Lunch and Learn

Not having a teenager in my house just now, I have been somewhat out of the loop when it comes to the nuances of the 13-18 age group. Not for lack of trying, mind you, but without our own personal teen living and breathing in the home, sometimes the Kirkland Dorky-Adult-Radar seems to work overtime with respect to kids with whom we come in contact.

I had a chance this week, however, to redeem myself. In addition to our support of the Trinity Youth groups and South High School Drama program (a talented group of kids, btw), I attended an interesting lunchtime activity on Friday. Presented as a benefit for victims of the Haiti earthquake, the lunch was a chance for teenagers to have an outlet to help and meet other youth. Invitations were sent to Grace Christian School, South Anchorage High, and the Young Life program participants to pay $3 for a simple lunch and "hang-out" time at Trinity.

About ten kids showed up for the hot dog, mac 'n cheese, and soup lunch, during which time they also watched a dvd called Playing for Change, a musical masterpiece featuring known and not-so-known artists in a world-collaborative effort.

Everybody seemed to be having a good time, the food was good, and the snow fell quietly outside. It was a nice break from the daily grind for both kids and adults, and plans have been solidified for a First Friday lunch in March.

And I didn't do anything particularly dorky, after all.

Photos from the Holiday Concert

Chris Thompson, a community blogger for the Anchorage Daily News and one of Trinity's biggest fans sent over some photos he took at our December 13th concert. A tandem effort between the Alaska Jazz Workshop and Trinity's own Worship Band, a crowded house heard incredible sounds and songs throughout the evening concert.

Hosted by Trinity and held in the transformed lobby area, the performance provided Trinity members to attend with non-churched friends or acquaintances, a nice way to introduce people from the surrounding neighborhoods and greater Anchorage area to our going's on. Jazz night was the second in a series of holiday-themed concerts featuring Trinity's incredible 'sound sensations' and some talented young musicians from the community.

It was clear from resounding applause at the end of the show the evening was a complete success. You can read Chris' impressions of the performance on his ADN 'Church Visits' blog, found at the link above, or on the right in our sidebar.

Life is Inside Out This Week

Our family has heard a lot of whining this week. Most of it has come from me, to be perfectly honest. We are undergoing a complete floor replacement, and with it has come a generous amount of dis-placement that regularly threatens to send me into orbit for the chaos. If ever we were literally living "inside out", it would be this week. Our furniture is stacked in a corner, food is boxed up and sitting in my office, and the dining room table is crammed inside the kitchen. Fun? Not so much.

I had an epiphany the other day, however, while visiting with staff at Safe Harbor Inn on Muldoon Road.

I have been working with Safe Harbor in planning Trinity's visit as part of the "30-Minute Service Day" coming up this Sunday, so I communicate fairly regularly with staff, a temporary home for displaced families and others needing an affordable, safe place of residence while receiving other community services.

My frustration at not knowing where my stuff is must pale in comparison to the feeling of helplessness for some of the families who call Safe Harbor "home" for the time being. Some families have boxes and boxes of possessions that sit in cars for lack of space in their hotel-style room. Others keep clothing in suitcases, bikes and toys outside (hoping they will still be there tomorrow). Still others have nothing. And I'm complaining about my completely functional furniture corralled in a corner of my warm and cozy home, waiting for a new floor to be installed?

Humility reigns in my heart, today, as it always seems to whenever I stop running and fussing and fuming long enough to listen to its quiet reminder of blessings.

That's living Inside Out.

Date Night Does It

Hey, youth, this one's for you!

Before you read this post...take 10 seconds to think of something you like to do on a Friday night. Got one? Good.

Ryan Olson here, and I may be taking a big leap on this, but I'm guessing that "spend 3 hours running around with 20+ kids" did not make your list. Maybe it did, and if so, talk to our Children's Ministry director, Megan, immediately, because I am sure she can plug you in somewhere. Like maybe doing VBS at your house this summer...

Anyway, what I'd like to spend a minute reflecting upon is Trinity's Date Night outreach ministry. It may be a shock, but several of the youth, and me, did spend 3 hours running around with 20+ kids last Friday night. We've banded together once a month to give parents a break and allow them the opportunity to spend a few hours alone.

We had six adults and ten youth volunteer their Friday evening with kids from Huffman, Trinity, and all around the Anchorage community. We played tag, went sledding, ate string cheese and goldfish crackers, and even made a dogpile of kids on our student leader, Courtney (always a big hit). We were able to provide an adult/youth contact for every three kids, and each one that showed up encountered something real, worthwhile, and meaningful. Wow.

The next Date Night is Friday, February 26 (parents, register by the 24th via the Trinity web site). Put it on your calendar, youth, and be a part of something Big.

-Ryan Olson, Youth Director