wfn.org | ELCA Youth Help Clean up Shelter for Homeless People

[News News <news@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 30, 2000

ELCA YOUTH HELP CLEAN UP SHELTER FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE
00-07-MH*

     EAST ST. LOUIS, ILL. (ELCA)  Youth from two congregations of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), St. John Lutheran
Church, Eustis, Neb., and Trinity Lutheran Church, Lewisburg, Ohio,
helped clean up the New Life Evangelistic Center's Free Store and
shelter here June 29, as a "servant opportunity" at the ELCA Youth
Gathering.
     The ELCA Youth Gathering "Dancing at the Cross Roads" is
meeting at the America's Center in St. Louis June 28-July 2 and July
5-9.  The two events bring together some 40,000 Lutheran youth of
high school age, who are engaging in worship, Bible study, learning,
community service and fun.
     The participants painted and scraped walls and picked up trash
during their time at the shelter.
     Dave Bean, St. John, church council and the youth committee
member, was excited for his group.  "The kids have been working all
year long doing mission work like lawn mowing, road work and helping
the elderly.  They've been practicing all year long to help people,"
Bean said.
     Leslie Howley, Trinity, accompanied her daughter.  She said
that for many teenagers, service opportunities can open their eyes to
other people and what is going on around them.
     Steve LeBlanc, volunteer at New Life Evangelistic Center, was
appreciative of the youths' efforts.
     "These kids coming out here and helping us out shows that
service work can help break barriers," LeBlanc said.  "For kids from
Nebraska and Ohio to come and do service in a city that is one of the
poorest in the nation is great."
     Claudia Harper, ministry assistant at the center, agreed.
"These kids are a blessing from God," she said.  This means a lot to
the women who stay here and the people who shop here, she said.
     The youth themselves seemed fulfilled.
     Andrew Lehman, Trinity, said the group felt good about serving
other people.
     "It gives me some culture shock, coming from a town of 450,"
said Logan Bean, St. John.  "We're glad to help those who need it,"
he said.

[*Michael Hoffman will be a senior at the University of Kansas.  This
summer he is an intern with ELCA News and Information.]

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html