so we’re back at it.  been a while since we’ve been together as a group.  lots of energy to say the least. although there’s a different feel as were on a new nite – wednesday and we had some good food to start our time.

we launched out with a new series called HAPPY.  that ties in with the church-wide campaign that has just stepped off.  We began the night with everyone taking their creative energy and making some placemats for the upcoming boy’s epiphany weekend at indian river juvenile correction facility in massillon.

epiphany is a three-day spiritual formation  retreat that takes place inside a juvenile corrections facility. the placements are a form of “agape” to encourage the boys that there are people on the outside who care about them.  the placemats are always a mind blower.   after the placemets were finished we introduced the adult leaders.  there’s several new faces this year and it was great to hear the excitement of the students as each adult shared who they were and why they were investing their time.

the big idea: was showing that we basically have two choices on how to live life -I can pretend I’m God, or I can trust that God is God and I’m not.  in small group we looked at the Beatitudes from Matt. 5:1-10.  This first week was focused on being happy because we are poor in spirit…and how we need to depend on God for our everything.    great conversations…and we’re thinking the best is yet to come.