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What’s Happening in the A.M. …Â
Right now the A.M. (Arche Mueo) meeting is exploring the identity of the Christian Church.  We’re discussing topics like: What is the Church, How does the Church live, Where does the Church go, and How do we fit into it? We are also looking at a few passages of Jesus’ message in the Gospels (Mark 4:30-32, Matt. 5:1-12, and Matt. 4:17/Mark 1:15).Â
One of the ways that we are experiencing the Scripture is through an ancient Spiritual Discipline called Lectio Divina. We read the scripture with open ears and open hearts and listen to what it is God may be revealing through it. By using this discipline as a spring board for exploration, we are open to God moving in very personal and relational ways.
 A.M. meets every Sunday morning at 10am in the Youth Room in the downstairs of the Parish Hall.
(O)THERÂ NEWSÂ
Musings on the Apple Crisp Overnight
Monday, November 24 -
This weekend was the annual Apple Crisp Overnight during which the Youth baked fifty apple crisp pies to be sold for Thanksgiving desserts. This year, like all the rest, was a great success!
On Saturday evening, starting at 5:30, we took 300 Granny Smith apples, 48 sticks of butter, 200 oz. of rolled oats, and 15 lbs. of sugar and got to work! I must admit that at first I was stressing about the future of our pies. I had no idea if my recipe was correct and I had no clue how we were going to bake fifty pies in two ovens! Luckily I was working in a kitchen full of iron chefs! Still, my angst was confirmed when our first batch of delicious pie topping turned out more like wood glue! I panicked. I thought that I messed up the recipe and I had no idea how to improvise. But with the help of Bonnie, Karen and Alex we figured out the perfect proportions for a delicious, crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth topping for our pies and we were on our way to finishing our first dozen!
The only problem was that we were creating quite a mess in the process. This was not enjoyable for me - a type A personality obessed with being neat and clean! Luckily the youth taught me a thing or two about living with messes. My conversion moment came when I noticed Karen Irvine shoveling sugar on to the trays of apples with all disregard for counter space or sticky floors! Her hands were covered in sugar and cinnamon and she didn’t care! That was when I realized that “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!” So I did and we made a mess!
As we continued to peel and slice apple after apple we accrued a nice pile of apple skins that, believe it or not, make great food fight ammo. It started innocently enough. An apple peel here, a peel there. But as soon as an entire handful went flying we knew it was on. It all happened so quickly that I’m not sure who won and who lost, but I know that everyone was feeling a bit less stressed after that!
4 hours, 300 apples, and 3 playlists later, we finished putting together the pies and continued sending them to the oven for baking. By the time I took the last pie out of the oven it was 1:30am! It was a long night and a lot of hard work. But the next day we sold almost all of the pies to our parish community and we know that they will enjoy them because we ate a few ourselves!
Thanks to all of you who participated and helped me learn how to bake and appreciate a dirty kitchen!
- Josh
The Other Carpenter
Saturday, November 8 -
Many members from Saint Christopher’s YOUTH traveled to West Philadelphia to help rebuild housing for home owners in need. Teaming up with The Other Carpenter, a non-profit organization directed by David Heaton, we made connections with some people in the East Parkside area of West Philly. Our tasks included putting up new dry-wall, tearing down dilapidated structure, and rebuilding two front porch roofs. Check out the photos below to see the St. Chris YOUTH in action.
Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins!Â
Sunday, October 26 - Some frightening photos from our pumpking carving day!Â
CROP WALK 2008
Monday, October 20 -
The CROP WALK was yesterday. It could not have been a more beautiful day! God is good. We had a great time walking around the Mainline area while raising money for a worthy cause.
We raised $450 to help fight global famine and poverty! It was awesome. All of our money is going to a number of organizations that contribute directly to people and other resources to help our brothers and sisters across the world - especially those in developin nations.
In addition to walking we wrote a few letters to Senator Spector to pressure him and the senate to pass legislation that would hold America accountable to help other developing nations.
For more info on all of this stuff, go here:
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/
Joshua Walters, Youth Ministry
Email: youth@saintchristophers.org
Cell #: 585 610 8997
Joshua is a 2006 graduate of Houghton College and holds a BS degree in Physical Education. He is currently a student at Palmer Theological Seminary where he is obtaining a Master’s of Divinity. After moving to Philadelphia in June, Joshua came to St. Christopher’s by way of a coincidental connection through WePAC, a non-profit organization in W. Philly. Soon after, he was added to the staff in August, 2008.
 Joshua spent the last two years living in Buffalo, NY. There he taught a variety of subjects in the Williamsville School District. In addition, Joshua has worked for years with a number of youth sports leagues in WNY.
Reading theology, playing sports, telecaster twang, and a good cup of coffee are all things that Josh loves. Go Sabres!