This Sunday I had an energetic meeting with a committee of youth who have volunteered to work on a proposal for the SEED grant from the Pilgrimage. These youth are incredibly thoughtful, realistic, detail oriented, and forward thinking. We discussed what good we might do with a $500 grant that could have an impact on homelessness and poverty related issues in our community as well as gain church and community involvement and support. The proposal going to the Pilgrimage and before our church committees and Session consists of 3 parts:
Part 1: They will use the grant money to purchase canvasses which will then be passed out to various groups and individuals within the congregation. These groups will create art based on how they see God. The canvasses will then be part of a silent auction that will kick off the night of Part 2 and run through Advent ending on Christmas Eve.
Part 2: the Acappella Warm-Up. This Acappella concert will hopefully include musical groups from their high schools, UNC, and individual groups of high school students. There would be a suggested donation to attend. During the show, the youth would read facts about homelessness and poverty in the Chapel Hill community helping to make the attendees more aware of the realities this community face.
Part 3: The money raised by the Acappella Warm-Up and the Silent Auction will go toward the purchase of coats and blankets for those who are cold this winter.
Our youth have taken notice of individuals living in the woods at 15-501 without warm blankets or sleeping bags and are also well aware of other teenagers who come to school in the dead of winter with only a long sleeved shirt. Our incredible youth not only have a warm coat to wear but usually wear a new coat each winter reflecting the latest styles. They take their seriously the responsibility that comes with being part of the "haves".
Our SEED committee mobilized quickly and began creating to-do lists and delegating tasks. They brainstormed how to get others involved that aren't members of UPC, they began thinking about how to advertise using the internet. They are energized and excited about using their talents to help others. Our youth are incredibly musical and they understand that their voice and talents are gifts from God. They jump at the chance to use what they have to make a difference in their community. In this season of stewardship, these youth are leading by example and sharing their time and talents for God's purpose, not their own. While the youth wait for Session approval, they are working to lay groundwork for this project and I have no doubt that these amazing, dedicated teens will make it a success!
Part 1: They will use the grant money to purchase canvasses which will then be passed out to various groups and individuals within the congregation. These groups will create art based on how they see God. The canvasses will then be part of a silent auction that will kick off the night of Part 2 and run through Advent ending on Christmas Eve.
Part 2: the Acappella Warm-Up. This Acappella concert will hopefully include musical groups from their high schools, UNC, and individual groups of high school students. There would be a suggested donation to attend. During the show, the youth would read facts about homelessness and poverty in the Chapel Hill community helping to make the attendees more aware of the realities this community face.
Part 3: The money raised by the Acappella Warm-Up and the Silent Auction will go toward the purchase of coats and blankets for those who are cold this winter.
Our youth have taken notice of individuals living in the woods at 15-501 without warm blankets or sleeping bags and are also well aware of other teenagers who come to school in the dead of winter with only a long sleeved shirt. Our incredible youth not only have a warm coat to wear but usually wear a new coat each winter reflecting the latest styles. They take their seriously the responsibility that comes with being part of the "haves".
Our SEED committee mobilized quickly and began creating to-do lists and delegating tasks. They brainstormed how to get others involved that aren't members of UPC, they began thinking about how to advertise using the internet. They are energized and excited about using their talents to help others. Our youth are incredibly musical and they understand that their voice and talents are gifts from God. They jump at the chance to use what they have to make a difference in their community. In this season of stewardship, these youth are leading by example and sharing their time and talents for God's purpose, not their own. While the youth wait for Session approval, they are working to lay groundwork for this project and I have no doubt that these amazing, dedicated teens will make it a success!
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