We are back! With HUGE thanks to adult advisors Debbie Fallehy and Niki Hicks, the youth group returned safely from their trip to Chicago (and for many of them, a trip to Indiana as well). It was an epic adventure, and we used just about every possible form of transportation. We flew there and took Amtrak home, had lots of public transit adventures on buses and trains while in Chicago, and once, when thunderstorms and floods threatened to close the trains, Rev. Beth Brown rounded up a herd of friendly drivers from her congregation at Lincoln Park Presbyterian and got us all safely to our destination.
Please come to church on Sunday to hear some of the teenage travelers present their thoughts and reflections. Some went to Triennium at Purdue University and found themselves asking big faith questions and re-thinking what it means to be Presbyterian. Some served at food pantries for people with HIV/AIDS or at shelters for homeless teenagers. Some took over a restaurant for a day and made 300+ meals for people in need. Some sang and danced and played Bingo at an care facility for the elderly. Almost all got to play with children in a free summer camp program, and to work in a community garden (some with power tools!). Some re-thought their career goals, some got incredibly inspired, some spent a night fasting and thinking about hunger, and many got emotionally stretched by the experience.
All of us got very wet in massive thunderstorms, got hot and sweaty and exhausted touring around Chicago, enjoyed deep dish pizza, and gaped at the scenery as we wound our way home the long way on Amtrak. All of us got closer to God and to one another. And all of us are grateful to you for your extravagant support! Through your participation in our fundraisers, you matched every dollar the youth and their families contributed.
See you Sunday night for more.
Blessings,
Talitha
