Preparing to serve dinner

Preparing to serve a meal today (July 9) to about 60 folks at Love Kitchen.

Thoughts from Nick and Keating

Today my group went to West Side Campaign Against Hunger, which is a pantry that provides a bundle of incredible services for those in need. At first, we had an orientation around the pantry and were told that there was a point system for those getting food, and that they were able to get this food 3 times a month. Our first task was to cut bread, bag it, tie it and later put it on the shelves. This task turned out to be extremely tiring for those who cut the bread! (lucky for me I didn't have to cut it) After we had to bag radishes and arugula and put them on the shelves. After we stocked the shelves with a variety of beans and lentils. This is easier said than done, as there were more than 100 bags of each beans. Dr. Jay and I next put cans of peaches on the shelves as well as apple sauce. As this was going on the rest of the group was bagging and tying celery. We ate lunch after and talked to many important people that were employed at WSCAG and learned about the services that are provided including cell phones, meetings with doctors, clothes drives and the pantry as well. After we ate we stocked more beans and after we returned to YSOP. We met with the other groups and evaluated the day. Lastly we were asked questions and we answered with what we truly believed. No answer was a bad answer. After we returned [home] and later went to a great bagel shop for dinner!! Everyone was so tired that we opted out of going to town. Now everyone is sleeping besides Keating and I. 🐮

Wedenday, July 8. Group A "Keating's struggle"

After we left for Queens for the second time, we spent about an hour on the subways. Once we got

off, Keating took the map and started to guide us to Hour children (no typo) Unfortunately his 

navigation landed all of us in the hospital; because he had read the wrong address. A few minuets 

later we get to Hour children, which is a day care center for children whose mothers are incarcerated. 

The day care took in children for ages 3days to 4 years. Emmy and Olivia were put in charge of 

watching over 3 years olds, Nola watched over babies and Keating and I watched over the 

four year olds. The four year olds were doing yoga when we arrived. The preschool kids were taken 

to a play ground outside for 15 minuets. And the three year olds were outside for 1 hour. When we 

took the kids back inside we gave them lunch, a couple of the kids thought it would be hilarious to 

throw spoons at Keating (Emmy got a laugh out of that) When they finished lunch, we read books 

chosen by the kids for the kids. Soon after this we had to leave and when we got back, we all went to 

Thompson's square bagels for dinner. Keating got his bagel last.   Reflections penned by Michael Gore

Exhaustion

Jenna was exhausted and fell asleep.  They all tried to wake her up to no avail.

9/11 Memorial

It was very deeply meaningful to me as Pastor of First Church to spend some quiet momests at the Memorial that recalls the horror of terrorists acts which killed nearly 3,000 people on September 11, 2001.   The museum brought back very painful memories of the events that we witnessed, the fears about what was happening in our world, and the ways in  which so many people's faith was strengthened, their resolve made more firm, and their commitment to love and enjoy life as a precious gift of God.

I deliberately went to the marble slab on  the North Tower memorial which has Jean Roger's name on it.   I did not know her, of course.  But I sensed a powerful connection to her which drew me to stand silently and prayerfully touching her name.   Jean and I share a spiritual connection, as do each of you  who are reading this blog:  we are part of the same church family, we love one another and belong to one another.  

I hope we can all resolve to live each moment of every day fully with love and joy, making a difference in the lives of those around us, seeking to make the world a better place for all people.  That is one of the lessons that I am reminded about, as I remember the sudden and tragic deaths of those women and men and children.

Let us seek to live with all people in peace.   Dr Jay

Note from Dr. Jay on the 9/11 Memorial

We went Monday evening to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. I paused and prayed at two places remembering Jean Roger from our church membership who died as a flight attendant on one of the planes that were flown into the World Trade Center Towers.

I found Jean's photo in a hall filled with photos of all who died that horrible day.
Sad. So terribly sad.

The site of the North tower.

Sorting clothes, cooking dinner and cutting bread

 Sorting clothes.  Look at that huge pile!

 

Sorting games to play with our guests before dinner.

 

Cooking dinner for the homeless shelter guest dinner.

 

Cutting bread. 

These donations are sliced and bagged and folks 'shop' for them using a point system for purchases--- 300 or more families each day through The West Side Against Hunger over 44,000 households assisted each year!

 

 

A second group went to a place called Baby Buggy on Tuesday. We were greeted by a huge pile of children's clothes and a very friendly person instructed us to sort the clothing by size and by quality. It was very adorable. We were shown a brief film about all of the families that would benefit from the program. Some 5,000 families per month! Worn out and tired, but wanting to take advantage of  being right around the corner from time square, we went exploring. It was hot and crowded but very exciting. We didn't need to stay long though, so we travelled back to YSOP headquarters. We were early so we entertained ourselves with a spirited game of Apples to Apples. Once all of the group's were reunited, we started cooking for a nice little "dinner party" with some local homeless people. Amidst the cooking was a fabulous soundtrack of the youth groups joining together and performing songs from the amazing musical Rent. When our guests arrived, we sat down with them and had some very honest and heartfelt conversations. Checkers, Dominos, Jenga, and other games were also played at this time. Now we are back at the church, and I am tired so my writing is probably a mess. Signing off- Shannon Plankey 10:44pm

Tuesday in New York

After leaving around 8:00 in the morning, our group quickly got breakfast from a nearby Dunkin' Donuts before heading into the subway to get to our assigned location for the day. Two trains and a transfer later, we found ourselves in a more work-related part of a building connected to a decorative Church that has had history in NYC since the late 1800s. When we arrived, we found out the agenda for the day. Our job was to prepare bags of food and clothing for guests that came for their free lunch which they could bring with them to leave. Additionally, we were tasked with helping to serve the guests lunch and aid in cleaning up after. All the other volunteers and workers had enthusiastic and outgoing personalities, which created an open and social workspace. Until 11:30 we prepared bags of supplies that could be brought with the guests after they had finished their lunch. At this time, a crowd of people entered into the room where lunch would be served. Our group and another, different group of volunteers collectively prepared and handed out the lunches while others waited on guests who needed beverages or refills. Throughout the time spent serving lunch, the upbeat and social atmosphere remained unchanged. Eventually all were served, including a woman turning 98, who was given a small cake and sung to for the occasion. This proved how close the community was around there; they knew each other well, and even if they didn't, they did their best to make everyone else feel welcome. After the lunch was finished, we ate our own lunches and had time for a few minutes in Central Park before heading back to the YSOP building for dinner with the other half of our group as well as another staying at the same time as us. We prepared the dinner ourselves and for more guests that we got to talk with over the meal before returning to the church we're staying at.

- Olivia

Early images from the trip

Monday in NYC

To begin our day we went to the YSOP church and they explained what they were all about. After YSOP gave us directions for where to go, our group was sent to the United Methodist church in Queens. We met the head director, Ann Marie, and she gave us a quick tour around the place. First we set up tables and chairs for the people to eat outside. Then Olivia and I were told to make bags of bagels while Keating and Michael were organizing the chicken for people to eat. After we all went to a table outside with clothes and a few toys for the clients and we watched as they came and picked out ones they liked. A few people ended up not listening to the three limit rule and took more than they should've taken. Michael and Keating served food to the people who stayed for lunch. After they served, we all went back inside and handed different breads to people who brought their own bags. Threwout the day we also meet Frank and Belinda who were also their to guide us. After all the clients got food we ate lunch inside and then helped clean up and then went back to YSOP. As we headed back to the YSOP church we saw a client sitting on a bench. She approached us and thanked us for our work we did today. I was surprised that she said that it didn't always run as smoothly as it did when we were there. She said many took advantage of the place and didn't listen to the rules and were greedy and sometimes a few people didn't get meals. I really appreciated how she thanked us so sincerely and told us the problems that happened when we weren't there. 

- Emmy, Keating, Olivia, Michael

Monday in NYC Katherine and Jenna

Salutations!
It's Katherine and Jenna here! Today we went to Youth Service Opportunities Project (YSOP) headquarters and met another group from Maryland who were serving too. Our group consisting of Nick, Shannon, Jenna, Dr. Jay, and myself went to a church in Brooklyn who was preparing to serve hungry people for Tuesday. First,we met Josephine at the door and she gave us a tour of the church. Next, some people of our group began to unfold boxes for recycling and others prepared plastic bags to hold food packages. A little while later, we packed non perishable food including milk and juice (up to 200 bags!). Our final task was to prepare bags of four potatoes and a few handfuls of onions together.  After packing over 200 bags of those, some of us brought them to the front to be served for tomorrow. We then returned to YSOP for a debriefing session to tell the other groups what we did today. We concluded the day by going to the 9/11 museum and memorial. The museum had many artifacts from the twin towers which was very moving and heartfelt. The pools, where the twin towers once stood, was incredible. Finally, we had dinner at Bill's bar and grill where we had an amazing dinner and milkshakes! Can't wait for another day of service! See y'all soon!

-Katherine and Jenna

A new interpretation of YES!

The group discovered this sign during the trip and felt it was apropos for their trip.

Blessings on the Journey

Here is the group as they prepared to leave.  They were dedicated for their service during worship on Sunday, July 5. 

Mission Trip Info

8 members of YES and 2 adult chaperones will be spending July 5-9 in New York City working through an organization called Youth Services Opportunities Project (YSOP) to serve hungry and homeless people in the city.   They will be dedicated during worship on Sunday, July 5. Check back often to read their testimonies.