One of the many great donations to our church auction was a promise by the youth group to spend a few hours helping out someone in need of their energetic and resourceful labor. This promise was fulfilled on Sunday as we traveled to the home of Polly and Keith Jenkins Man to help them begin the process of packing up for their move to Lincoln Commons. The kids climbed up into a small attic space to bring down boxes and other assorted items, and then into an even smaller cubby storage area to do the same. Next were the highest cupboard shelves in the kitchen and finally outside to rescue a beloved garden toad from its frozen spot in the snow. All of this, plus a pizza lunch and fun chocolate sticks for hot cocoa, made for a fabulous and productive afternoon.

In a world where many feel isolated, disconnected, or even invisible, it’s increasingly important for our church to find ways to bring people together. Now that we’ve made it through the pandemic and we’re not forced to look at each other only on computer screens, our in person gatherings feel even more special. Whether we’re at Walden Pond for walking prayer enjoying the company of others in nature, at With Us Wednesdays sharing stories and laughter, or baking pies together for church members who could use some extra cheer this year, the people of WCUC – young, old, and young at heart – are finding comfort and joy in this weary world.

It was a night to remember. Live music, backyard games galore, festive food and drink, and a giant corn maze. Happy to report that all of the youth made it out of the maze before dark. This is one of our favorite annual youth group traditions. Fun for the young and the “young at heart”!

On Friday night, September 8th, the youth gathered in North Hall for their annual Welcome Back Game Night, complete with pizza, ice cream, and of course a few suspenseful rounds of Sardines. (the game, not the fish) We then returned to church on Sunday for our first class of the year to learn about how the early Christians learned to form community and to brainstorm ideas about what makes for a fun, safe, and meaningful community in Youth Group. Kindness, mutual respect, inclusivity, trust, and non-judgement all ranked high among these young people. It is such a gift to be walking with them in faith and in life. Today, I give thanks to God for joyous play, contagious laughter, and friendships, old and new!