“I Saw God Today” Middle School Retreat

The Middle School GOOTH attended the Salem Presbytery Middle School Fall Retreat on November 1 and 2, 2008, at Camp Hanes in King, NC. 14 youth and 4 adults attended the event and had a great time. Here are some words from two of our youth who attended:

Sara, 8th grade:

The Camp Hanes Middle School Retreat was really fun. We did energizers and sang songs. Then we had our keynote speaker-Dianna Wright. I really enjoyed her sermons. She had a very unique way of preaching. The theme of the weekend was, “I saw God today.” We had small group time and got to walk all around Camp Hanes and look for places where we saw God. This was fun, because the leaves on the trees at Camp Hanes were at their peak so they were all different colors. It was such a pretty weekend, it was easy to see God. Later that night we had a talent show. From our church, Janeth read a really cool poem and Olivia, Carter, and Meghan sang a song. Then we had the Darty.-(dance/Party) Overall, the Camp Hanes retreat was soooo much fun!

Sammie, 8th grade:

Camp Hanes this year was really fun. I made so many new friends. I learned a lot about how you can see God in other people and things. When we left the retreat I looked at everyone differently not because I had gotten to know them better, but because I noticed some of their wonderful qualities. Even though it was my last middle school retreat I really enjoyed it. And I know everyone else did too.

Singing for THEIR Supper

Here is a reflection about the Singing for Their Supper event sponsored by Salem Presbytery, in the words of a newly-turned 14-year old girl from our middle school group…

Last Sunday the GOOTH attended an event called “Singing for Their Supper” at a Korean church in Greensboro. This event raised awareness for hunger and money for people who live on little income. The evening started with a small meal of rice and beans to show us what it was like only having that as a meal. Then the entertainment started. The first act was a Korean men’s chorus and the songs they sang were in Korean. Then the woman’s chorus joined in creating a choral group. The coolest part about them singing is I learned that in every language there is a word that is pronounced the same way, and that is Amen. Then the next act was an interpretive dance group. After that, a pianist and violinist played a song each. Then played a duet together. Then Bryan McFarland played his guitar and sang. He had created a theme song for this event and that was a highlight of the night for me. Because it was a cool song. Also, another cool thing about Sunday was it was my birthday. There is no other way to celebrate a birthday than with GOOTH. All in all the night was an awesome experience. I learned many things about hunger that I did not know.

Peace out!