The High-School Youth Group is active in going and sharing God's love in thought, word and deed. Along with the weekly devotions and discussions of what they are experiencing in this part of their life's journey, they also share God's love to the local community and abroad with servant projects.

Take a look at some of the highlights since 2000:

Our 2000 Summer Trip

A group of 14 youth and five adults attended the ELCA National Youth Gathering, "Dancing at the Crossroads", in St. Louis, Missouri. Upon arriving in St. Louis, they were greeted by over 27,000 other youth from around the whole country. While being motivated by speakers like Mike Yakanelli and ArchBishop Desmond Tutu, they were challenged with questions like, "Are you willing to let Jesus mess up your life for God's sake?"

Year 2000 Servant Projects

While traveling to the National Youth Gathering, the group stopped in Columbus, Ohio, where they put in over 150 hours of service at the Victory Mission Project and Columbus Worship Center. With the help of the members at Resurrection Lutheran Church, the group donated 60 sets of back-to-school supplies to the six Middle Schools in Spotsylvania County. Each set included a three-ring binder, paper, pencils, pens, notebooks and rulers. While working at the Hope House booth during the Kids Convention at the Spotsylvania Mall in September, the group made and handed out over 2,000 W.W.J.D. bracelets to those attending the convention. The group is participating with other youth in the Virginia Synod-sponsored Youth to Youth Project. The year 2000 project was to help St. Barnabas Agricultural School in Haiti. The youth raised and donated $800 for this project. The youth entered a float in the Fredericksburg Christmas parade. This year's parade theme was Songs of Christmas, and we were given the song "Joy to the World." Besides making the float, they also handed out over 4,000 candy canes along with the story of "A Candy Cane for Jesus".

Year 2001 Servant Projects

The Fourth Annual Dinner Theater took place on March 17th at Christ Lutheran Church in downtown Fredericksburg. The singing group "Captive Free" visited Resurrection Lutheran Church over the weekend of March 23rd to 27th. This is a college-age group sponsored by Youth Encounter, based in Minneapolis, MN. For this year's Summer Servant trip, the group will be traveling to upstate New York and the Adirondack Mountains. For the week of June 24th to June 29th, 2001, the High School group will be traveling to Sacandaga Bible Camp, located on Sacandaga Lake. At the camp, the youth will be serving the camp in any deeds that they need done, such as clearing trails, hauling wood, spreading mulch, etc. On June 29th, we will finish up at the camp and drive down to Somers Point, New Jersey and enjoy the weekend at the beach and boardwalk. Besides doing servant work for the camp, we will be praying and playing. Praying will consist of First Word and Last Word for each day and a Bible study each day. For the playing part, we will be whitewater-rafting on the Hudson River, mountain hiking and other mountain activities.

The 2001 Youth to Youth Project is The PNG Fishing Boat Project. Information for this project can be found at http://bdwhite.home.mindspring.com Our youth had committed to raising $1,500 for this worthwhile project ... but, as a result of the wonderful support received from the congregation at the 4th Annual Dinner Theater, the High School group was able to donate $2,500 to this project. A huge "thank you" to our congregation for their support!

2002 Summer Servant Trip

CLICK HERE to see PHOTOS!

Our High School Group traveled to San Antonio, Texas, for their 2002 Summer Servant Project. They joined up with the High School Youth Group from Amazing Grace Lutheran Church. Together, approximately 35 youth and adults served as a working crew for Habitat for Humanity.

For the first time, our Youth Group traveled by plane to their destination. The group, consisting of 19 youth and 4 adults, arrived in San Antonio, Texas, and was greeted by their host families from Amazing Grace. They made our week's stay feel just like we were home: feeding us, driving us around, and providing cool comfortable beds.

The devotional themes for the week were "Building on God's Foundation" and looking at our own personal character. Some of the highlights were:

· Looking for the perfect peanut

· Do our inner characteristics match our outer character?

· Are you a peacemaker or something else?

· What personal commitment are you willing to make for God?

Besides each youth working approximately 20 hours on the Habitat for Humanity project, they enjoyed visiting Splashtown Water Park, sightseeing on the River Walk, touring the Mexican Market, and swimming in the community pool. Oh, and we can't forget… meeting Aaron Carter!

2002 - 2003 Events:

ubuntu

do life

i am because we are, we are because Christ is

In 2003, the RLC High School group joined approximately 25,000 other youth from around the country at the ELCA NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING in Atlanta, Ga. Our group attended the second week of the Gathering, July 23rd to 27th, 2003. Doing servant work on the way down to Atlanta and whitewater rafting on the way back, it was a great week.

Other events for the year will include: participating in the annual Fredericksburg Christmas Parade; attending the Virginia Synod high school retreat "Winter Celebration" the last weekend in January; a video scavenger hunt night this winter; movie nights; and other activities. The high school youth meet regularly every Sunday night from 6:00 to 8:00 at the church. Each meeting consists of fun, games, and devotions.

For more information, contact Greg Brock.