The marriage equality symbol has become quite a famous icon in the Facebook world. And youth have asked and wondered what this symbol means and why people are putting it as their Facebook picture. This is a vibrant conversation that continues to happen in the United Methodist church with people who love Jesus on both sides of the issue.
Here is what we want to do at our next UMYF. We want to talk about this issue in a healthy way. We want to see where youth are and what they think about it. Then talk about the way that Jesus has called us to live. The epitome of Jesus' mission is to love others as Christ has loved us. Often times these issues are lost in the midst of such a divisive debate.
What we will not do is engrain a certain perspective in your youth! I believe in helping youth come to a place where they develop a faith and value system that they take ownership of and to hopefully be a helpful part of the conversation.
We also have some awesome teachings coming up as well. April 21st we will talk about "Money,Money!." What a youth does with their money matters! Youth are really good at SPENDING YOUR money! But could they actually start living out some fundamental financial principles even being in the 6th grade. Richard Cassidy will be leading that discussion.
And then we will take the last few weeks of the semester and talk about the Bullying epidemic.
As I think about the issues of marriage equality, money, and bullying. I am constantly aware that these are issues that impact REAL people. The church has the responsibility to be a beacon of hope to a hopeless world. Right now in their schools there are REAL people who need the love of Jesus. And the BEST people to show that and make a difference in the lives of their peers is the YOUTH!
Looking forward!
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