Youth News: Jan 19
Box City is Back in 2023!
Box City began after a group of St James Youth returned from an ELCA National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LA. During their time away, the teens were assigned service projects helping with the devastating results of Hurricane Katrina and the overwhelming number of displaced people within the city. They were inspired by what churches and civic organizations in New Orleans were doing to aid those in housing and food crisis and wanted to bring that energy back to Limerick and the surrounding communities. And Box City was born.
Open to youth in grades 6 through 12, the event creates awareness about the plight of unhoused citizens and food-impoverished families in our communities. Box City simulates a homeless encampment in the church parking lot (yes they sleep in boxes overnight!) with soup kitchen style dinner, service project, prayer, guest speakers and several educational rotations. Youth will get great exposure and opportunity to help support the needs of our neighbors in Pottstown.
This year, we have teamed up with youth leaders from the following churches to organize and plan the event:
Advent Lutheran, Harleysville
Christ Lutheran, Harleysville
Grace Lutheran, Royersford
New Hanover Lutheran
St James, Pottstown
St. Johns, Blue Bell
and …
with support from the SEPA Synod of the ELCA.
We invite teens and their leaders from area churches to help us create this experience and raise funds for a charitable beneficiary. This year our beneficiary will be Pottstown Beacon of Hope, who is raising funds to build a Warming Center in Pottstown. City zoning codes are making it harder for Pottstown churches to provide shelter for displaced people and a dedicated shelter will make a huge difference to those in need. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for PBOH which is about 5% of their total fund goal.
Box City Registration is Open!
Follow the link or scan the QR code to launch our Box City Website. It is full of details about when to arrive, what to bring, costs ($45/student) and necessary forms. If you have more than one student, you can register them all in one transaction. You have the option to pay online or by check. All the details are on the website.
Help Wanted!
Volunteers are also necessary to make Box City run smoothly and safely. We will be reaching out to parents and interested adults from all of our congregations for additional support during the event.
Help Us Raise Funds!
Each youth who attends is asked to find 2 sponsors who will donate to the event. They can take a check, or direct the donor to our Box City website Give page. (Keep track of who you ask on the Donor Form so we can match up donors!) We’ll also be asking our youth ask for congregational support by making announcements in worship services and sitting outdoors at the entrance before each service. …Any donations received while they are stationed outdoors are credited to the kids serving that day! Dates available include: Jan 22, 29, Feb 5, 12, 19, 26 and March 5. (Math it! 7 days * 12 worship services = lots of opportunity!) Don’t forget to ask neighbors, coaches, teachers etc. We believe that through the combined efforts of youth across the synod, we will easily meet our goal and prayerfully exceed it!
Questions?
Reach out to Pastor Chris, Bobbie Hoffman or Janet Hilsmier for help.
Confirmation Classes
Week of January 22: Promised Land
Week of February 12: Judges
Week of February 26: Ruth
ASP Summer Mission Trip
(July 16-22)
It’s not too late to join us for this service trip! Please consider how your participation can help to make a home warmer, safer and drier for individuals living in substandard housing. We currently have 5 youth and 9 adults (9!!) committed to attend! Attendees are responsible for approximately 1/3 of the trip expense, the Mission Fund covers another 1/3 and the last portion is covered through fundraising efforts. Registration links will be sent out soon along with a payment schedule (~$220 per student). If you have questions, please reach out to Bobbie Hoffman or Janet Hilsmier.
Breakfast for Dinner?! Yes! Feb 21 Pancake Dinner
Our ASP mission trip attendees are inviting everyone to join us for dinner on Tuesday, Feb. 21 here at St James to celebrate “Fat Tuesday” and raise funds to support our trip to Appalachia later this summer. Watch for more details soon!