Youth Ministry

Abraham, Beth and Cerica
Pine Island Church hosted the joint youth group of Pine Island, First, Westminster, North, and Richland Presbyterian Churches Sunday evening at our Hope Garden.  Twenty plus young people participated.  

It was the second youth event this September. Adult leaders gathered the group by the fire circle and oriented newcomers explaining that all are welcomed and appreciated.  These gatherings are for supporting each other through the stress of school, and challenges of growing up.  Stress was acknowledged.  Seniors are working on college applications. There was time for catching up with friends, and play as people gathered.

After some pizza, chips, and fruit, Beth, Cerica and Abraham explained Pine Island's Hope Garden project.  The garden produced this year a little over 3,400 pounds of produce:  potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, green beans, eggplant, okra, squash.  Much of the produce was distributed to families via Ministry with Community.  The group then entered the garden and picked some peppers and beans.  They were introduced to okra.  They weighed the harvested produce and distributed it among some of the families.

Carol Pratt at the weighing post
We were blessed with a sunny warm day.  There was time for kicking around a soccer ball, catching up with friends, roasting marshmallows at the fire ring and just hanging out. 

As hosts, Pine Island provided food and drinks.  Thank you to Beth and Bob Dyer for hosting and organizing the food, Pam Obed who helped greet and park cars, Nick and Carol Pratt for setting up chairs at the fire circle, and guiding the harvesting. 

The group will gather at First Presbyterian Church this Saturday evening, September 29th for a Lock In.  




On Monday I attended the Powder Puff game at Kalamazoo Central.  Cerica played on the senior victorious senior team.  The Seniors won 16 to 0 over the Juniors.  It looked like all had a good time.


Powder Puff Game














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