Afternoon, Dear Reader! Kelsey here. How are things? Yesterday was the first day back at seminary for the spring semester. Seems like it was only 10 days ago I was doing a January Intensive at school… There was a golden moment yesterday when our new Homiletics professor (who does not know me or what happened last semester parenthesis was listing off excusable absences and the interchange went something like this:
Him: “Obviously, life happens. Sometimes your family gets sick. Sometimes you… I dunno, you break your leg.”
*Entire class slowly turns and looks at me.*
Me, out loud: “I gotchu, fam.”
With that, we’ve got some old and new things to get through, so let’s begin.
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CAYG this Sunday (weather permitting)
As everyone read, our first week back was postponed due to weather and our general distaste of putting people directly in harms way. We (should) for real begin THIS Sunday. All the ordinary times remain the same:
6pm Arrive at Ellsworth entrance to join us in the Parish Hall. Alex will explain the new CAYG format there at 6.15pm.
8:30 Pick up at either Ellsworth or Neville entrance,
Last call for Harrisburg – FIVE DAYS LEFT TO SIGN UP!!
Join us, won’t you? Sign up here.
Senior Church Tours
Senior trips resume in February! And Juniors can join!
When/if you leave home for college or travel or whatever, a number of things happen, and one of them is called “The Freshman 15.”
Basically your first year away from home, the average Freshman GAINS or LOSES 15 pounds (usually gains). Why? Because for the first time you are the only one responsible for making sure you come within chewing distance of a vegetable. And for many, out of sight= out of mind. BUT, suppose you and your high school buddies got together periodically and went to a college cafeteria and looked at the food, took note of how many goodies there were, and discussed as a group diet and exercise plans? You’d likely be looking more at the Freshman-5ish rather than the 15.
What’s my point?
Just as your physical health increasingly becomes your responsibility, so too does your faith, and to keep your faith healthy, you need to find a church. BUT! If you’ve been attending 1 church virtually your whole life, suddenly attending a new one can be a bit of a culture shock. (Not unlike entering the school cafeteria and yes they have green beans but it doesn’t taste anything like mom’s… does this even work? Wouldn’t it be better to NOT eat it and wait until you go home? Oooo brownies…)
SO Alex will be hosting JUNIOR/SENIOR CHURCH TOURS this spring! Dates above.
We meet in Ascension’s Parish Hall on the dates and times above, and then head over to a new church, before discussing our experience over lunch afterwards. It is SO HELPFUL if you let us know to wait for you so please RSVP here.
April 30-May 1 Marathon Overnight!
The first weekend in May (this year beginning in April) Pittsburgh holds its annual Marathon! And we, your friendly-neighborhood youth group run a hydration station at the half-way marker just outside the WQED station! Because the city is effectively closed down that Sunday, Ascension has a worship service Saturday evening, and the youth stay overnight. More details of course to follow, but DO mark your calendars now for that weekend!
When: Saturday, April 30-Sunday May 1
Specifically when: 5pm church service, followed by lasagna, hopefully!
What: Church, lasagna dinner, overnight hyjinx, up at 5am to jump around and cheer marathon runners.
Do you like to cook lasagna? Perfect- because I don’t.
Needed: 3+ parents willing and able to volunteer to host our lasagna dinner.
It’s usually me, and after trying it out these last few years we’ve officially figured out that I cannot make dinner AND lead a small group in the same evening. SO we need a team comprised of people who are specifically not me to do what I cannot.
What it generally entails:
Arriving early to stick lasagnas in the ovens.
Dumping salad in bowls
Sticking pre-made garlic bread in an oven
Having lasagnas out in time for dinner after the service
Doing the dishes
There will OF COURSE be clearer details closer to the date, but this is our first feeler to see if anyone is currently hoping to be my new best friend.
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With that, Dear Readers, I must away. May the Force be with you.
Much love,
Kelsey Nienna
Church of the Ascension Youth Group 