Since January an All-Church Birthday Party and welcoming of spring has been eagerly anticipated by the Youth Group at North Highland United Methodist Church in Aberdeen, South Dakota. They had invited the congregation to celebrate the end of chilly weather with chili and cinnamon rolls while celebrating each other on the first day of spring. The congregation was invited to give a free-will contribution to support their Youth Group projects.

Then, a crisis developed in Ukraine, an area where many in the congregation feel an attachment because their grandparents or parents had been born there. They remembered the stories. They have enjoyed some of the traditional foods. Several asked about opportunities to give.

The youngest and the oldest were celebrated at the Party with a Purpose. Weston Scherbenske, left, is two, and Betty Beyer is 89. Photo courtesy of North Highland UMC.

After discussion during a regular meeting, the youth readily revamped their planned event from only celebrating ourselves to raising money for the people of Ukraine through a UMC Advance.  The color scheme was changed to blue and yellow, and last fall’s sunflower table décor was recycled.

Pastor Lou Whitmer said, “We felt it was important for the youth to see the church respond in a tangible way. We speak and preach a lot of kingdom messages and love of neighbor, and this was an opportunity for our youth to see it for themselves, as well as play a role.”

On Sunday, March 20^th, folks enjoyed chili and cinnamon rolls, a few rounds of “bingo for dessert”, and celebrated the youngest and oldest in attendance. Joy abounded as the Youth Group realized they had raised over $3,200 (to date) for their neighbors in Ukraine. This will soon be en route to a church in Kyiv (Advance #14053A) which is faithfully feeding, sheltering, and ministering to many of their city under very challenging conditions. Our prayers continue for our neighbors in crisis, and for all of us to continue to join in God’s work of healing a broken world.