The Aids Experience

Friday night, we have a special opportunity to learn about the African Aids crisis. The "Step Into Africa" tour is making a stop at the Moorestown Presbyterian Church. The event features a youth coffeehouse, with a talk given by a man who grew up an Aids orphan in Africa, and who is now studying in the United States. He will share his story and perform traditional African music. Then we will tour the interactive "Aids Experience" display. The event should be fascinating, and help us understand what just might be the major world crisis of our time.

I can take 8 of you with me in my van. So, get in touch with me if you want to go! (jsanderson@haddonfieldpres.org, 609-280-9596) If we end up with more than 8, we can work on getting some extra drivers. Let me know ASAP if you want to go!

Also, remember that youth group has finished for the year. However, this Sunday is the all-church picnic at Crow's Woods (11:30-3), and June 20th is the 8th-12th grade lock-in! Don't miss it!

Test Your Vocab, Feed the World

Came across a cool website: www.freerice.com. There you can play a free online word game, and for every correct answer you give, 20 grains of rice are donated to fight hunger. Sounds like a small thing, but remember: "We can do no great things, only small things with great love" (Mother Teresa). So far, over a million hungry people have been fed through the site! Add your grains now!

Reminder: Tonight from 5-9pm at Villa Rosa, there is a drop-in program put on by Urban Promise. Hear visitors from Malawi talk about their experiences, learn hip-hop dance with the Urban Promise step team, and eat your favorite pizza!

Also, please email me (jsanderson@haddonfieldpres.org) if you want to go to the coffeehouse night in Moorestown next Friday (the 30th). This is an event to raise awareness of Aids in Africa, and will feature live music by an african aids orphan now living in the US. I want to take a bunch of you, so sign up!

That's all for now...

"Watch for Lightning"

For anyone checking the blog and wondering about our planned outdoor barbecue today, the weather chanel's warning to "watch for lightning" is your answer. We will be watching for the lightning through the windows of fellowship hall. 5-7 pm. see you then.

Put Your Shades On - Summer's Comin'!

And there's lots of stuff on the way!! Unfortunately, most of this stuff didn't make the calendar I published a few weeks ago, so make sure to add these items...

This Sunday is our last official gathering of the school year! We'll be grilling and hanging out on the front lawn of the church. This is an all-ages event- plan to meet at 5pm, and bring something to share (watermelon, chips, brownies, whatever...). All the essentials will be provided (burgers, hot dogs, etc.). Plan to get picked up around 7.

On Thursday, May 22nd, there is a special Urban Promise event at the Villa Rosa Pizza shop on King's Highway. Urban Promise is bringing their "step team" to teach us some hip-hop dance, and we'll also get to meet some visitors from Malawi, Africa. You won't want to miss it.

On Friday night May 30th, there is a special WorldVision Aids awareness night at Moorestown Presbyterian Church. They will have speakers, a band performing, and an amazing exhibit about the Aids crisis in Africa. Youth groups from all over will be going to this, and I'd love to take a van full of you guys along. Please let me know if you're interested in coming!

Even further in the future, mark your calendars for the "Melodies for Myanmar" benefit concert, to take place in our church sanctuary on Sunday evening June 8th. Our own Robyn Bollinger will perform, along with friends and musicians from the Philadelphia symphony. All proceeds will benefit the relief efforts in Myanmar through World Vision.

Finally, I am planning the rescheduled 8th-12th grade lock-in for Friday, June 20th. It appears most of you will be around, so we're going for it! 6th-7th graders, don't worry: your lock-in and other fun events are being planned for later in the summer!

See you all on Sunday...

Lord Have Mercy

As we join the world in praying for China and Myanmar, and struggle with our "why, God?" questions, I thought this reflection was timely:

"God does not explain why there is suffering - God suffers alongside us. God does not explain why there is sorrow- God became the sorrowful one. God does not explain why there is humiliation - God practices self-emptying love. We are no longer alone in our vast loneliness. God is with us. We are no longer in solitude, but rather in solidarity. The arguments from reason are silenced. It is the heart that speaks. It tells of a God who does not ask questions but who acts, who does not offer explanations but lives out an answer." - Leonardo Boff

Please join me in praying for brothers and sisters in Myanmar and China. And make plans now to attend the upcoming Myanmar benefit concert, to be held at our church on Sunday evening, June 8th. All proceeds will go to World Vision, an organization that has had unusual sucess in getting supplies where they are needed in Myanmar.

Two Holidays In One!

Hey Friends!
Bet you didn't realize this Sunday is not one, but TWO holidays! Most of us by now (hopefully) have remembered about Mother's Day. But did you also realize that its Pentecost Sunday, the day we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit? Below, links to cool videos in honor of each special day, from my friends over at the work of the people. (I tried to embed the videos but had no luck for some reason).

Mother's Day video is here.
The Pentecost video is here.

Two cool videos for two very special occasions. Maybe the double dose can make up for the fact that there is no youth group this sunday.

But, speaking of special occasions, I hope everyone is making plans and calling in reservations for Monday night's Restaurant Fundraiser at Tortilla Press restaurant in Collingswood!! This is a chance to eat a yummy dinner, hang out with lots of cool Presbyterians, and support the mission trip to Chicago. You can get directions and menus for the restaurant at their website. Hope to see you there.

Happy Mother's Day/Pentecost,
Jeremy