Silent Auction Preparation and Pre-Meeting

Request for Youth –

Think about what you can offer for the silent auction. Something that you think members of our church would purchase and use; A service (tutoring, babysitting, garden/yard work, cleaning, setting up something electronic, …) a Product (baked goods, dinner, …)

2 Requests for Parents -

The past few years, Laura Donovan has coordinated the silent auction and has promised to help again this year while training people to take over. Mary and I have agreed to take over coordination for this year and next, but we would like for a few other “younger” parents to be a part of this who can plan on taking it over in the future. If you are interested, or would simply like to know more about what it takes, please come to a planning meeting after the 10:45 service on January 18^th.

Secondly – we are always looking for new ways to enhance the silent auction income – we added some raffle items this past year, we hope to get more gift card donations as they are an easy way for youth to add income to the auction and members to bid on something. We are open to any ideas; one that came to mind for me is offering “daily specials” (like a raffle item or having an auction item with just one day for people to bid.)  If you can think of anything we could add, please email me or reply to this blog post and we can discuss it at the meeting on the 18^th.

Norm Tiedemann (normt@computer.org) and Laura Donovan

Update on Mission Trip Fund Raising

We have had 3 very successful Scone Sundays, baking and selling 25 dozen scones and selling over 10 pounds of coffee each month. Continuing in the spring, we are shifting our sales dates to avoid the holidays and will do sales on January 25^th (Annual Meeting), February 22^nd and March 22^nd and then back to the 3^rd Sunday for April 19^th and May 17^th.

Also we will kick off our biggest fund raiser, the silent auction. An informational meeting will be held at youth fellowship on January 25^th. We will accept auction items from then until February 22^nd. Bidding will take place March 1, 8, 15, and ending on March 22^nd.

As a reminder, to receive full credit for participation in fund raising, all youth must help with 2 scone bakes/sales, each must submit at least one personal auction item and assist at least one day with the silent auction bidding. (Additionally each youth must participate in one “other” activity. There have been a few of these and there will be more this spring. They are announced via the blog and youth facebook page.)
Signup for the known events will be available at the meeting on the 25^th. 
Thanks for your participation in past and future events. If you have any questions, please contact me, Norm Tiedemann (youth mission trip fund raising coordinator) at normt@computer.org

January 4th

Hi all,

Just as a reminder, there is no Explorers or youth group tomorrow, but there is still confirmation. We will be back to normal, next week, January 11th.

Hope you had an enjoyable break!

Thanks,
Sarah

Christmas Break

Hi all,

Hope you are all enjoying your holidays and the days leading up to it! In light of  Christmas and all the busyness that surrounds them, all youth activities will be on hold for awhile. 8th graders in confirmation should return January 4th at the normal 3:30pm time. Explorers and youth group will resume January 11th.

Merry Christmas and see you in the new year!
Sarah

Youth Happenings, December 7, 2014

Hi all,

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! There is no denying we are now in the thick of the holiday season and with it comes lots of activity around church. Here's what to expect this week:

9am Early Worship

9:30am Explorers

10:45am Late Worship

12-2pm In-house service project - Round the table carol sing set-up

Youth participating in the set-up should meet in the social hall following church. We should be done by 2pm and lunch will be provided. 

Looking ahead:

Our annual Christmas Party is on December 14 from 5-7pm. Our potluck worked well last year so we will be repeating it. Please sign-up to bring something with this Google form  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OeMCMV3xah0OkaRkbgmj-8kfGhVdkqSer-C1xvNTq64/viewform?usp=send_form

Additionally, like last year, we will be bringing back white elephant. The holidays can become an expensive time, so we don't want you to spend a dime. Look around your house and find something you no longer use (and no one else in the house uses either), but someone else may be interested in, wrap it up all pretty and bring it along. 

Lastly, a party is just not a party without music. Bring along your favorite holiday music or any music that you feel represents the past year for you no matter how eclectic, just keep it clean.

See you Sunday!

Sarah

Youth Happenings, Sunday, November 23rd

Hi All!

No youth group this Sunday, but morning activities will continue as usual.

9:00am Early Worship

9:30am Explorers in Rex Knowles

10:45pm Late Worship

We will be taking a break for the Thanksgiving holiday, but will come back together in December. Enjoy the weekend "warm-up"!

Thanks,
Sarah

A Message from the Mission Trip Co-Chairs

To all youth and adults going on the youth mission trip to New Jersey in June 2015, please fill out the form below as soon as possible. Ocean County LTRG requires this information and we would like to send it to them sooner rather than later.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EYHFTpIgDmQ-acBEWLi5BVM7xC1NZoNloOh-QqnecgY/viewform?usp=send_form

 

The fifty dollar deposit for youth participating in the mission trip is due to Tom by Sunday, November 23rd. 

Youth Happenings, Sunday, November 9th

Hi All,

Explorers Class 9:30-10:30am

Late Worship 10:45am

Youth Service Project 1-3pm

Confirmation class for 8th graders and their parents 3:30-5:00pm

For this month's service project, we will be headed to Minneapolis to serve the children and families of Mary's Place, a transitional family centered shelter. While there, we will supervise the playroom, a space that is otherwise closed without volunteer groups, but a very important area for kids to let off some steam during their stay at the shelter.  If you would like to go, please meet in the social hall at 12:30 to carpool over there.

See you Sunday!
Sarah

Youth Choir Starts Tonight! Our Youth Choir (a.k.a. “Chapel Choir”) starts tonight, Wednesday, November 5th at Macalester Plymouth from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Students grades 4-12 are welcome to join the choir. No prior experience or music education is necessary to participate—just a desire to learn and a love of singing. Rehearsals will take place in the sanctuary on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Students will sing a wide and diverse range of music. Plus they will learn the fundamentals of voice technique, sight-reading, music theory, history, literature, and discover how music is part of our church and the greater world around us. The Choir will take an active role in our Sunday worship services this year—starting in the upcoming Advent season—and will also  participate in community service work through singing. It’s going to be a wonderful adventure! Come join us for a fun and rewarding music experience! Come to rehearsal tonight for sign up or contact Brad at music@macalester-plymouth.org.   Looking forward to seeing you tonight! -- Dr. Brad Bradshaw, DMA Director of Music Macalester Plymouth United Church 1658 Lincoln Avenue Saint Paul, Minnesota 55105 U.S.A. 612-720-9271 (Mobile) 651-698-8871 (Main)

Time to make a commitment to the 2015 Mission Trip

Greetings

It is time to make a commitment to the 2015 Mission Trip to continue the work of recovery from Super storm Sandy in New Jersey. It may be early, but we need a way for the planners to be able to communicate to our hosts in New Jersey about how many to expect, and make other arrangements.

We need to collect the $50 deposit by November 23, a Sunday. This is technically a nonrefundable deposit, as no refunds ever come from the programs where we participate, but every reasonable effort has been made in the past to refund any deposit in the event the youth is unable to go.

The deposit money will go to securing our spots.

Hope everyone can go, this looks to be a very challenging and interesting week in New Jersey.

Lee

Youth Happenings November 2nd, 2014

Hey Folks:

This Sunday:

Explorers 9:30-10:30am

Youth Group 5:00-7:00pm. Game night. We will be playing board games, so bring one!


Next Sunday (November 9):

Confirmation class for 8th graders 3:30-5:00pm. Parents come too. Parents, if you have not RSVP'd your youth's involvement please do so ASAP by emailing me at tome@macalester-plymouth.org.

Peace,

Tom

Youth Happenings, October 19, 2014

Happy MEA Weekend! In honor of the fact that so many of you do so many neat things on this glorious MN school holiday, there will be No Explorers or youth group this week.

Do, however, plan for the corn maze next week and let me know if you will be there! Here are the details for your scheduling purposes:

Youth Group Corn Maze at the Twin Cities Harvest Festival

Meet: Sunday, October 26th at 3:45 in social hall to assign cars and head out.

Bring: Yourself and $12 for admission.

Return: We will be back at church around 6:30pm

e-mail sarahg@macalester-plymouth.org with questions or to let me know you'll be there.

See you then!
Sarah

Youth Happenings, October 12, 2014

Hi All!

Sunday as usual in the morning, meaning 

9:30am Explorers

10:45am  Late Worship

Post worship, things will be a little different. This Sunday will be the first of many "Service Sundays" this year, meaning we will meet right after worship for a service event in leiu of holding evening youth group.

CROP Walk is this Sunday and we want to have a large youth showing for this fun, outdoor charity event!

Where: St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church (right next to Luther Seminary off Hwy 280). 

When: This Sunday, October 12th at 1pm

How far: There are two options, 2.5 miles or 5 miles. I was thinking 2.5, but am open to 5 if youth are up for it.

How much should be raised: There is no minimum or max. We were asking youth to shoot for $20, but all are welcome no matter the amount raised.

Where does the money go: Proceeds go to helping area food banks, pantries, community gardens, and other hunger initiatives. You can find out more at  http://www.cwsglobal.org/crop-hunger-walk/files/crop-hunger-walk-brochure-pr1126.pdf

What should your child bring: A bag lunch, Good walking shoes, any funds raised, and the following parent consent form, signed.http://www.cwsglobal.org/crop-hunger-walk/files/chwconsentform.pdf

Do I need to register: Yes! Please let me know if you will be attending ASAP as well as setting a fundraising goal 

Youth will meet in the social hall following Sunday worship. We will be tabling  for congregational support until 12:15pm before heading out in cars to St. Anthony Park Lutheran. If you will be joining us, but would like to meet up at SAPL, please let me know ahead of time and come ready with your consent form. 

We will need parent drivers, so if you are available, please let me know. 

Please contact me if you have any questions or to register. 

I look forward to seeing many of you on Sunday!

Sarah

Youth Happenings, October 5, 2014

Hi all,

The air is crisp, leaves are changing, and talk of Homecoming fills our Sunday evenings. This can only mean one thing, it's fall and our program year is in full swing.

This Sunday you can expect:

Explorers Class (Grades 6-8) 9:30-10:30am

Late Worship 10:45am

Youth Fellowship 5-7pm

Mission Trip Meeting for Senior High and their parents 7pm

Looking Ahead:

Big stuff coming up!

This Sunday, be sure to sign up for the CROP Walk to end hunger. The Mac-Plymouth youth group will be forming a team to "End Hunger One Step at a Time" and we want you! Sign up with me, prior to the event either at fellowship or anytime before the event over e-mail. We will meet near the piano in the social hall right after church on October 12th before heading over in car groups to St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church for the walk. The walk begins at 1pm. There may be some sort of food for participants, but bring a bag lunch just in case.

October 19th We will not be holding Youth Programs due to MEA weekend.

October 26th Youth Group Corn Maze Trip

Thanks!
Sarah

This Weekend and a Couple of Mark Your Calendar Events

Hey Folks:

This Sunday we have...

9:30-10:30am Explorer's Class (6th-8th Grade)

5:00-7:00pm Youth Group (6th-12th Grade)

8th Graders....A letter should be on its way to your house giving details about this year's confirmation program. Contact me if you haven't received anything by next week.

2015 Mission Trip....We are going to New Jersey to help with Superstorm Sandy Relief June 13-21st. If this sounds like your kind of thing, there is a parent and youth mission trip meeting at 7pm October 5 (after youth group). Should be a 30-45 minute meeting.

Peace,

Tom

This Sunday... Big Stuff

Hey Folks:

Here's the schedule....

9:15am people who went on the 2014 mission trip meet in the sanctuary to prep for the 9:30am adult forum

9:30am Explorer's Class for grades 6-8

9:30am 2014 Mission Trippers lead Adult Forum

10:15am 2014 Mission Trippers meet in Sanctuary to prep for the Mission Trip Service. If you did not submit something for the booklet there is still a part for you.

5:00-7:00pm Youth Group for Junior and Senior High

We look forward to seeing everyone at something on Sunday!

Tom

Mission Poll: Immediate Attention Required

At the Fall Youth Retreat we discussed our options for the mission trip this year. The one plan that was brought to the group was to work with the Presbyterian Disaster Association in New Jersey for Superstorm Sandy Relief. A host church had been identified as has an organization that will provide work for us to do. 

See more details at http://oceancountyltrg.org

While the majority of the youth present supported the plan, several of the youth were missing and we want to give an opportunity for all to be heard. This poll will be here on the blog, on the youth Facebook page, and circulated through Ed's email list.

Please answer the following by Friday, September 19:

1. If you are planning in participating in the mission trip, do you vote in favor of the Superstorm Sandy relief trip?

2. Which week is more favorable for you: June 13-June 21 or June 20-28?

3. If you wish to participate in the mission trip but are not in favor of the Superstorm Sandy relief trip, are you willing to provide an alternative option by Friday? Helpful details would include lodging, work details, and cost.

Respond to Erica at ericacraddock@gmail.com

Thanks for you attention to this matter:

Tom, Avery, and Erica

On time arrival from the fall retreat

We are on the way back to St. Paul and expect to arrive between 11:45 and noon at the church. Good weather, good community, good weekend. 

Youth Events This Weekend

Hi All:

This weekend, because of the youth retreat there will be no Explorers Class or Youth Group.

Next Weekend: Mission Trip Worship Service at 10:45am! We are also leading the adult forum at 9:30am. By the end of this weekend you will have your part for the service. If you are not coming on the retreat, contact me so that we can make sure your voice is heard in the service.

Peace,

Tom

Retreat Update

Hey All:

The mission trip is right around the corner...

1. Bus boards at 5:30, not 5:00. That was my mistake, sorry. Remember to eat dinner before heading over.

2. Forms and packing list are available on the MPUC website.

And, very important...

Please email me if you are attending and haven't submitted forms or otherwise notified me...we need a head count

My email is:

Tome@macalester-plymouth.org

While on the retreat youth can be reached on my cellphone # which is 612-716-3150.

Looking forward to a great weekend!

Peace,

Tom

Rally Sunday!

Some reminders for this coming Sunday (the 7th):

There will be Explorers at 9:30am for 6-8th graders

Youth Choir is on hold until October after the new music director is in place.

Youth Group (6th-12th grade) meets 5-7pm

Forms for the Fall Retreat  (September 12-14) will be available Sunday Morning. Please bring them to youth group along with payment (cost is $125.00). Ed has also sent form to folks for whom he has an email address. If you did not receive one and would like to have one emailed to you, email me at tome@macalester-plymouth.org.

Good news! We have a full adult team for the retreat. Thank you to all who volunteered.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday!

Tom

Save the Date(s)!

Hey Folks:

It getting to be that time! Please put the following dates on your calendar....

Sunday September 7, 5:00-7:00pm: Youth Group is back! (6-12th grade)

Friday September 12 at 5:30pm to Sunday September 14 at 12:15pm: The Fall Retreat at Pilgrim Point (6th-12th Grade)

Sunday September 21 at 9:30am 2014 Mission Trip Youth lead Adult Ed and then the Mission Trip Worship Service at 10:30am

p.s., we need a techie for getting pictures together for the slideshow and making that happening. Let me know if you are that person.

Sarah and I are both looking forward to a great year with all of you.

Peace,

Tom

Last Pictures from Norm

I have uploaded the last of my pictures from our morning at Second Harvest to the picture site (link to the right). We sorted and boxed up drinks and then got a tour of the facility. When they rebuilt, they added extra space to their frig and freezer and they rent the space to other organizations (as a matter of fact, one of their refrigerators is completely used by a wine distributor.)  The rental income from these coolers completely pays their mortgage expenses.

Arrival at church

We are cruising through Iowa with most of the bus sound asleep. If folks stay asleep we will arrive at church at about 7:30. We might take a short stretch break, which would put us closer to 8:00. 

See you at church. 

Catching up on the bus - part 2

With yesterday afternoon free, a small group of us ventured to the Louisiana State Museum (Presbytere) to visit the exhibit "Living with hurricanes: Katrina and beyond."  After spending the week contemplating the impact of the storm nine years ago, listening to stories about community and cultural rejuvenation, and observing both progress and dormancy it was sobering to experience this exhibit.  One room was a hodgepodge of oral histories, covering everything from everyday heroes in the community, to search and rescue teams, experiences at the Superdome, and stories about futile attempts at evacuation.  Another covered the engineering of the levee system and my camera cannot do justice to the wall-sized computer graphic of the map of New Orleans that showed a timed progression of the levees breaking and subsequent flooding across the area.

I learned about the "Dutch Dialogues," a collaboration between Dutch urban planners/designers, engineers, landscape architects and hydrology experts and their Louisiana counterparts around the idea of "living with water" in a planful way.  If you are interested, visit this website:    http://dutchdialogues.com

The images I'll share remind me of both the devastation (some that is still present) and the rebirth of a great city, one that gets serious when it needs to, but also knows how to NOT take itself too seriously...

This is the side of a house, marked by FEMA after searching the interior.  It indicates the state of the "hazards" inside and if anyone (or any pet - seen here) was found alive or dead.  Several uninhabited structures throughout the city still bear these marks.

These are costumes made out of the blue tarps that covered the roofs of the city after Katrina.  Initially designed for a fundraiser, the "Blue Tarp Costume Fashion Show" held in January, 2006 - these were later donned at Mardis Gras.

Arrival Update

We are making good time on the road home. Really good. It appears we'll be back at MPUC at 7:30am, but stay tuned for updates.

If you know of any parents not reading the blog please pass this along.

Peace,

Tom

What a wonderful experience my first year as a MPUC mission trip chaperone (facilitator, Lee!) has been. I am so proud of this group of youth. I wish upon our return we had the time for us to share with each family what thoughtful, engaged children they have brought into the world -- but I'm pretty sure your tired, grimy kids will want to get right home. So here are some of the traits they've exhibited that I think have made this trip so easy and enjoyable:

Abram: His own man; wry sense of humor; keen observer of those around him.
Lydia: Mature beyond her years; quiet strength -- though I suspect she's less quiet when adults new to the trip aren't around!
Kira: Joie de vivre; loves her family; self-aware and open to learning more.
Amelia: Dancer par excellence who brings joy and energy to those around her.
Paul: Such a thoughtful, kind and talented young man who is trusted by all.
Alec: Our own "Macklemore" with Mamie's faux fur coat, but a young man who brings warmth to any room he's in.
Danny: A hard-working, intense young man blessed with an irreverent sense of silly.
Dani: Holds a wealth of knowledge and the capacity to do so much good in our world.
Lisa: Who doesn't want to be around Lisa? She makes everyone feel like she's their best friend.
Cecelia: It feels like Cecelia has been here always; the group will deeply miss our exchange students.
Nick: He's wrong. He IS a terrific public speaker -- and his observations are worth hearing.
Ryan: I'm not a huge sports fan, but Ryan makes me want to be. Yet he is so much more than that.
Devin: Cares so much about his friends and they know it.
Julia: Wow. To know so much and be so open-minded at such a young age. Can't wait to see what she does with her life.
Lian: I will be reading whatever she writes as an author, because I know she will capture insights unseen by others.
Avery: Her mature, thoughtful observations come when least expected and add a great deal to any conversation. 
Maddy: Leads by example and people want to follow.
Mattie: So deeply conscious of her/our impact on the universe.
Edmund: A creative soul who can make others laugh while also laughing at himself.
Sam: That sparkle in his eye is both love and mischief -- critical additions to any strong team!
Allison: Maturity beyond her years; a solid and reliable team member.
Jimmy: The group felt complete once he arrived.
Ben: Or should I say, "Bane?" What impression can't he do? And what fun he is to be around.
Erika: Everyone looks forward to her being co-chair next year.
Hannah: Nick's "third parent," is what I hear. (And I thought she was just his sister.)
Simon: (Full disclosure -- my son) Watching him learn about the world is one of my greatest pleasures.

That's 26. Everyone accounted for. (Wait a sec! Where's Edmund?) Thank you for allowing me to be part of your world for just a week, kids. It was my distinct pleasure.  ....JulieSB

Catching up on the bus - part 1

The bus ride home is a time for reflection and I realize that there have been some moments missing from our journey.  First, a big shout out to our Cody, WY partners in the RHINO experience.  Their steady presence kept the momentum going at the St. Bernard Project.  And second, it was great to meet and work with Gerald who lived across the street from the SBP house and came to offer a hand almost daily.  A true community project.  Here are some pictures from Thursday's demo experience:

Lydia working like a fiend on the walls and ceiling in the kitchen (watch out below, Ben!)

Ben clearing out the kitchen

Mattie on clean up duty

Daniela prying up tile

Cody, Gerald and "Group Square" waiting patiently for the dumpster...

Hello y'all,
     I'm sorry I've been radio silent. I've planned on blogging every single night this week, and every night I've been too emotional to write anything. As luck would have it that made it so that I had to blog on the night of prayer partners. I've been crying for almost an hour now.  This has been an extremely emotional and meaningful trip. We came into it knowing that we would be doing much different work, expanding our horizons, and that hasn't exactly pleased some people. I think that every single person has a valid opinion, whether I agreed with them or not, and it was so inspiring to hear all of their extremely thoughtful insights. I personally have found this trip to be full of growth and challenges. I had never worked with developmentally disabled people before, and I had a wonderful and challenging experience. Though when pulling weeds in a community garden I had a hard time seeing my impact on those hurt by Katrina, I leave this trip with a new understanding of what community means and why it's so important. I think for a lot of us it was a shock to realize that swinging a hammer is not all we can do for New Orleans. This week I cleared out a house once owned by Mamie DeJean,including all of her clothes and photos, worked in the CRISP permaculture community garden, the Edible Schoolyard garden, the Magnolia Center, and the Second Harvest food bank. I've built some wonderful friendships (don't let me forget Debbie, Kathy, and Robin, my new friends at the Magnolia Center), done some extremely rewarding mission work, and I think I've learned even more about myself. Those are the reasons I go on the mission trip, and I will be driving home satisfied and extremely melancholy.  This church has given me four fabulous years of love, friendship, and new experiences and I know I will never ever forget it. I have loved co-chairing the last two mission trips, and I thank you all so much for the chance to do so. I think that this year has been my favorite mission trip, and I can tell you with the utmost certainty that I love every single person on this trip. Even Lydia. These are wonderful people who are going to do wonderful things, and I am so glad to know all of them. I can't wait to hear about their mission trip next year, and I wish so much I could go with them. This has been a year of a lot of extreme changes, and this is one of the most painful. Goodbye New Orleans, thank you for letting me see even more about you, and good bye youth group. You have been a wonderful constant in my life and I will miss this all so very much. Thanks,
Julia Schafer
P.s: Lily and Daddy: We all say hi, and we miss you both very much. Me especially. I can't wait to come home and see you all. Love you lots.

Devins attempt at blogging

I think for this attempt at blogging, I'm going to list the things that have happened to me because of stupidity this week. Im going to start out with my stupidity to agree to eat extremely spicy salsa on the first day we got to New Orleans. It was not that bad until I walked outside the shop and realized I was only paying attention to my mouth. It is in this mindset that one would be considering jumping into the Mississippi to relieve the pain. Luckily, Alec and Ryan, who had given me the idea to eat the salsa knew what was better for me and took my insalsacated self to a gelato shop. At the time, my whole mouth was numb so the gelato essentially saved my mouth and allowed me to speak properly again. On the bright side, I now know never to do that again so it was a learning experience. The other really incident that really stood out was tom managing to hit me in the jaw with a thrown soda can. At the food bank, Tom had the bright idea of throwing everything on the sorting conveyer belt. This did not work out well as Tom really can not throw anything well. As I bent down to pick up one of Tom's missed throws, his next throw caught me in the jaw. As a disclaimer at the end of this, these were the worst tings that happened to me on this trip so the rest of the trip was generally amazing. 

I got a swell (fake) fur coat this week! Julia gave it to me because she is the best. Ever. It was a great time.
-Alec Lane

Second harvest numbers

The good news is: 2 and 1/2 tons of drinks sorted for distribution. 

The bad news is: lots of sugary sodas and juices. 

A wonderful dinner last night

Last Evening, we were treated to dinner by the Ellis family from the St. Charles Presbyterian Church. And, .... they had a pool.  Wonderful food, lots of fun and great company. (Some pictures, including a group shot of us dressed up are included at the link on the right.)

An Overheard Conversation

Today at the Magnolia Community Center, Tom, Devin and I (Amelia) overheard nurses talking about Hurricane Katrina. There was total chaos; with police and normal people breaking into homes and robbing them. I found out that work places understated the threat of Katrina so workers would stay and work. I found this crazy; with some offices even threatening the loss of a job if people fled. From being from MN, I never thought about how something so catastrophic could tear down the systems that run our lives, leaving only pure anarchy. Over all I was impressed with the peoples will to survive and help other forms of life by putting food out for homeless dogs and cats. Even when our system fails, the care and love we feel for each other never falter.
Just some thoughts,
Amelia

Dance Party

Today we had a major dance party at Magnolia Community Center. It was amazing! All the people   there got really into it and they seemed to enjoy dancing a lot. We created these big circles , where we were holding  hands and dancing together.  We involved everybody and danced to different songs.
Afterwards we got to talk with people in the different working rooms. It was a great experience.

Die letzten zwei Tage im Magnolia Haus waren klasse. Vor allem das Tanzen hat viel Spass gemacht und ich konnte die Freude auf den Gesichtern der Behinderten sehen. Ein rundum perfekter Tag geht zu Ende.

Jeg hadde det utrolig kult i dag. Det var fantastisk å møte disse utrolige menneskene! Jeg lærte så mye fra dem! Det var definitivt en fabelaktig opplevelse! Jeg håper på å ta med meg dette videre i livet og forhåpentligvis jobbe med utviklingshemmede hjemme i Norge. TUSEN TAKK!!!

 - Lisa and Cecilia

Demolition

So today my group was assigned to the demolition crew preparing the house for nxt week's group to fix up. At first I thought "Yay, I get to smash stuff!" but as time went on, I changed my mind, and started to think "Ugh, I have to break down this wall too?" Although I did get to know some of the people from the Wyoming group pretty well. While the work ended up being much more difficult then I had expected, was still fun. (also, I got to complete my dream of smashing stuff with a crowbar) Anyway, the "gentlemen" in the group won't stop making farting noises, so I must go.

TTFN, Ta Ta For Now
                   -Abram D.

From a distance...

Sometimes the distance

gives me clarity, while hope

centers my service

These are the lines that emerged for me after witnessing a profound, diverse, heartfelt and respectful conversation tonight. A youth-led emotional release.  A discussion about distance in space and time, what is service, how do we take our experience back to our local environment, how do we "restore hope" in the small ways and recognize growth in ourselves by shifting out of our comfort zones, how do we witness tragedy and inequity yet find the strength to get up every day and greet the morning and, maybe, one day make a stand...

Who said Wednesdays were for meltdowns?  Clearly Wednesday is for renewal and regrouping...can't wait to see what the next 2 days will bring!

Edible Schoolyard

Magnolia Community Services

CRISP (Community Research Into Sustainable Permaculture)

The satisfaction of destruction.

Lots of walls down. Lots of clean up to go. Waiting for an empty dumpster. 

First out in the morning.

A group of us (turquoise) are already on the road to the Gentilly area of New Orleans for demolition. Yesterday a group cleaned the house by hailing a dumpster full of 9 year old stuff out. Today we start taking down the interior walls. The other 3 groups of youth are just heading to breakfast. 

Norm

Big First Day of Work

As has been clearly explained, today was big.

Not only did we do so much, but we felt so much. The first thing we felt was tired. Knocks on the door at 5:45 meant groans and hurries to get ready. We started the day at the St. Bernard Project headquarters where we were explained the importance of the work we are doing, and the scope of SBP's role in the Katrina recovery. We all shipped off to our respective work sites. For me it was a large garden at a charter school where we pulled weeds for four hours and restored peace to a few rows of vegetables. We ate lunch and bussed over to the Magnolia center for developmentally disabled adults. This was a very new experience for me and a huge step out of my comfort zone. I wanted to be friendly and offer my companionship, while trying very hard not to be condescending because I know how it feels to be on the other end of that. The ice was broken and a few of us worked with some of the adults using paint and stamps to make wrapping paper. There were a lot of great characters at Magnolia and I look forward to hopefully seeing them again tomorrow. At the end of the day (as has been extensively covered) we took the prayer tour. Now while you might be sick of hearing about it, i would like to give my perspective on the tour. We essentially drove around the city and stopped at a few different places that are integral in the Katrina story and the New Orleans experience. First we stopped at the Superdome, where thousands sought refuge in the aftermath of the storm. While it was explained that the dome and the team became beacons of hope after Katrina I felt completely separated from the emotions that the place evoked for the locals. Next we stopped at the place where the levee broke on the lower 9th ward. This was extraordinary, and as I remarked, it was probably the most important wall I have ever seen. This stop and the driving around in the lower 9th gave me insight on the impact that Katrina truly had and how much still had to be done. I thought I knew before we left that there was more to be done, but it was nothing like actually seeing it. Throughout the tour I had one of the longest deep conversations of my life with Paul about what we were seeing, and what impact we had on it. Our final stop, as you have heard the most about. Was at St. Anne's Episcopal church, where right out front they had a wall, with a list of all of the people that had been murdered in New Orleans since 2007 I believe. Each year encompassed four long columns of names, dates, ages, and causes. It was horrible, truly horrible. You saw: 32 shot. 58 shot. 0 shot. 2 abuse. In addition to the printed out walls there was a cardboard wall for this year, 2014. It was the first thing I saw and it literally took my breath away. It was so long, and the realization that we are not even halfway into the 6th month of the year. Four or five people died two days ago. That was emotional for me. And I agree with Lian. I can't possibly understand, but for me just knowing was enough to make me cry. Knowing that this happened, was happening. Kids losing parents, parents losing their kids. Once we got back on the bus I wrote a poem in my head:

It is Tuesday, June 10th, 2014
And on the wall at St. Anne's
There are 72 names
I wear my tears on my face
For those 72
On the wall at St. Anne's

Sending lots of love back home,
Ben