Reconciliation Eyes

Reconciliation can to be a buzz word when it comes to urban ministry but I was reminded once again this past weekend of it's importance.  I am greatly blessed to be in ministry with a team of people who see reconciliation as BOTH being reconciled to God and to each other.  As a team we are continually striving to figure out what being reconciled to each other looks like especially when talking about race.

This weekend we has a guest group come, including my cousins Kory and Alison.  They got to see different parts of the city and ministries that go on here in Chicago, and most importantly they joined our continual conversation about race, privileged, justice and reconciliation.  It is amazing the things we do not see or even understand because we have not had to deal with them in our lives.  Please take a look at Alison's blog post about the weekend and see how God is working to continually reconcile ALL THINGS back to Him.

Jesus' Birthday Party & Last Day!

This Christmas week has been really fun but... we wanted to make sure the kids understood the REAL REASON we celebrate Christmas.  So...we told the nativity story and had Jesus' Birthday Party!

I thought it appropriate to dress as an overly enthusiastic holiday mom

Shannon told the Nativity Story

We mad angel and star ornaments

And we played balloon relay games.

 Last day of Christmas Extravaganza!

Our last day of programming we spent making gingerbread houses.  They were a little difficult to build but the kids did a great job and had a lot of fun!

I give this Christmas 2 thumbs up!!!

Christmas Extravaganza!!! Day 2

snow snoW snOW sNOW SNOW

The Female Staff Members (Nelia & Kristen)

SNOW DAY

I love seeing our kids use their imaginations and have fun!

We Went Ice Skating...

they had to skate to half court and back for the relay

 We Build Snow Men...

Rocky The Snowman

Elliot The Snowman

Frosty The Snowman

 

We Had A Snow Ball Fight...

And made snow angels

And Made Christmas Cards & Snow Flakes!

 

 Can't wait till tomorrow!

Christmas Extravaganza!!!

This week is our CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA!  "What is that?" you ask...well let me tell you...or better yet, let me show you.

Our kids are out of school this week so all week our programing is CHRISTMAS! Today was the first day and we...

Played a Rudolph Relay...

AND WE...

Played a Candy Relay

AND WE...

Decorated Christmas Cookies

Thanks to my Grandma's Cookie Recipe

Don't they look yummy!

AND LASTLY WE...

Played Christmas Bingo!

(Idea of making this comes from my Wonderful Creative Aunt Lori)

 Today was SO FUN and I wanted to share it with you all! Merry Christmas!

CURE

I love being in Chicago and all that comes with it...the city, the community, the church, the people and CURE!  What is Cure? CURE is the Chicago Urban Reconciliation Enterprise.  

I know that God has called me to Chicago at this time of my life and I am continually seeking what it is that he wants me to learn here.  I also know part of me being in Chicago is to broaden my worldview and to learn what it means to truly live out the Gospel.  One aspect of that is reconciliation.  The CURE meetings I have privilege of attending constantly encourage and challenge me in my way of thinking about what true reconciliation looks like in my life and in light of the Gospel of Christ!

Every year CURE puts on a winter conference for teens.  It has been cool to be in the community and hear how the teenagers talk about the CURE conference.  They are very excited to go back this year and highly motivated to raise the support needed to go. 

The theme for this years conference is UN-MASK

Faces tell a lot about people. Look around next time you are in a public place. What do you see in the faces? What emotions do you notice in the eyes, the lips, the brow, the chin and sometimes even the teeth? Don’t stare too long. You might get popped.

On the flip side, others look at you. What are you trying to show? Tough? Happy? Angry? Joy? Love? Defensiveness? Depending on what’s going on that day, maybe all of the above.

Masks are interesting. Sometimes they are used to reflect what’s going on but most of the time they are used to hide who we really are.

Do people see the real you? Do you see the real you? Do you see the reality of others?

Join us at the 2010 CURE Winter Conference as we take a good long look at “masks”.

(If you are interested in giving to CURE to help provide teens with Scholarships for this years conference email me. amyjodawes@gmail.com)

DIVA Princess Induction Party

Tonight was our DIVA Princess induction party and we had a blast!  DIVA Princesses is a girls mentoring program that Kristen (another WYN staff) and I have been working on and developing.  We have spent a lot of time making the program exciting and relevant for the girls by incorporating life skill lessons with activities, scripture, field trips, speakers and fun!

Party food and drinks and Princess cups, plates and napkins!

My head shot! We took head shots of each of the girls that will go on their diva princess membership card.

Kristen and the girls at the picture wall.

Me and the girls at the picture wall.

The Induction Ceremony.  The girls all said the pledge and then Kristen crowned them and gave each girl a purple rose.

We ended the night with a glow stick dance party!

Weekly Programs Start!

Westlawn Youth Network (WYN), where I work, has been through changes in the past year with staffing and programming.  As a result, our program start date was pushed back to have meetings and restructure what this year will look like.  But...I am VERY HAPPY to say that our programs start this week!

Below are the program descriptions form the flier we handed out.


:GIRL SCOUTS:
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

:IMAGINATION STATION:
An imagination is a terrible thing to waste! Boys and girls in PreK through 1st grades need to engage their imaginations through games, stories, crafts, and arts.

:HOMEWORK HELP!:
Homework can be a challenge! This program is designed specifically for homework time.  Staff will be available for questions, resources, and tutoring.  Students without homework will be provided an activity that will engage and challenge them academically.

:OPEN GYM:
Kids need a safe, supervised place to play and Open Gym is designed for just that.  Staff will be available to supervise and play with youth in our beautiful gym.  Youth must be registered to participate.

:DIVA PRINCESSES:
DIVA Princesses is a girls mentoring program that is geared at Developing Inspired Virtuous and Ambitious young ladies through activities, discussions, and field trips.  DIVA Princesses is designed to explore self-esteem, healthy relationships, career and college prep as well as many other life enriching topics.

:JUNIOR HIGH CLUB:
Westlawn Youth Network is looking for leaders. Junior High Club is a weekly gathering of young men and young women who deside to grow in 5 core areas, physically, culturally, spiritually, mentally, and socially.  Each week is a little different, but youth will have dynamic discussions, go on field trips, have snacks, and play games.

Soon, we will be adding more boys programming and High School Club!


Please join me in prayer as we begin our weekly programs! I am excited to see the ways God works and to build relationships through these times.