Mid-America Regional Youth Retreat

Over 65 High school  youth and adult mentors from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Mid-America Region converged on Union Avenue Christian Church the weekend of Jan. 15 for a retreat focused on the theme of mission and the new year.  Youth gathered for worship, study, and fellowship on Friday night.  Workshop topics included developing leadership skills, incorporating secular music into a faith-filled life, contemplative prayer practices, and the spiritual practice of hospitality.  Friday evening concluded with a worship centered around interactive prayer stations.

On Saturday morning the youth divided up to go out into the city for a variety of mission projects which included sorting food donations at Memorial Blvd. Christian, doing "spring cleaning" at Dignity House (a Neighborhood Houses site) working in the food distribution and  clothing projects of Isaiah 58 Ministries (housed at Compton Hgts. Christian), and painting murals to welcome the spring and summer mission teams who will be using the Urban Mission Inn at Union Avenue Christian.  Lunches were ordered from Food Outreach as way to help that organization's mission to reach out to those living with HIV/AIDS and cancer.   This event was co-sponsored by the churches of the Southeast Gateway Area, Northeast Area, and Ozark Lakes Area of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).