students."

There is much more worth reading and pondering in his article at Immerse Journal. Read it here.

Two great events for youth happening this week!

I don't need to tell you that youth ministry can take a lot of time and effort. So I'd like to remind you about 2 events coming up this week that can save you both. Best of all, these events are happening right here in the Southwestern Conference.

#1. The Youth Group at St. Timothy's Lutheran Church has a Lock-In coming up this Friday, Nov. 11. Details here.

#2. Bethel Lutheran Church (Jamestown) is hosting Captive Free, a contemporary Christian band, this Saturday, Nov. 12. Details here.

It's not too late to involve your youth... These are both ready-made events for churches to collaborate on. It's this kind of cooperation that will benefit youth from throughout the Southwest Conference! And make the lives of caring adults easier by saving us time and effort!

P.S. Remember LCLC's Advent Retreat is coming up next month. Details here.

Middle School on This American Life

It's Saturday morning and I'm easing into my weekend by catching up on podcasts as I cook breakfast. PRI's This American Life offers a fascinating look into the middle school experience. Insightful and worth a listen, but hurry, because I don't think the online link will be up for long.

SLYM Food Drive for Joint Neighborhood Project

The 2nd annual Shared Lutheran Youth Ministry Food Drive for Joint Neighborhood Project is going on through Nov. 9. You can make a donation in the collection boxes this Sunday at Bethel Lutheran Church, First Lutheran Church, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and Immanuel Lutheran Church. On Thursday evening, Nov. 10, the youth group will gather at JNP to fill the pantry with the all food we've collected! Helping the community can be a lot of fun, as the video below demonstrates!