Welcome to Second Presbyterian Youth Ministry!

Welcome to the Blog that is entirely dedicated to the youth activities at Second Presbyterian Church! Here you will find the latest information on outings and gatherings, photos, and more. Enjoy!

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Kaitlyn Dickson Reflection of BSM During the Philadelphia mission trip I learned many things. I learned how to do simple tasks such as mowing and painting walls. I also learned about the people going through homelessness. A few people helped me learn that I should not judge people by the way they look. On Monday, we were able to eat breakfast and socialize with people who were either homeless or couldn’t afford food. During this time a guy, named Billy, sat down with Chasity, Caroline Smith, and me. He didn’t have the nicest clothes on and he carried around a bag with him. We later learned that he traveled by foot from Philadelphia to Virginia. He likes to do art and music. He was homeless and went to breaking bread often. Billy was easy to talk to and had many stories to tell during our time together Later in the week, we had a tour guide come in. His name was Andre and he went through homelessness twice. The first time he was laid off his job and the second time was by choice. He told us his story then went over some reasons why someone would be going through homelessness. A few examples are by choice, growing out of foster care, and being laid off of their job. Andre was very nice and had a sense of humor. A lot of people from Philly knew him. While we walked around, I learned many things about homelessness. He showed us where some would go to sleep, the way they communicate, and the history of it all. I learned that if it was below thirty-five degrees or higher than hundred degrees then the homeless would be allowed to go into any public building to rest. On Thursday, it was my turn to serve in breaking bread. I was told that Thursday was the busiest, but I was more than ready to help serve. I was waitress along with Caroline Smith. We were assigned section five and while the food was being prepared, we had a little time to talk to the guests. All of them were very polite and not one person said anything rude. There was one guy who stuck out to me the most. His appearance was different and would probably throw some people off. He has a lot of tattoos and two of them were tear drops under his eye. He talked to me first and we had a normal conversation. He was very nice and very polite to me. Every time I gave him food he would say thank you and one time he even called me ma’am. Although his appearance might give off the wrong vibe, does not mean one should judge him because of it. I learned so much during my week at Broadstreet Ministries. All of these people helped me open my eyes and notice that money and appearances don’t make up a person. To know a person, one has to make an effort and talk, instead of just judging and deciding who they are.
Caroline Smith’s Reflection This year was my first mission trip, which also happened to be our church’s first trip to Broad Street Ministry in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We arrived on Sunday afternoon and were immediately welcomed by the church community into their worship service. The sanctuary was beautiful, filled with many colors, including origami birds and windmills hanging from the ceiling. There was another group there with us from Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, MD. Throughout the week we all became great friends, mostly through playing cards. We were split into groups and given a different activity every day of the week. My group consisted of Aubree from BSM, Kaitlyn, Ali, Chasity, and me. We were given the chance to help out in 5 different communities. Monday was Beacon Church, Tuesday was a tour and Manna, Wednesday was sorting mail at BSM, Thursday was Breaking Bread, and Friday was Teens for Good. From painting walls to serving food to people experiencing homelessness, there was never a boring moment. At night we had lessons from stories in the Bible taught by members of the staff at BSM. I learned to forget all of society’s stereotypes, especially about people experiencing homelessness, and just talk to people to learn their stories. Above all, I will never forget all the great memories I made and the amazing people I met.
Olivia Smith BSM Reflection This year’s mission trip to Philadelphia to work with Broad Street Ministry was an amazing experience. During just one week of work with Broad Street I was able to package food for people with diseases who have a hard time buying their own food, sell newspapers to raise awareness about homelessness, serve food to people needing a warm meal, weed an urban garden that helps provide fresh fruits and vegetables to people in the neighborhood, and package boxes of food that were sent to elderly people who are unable to buy or afford food from grocery stores. While I was in Philadelphia I worked with many organizations including Manna, Philabundance, One Step Away, an urban garden organization, and Breaking Bread with Broad Street Ministry. After a week at Broad Street my perspective of homelessness and people who are experiencing homelessness has significantly changed. I learned a lot about why people are experiencing homeless and how people who are experiencing homelessness have become homeless. I am so thankful I was able to grow closer to God and see His work while I was at Broad Street and I am thankful that I was able to have this experience with my sister and my friends. My mission trip experience with Broad Street Ministry was extremely eye-opening and impactful and I hope that I am able to return to Broad Street to work with them again.
Reflection by Ali Sharpe, rising Senior. The trip to Broad Street Ministry in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will always be one of my most treasured memories. Before the trip I would have never imagined how much it would change my perspective and attitude towards issues in society. Our week was loaded with new experiences and eye opening moments. When we arrived at Broad Street we were split into neighborhood groups and with those groups we traveled to different locations over the course of a week. Aubree, part of the youth initiative staff, was our leader and Chasity, Caroline Smith, and Kaitlyn were also in my group! On Monday our group traveled to Beacon, a church devoted to caring for the community around it. Beacon serves as a light for people going through dark times and gives them hope for the future. They also are very involved with the children in the community and have many after school programs for children to create art in a safe environment. While we were there we painted, mowed the lawn, and helped prepare for the upcoming art show. On Tuesday we went a tour around the city with Andre, a man devoted to helping the homeless community because he too has been homeless. He broke the wall of stereotypes we each had regarding people in the homeless community and opened our eyes to a side we have never tried to look for. He took us to different murals around the city and different locations people experiencing homelessness can get help. That afternoon we went to Manna, an organization that prepares hot meals for people with life threatening diseases such as cancer and aids. In just two hours we helped prepared 750 meals! We left feeling tired yet accomplished! On Wednesday we got the opportunity to help sort mail in Broad Street's mail system. Broad Street allows anyone to use their address if they do not have one so they can obtain the crucial benefits they need to survive and get a job. Broad Street has over 2,800 individuals using their address!! We worked all morning sorting and filing mail. That afternoon was our free day and we enjoyed walking around the city! We went to a food court type place for dinner and got ice cream for dessert! Thursday our group got to serve in the daily Breaking Bread meal hosted at Broad Street. The unique part of Breaking Bread is that anyone can attend the meal and they are treated like guests. We served them as if they were seated in a restaurant! This was probably my favorite experience of the week because I didn't feel as if I were giving out a handout, and I got to connect and listen to amazing stories! On our final day we traveled to the Carousel House and helped garden in their urban garden. Each summer they allow teens to come and garden and learn life skills through a program called Teens 4 Good. We weeded, and sprayed plants. At the end we got to harvest various vegetables and pick fresh raspberries! I am so thankful for the wonderful opportunity I had and I hope I can go back next year!!