Gen-14: St. Philip’s Youth MusicIf you can talk, you can sing. Not long after a young prospective bass guitarist strolled through the Community Room with a shiny electric bass and started to play, our youth music group of St. Philip the Apostle knew it was time for a name. A few Sundays later Hannah brought the youth group meeting, under Carter’s direction, a New Testament verse: Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to Christ (Matthew 1: 17). There it was, our name, in black and white, Fourteen Generations, or now the more familiar: Gen-14. “How many generations have there been from Jesus to me?” asked one of youth group. Many, many generations; we determined probably between five or six times “fourteen generations” have passed between Christ’s birth to the generation of youth today. We immediately liked the name because to us, “Gen-14” says that we have honored God with our music from Abraham to David and from the Messiah to today. Our group is about both respecting tradition and innovation. Perhaps Gen-14 would be described more accurately as Fourteen Generations and Beyond, but we’ll save that name for the next generation of young musicians at St. Philip’s. In just over a year, our youth group has advanced from talking, walking, and praying to praying while singing and playing. Gen-14 has become an integral part of the music team at St. Philip’s. We appreciate the contribution of Ben, Chris, Hannah, Jonny, Kelsey, Lauren, Michelle, and Serena, Tayler, Tim, and William, as well as a number of dedicated adults who join us regularly. We also recognize Carter’s gifts to us; she gives us grace and space to practice as we pray, play, and learn in our Sunday Youth Group meetings Tamah, |
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We’re looking forward to a beautiful spring this year. There are two Diocesan overnight retreats for which teens should already have received applications. Happenings is for Sr. High youth and New Beginnings is for Jr. high and middle schoolers. Hannah, William and Serena have already agreed to be teen staff at New Beginnings. Any other teen who has attended New Beginnings is eligible to staff the event. Staff prep weekends begin in March. There are opportunities for Drama team, Music team and Family group leaders. If you are middle school or high school age and have NOT received applications, please contact Carter right away. There are also opportunities for adult chaperones to attend the weekend. Happenings is being pulled together now, extra applications are posted on the youth bulletin board in the Foyer. We had the good fortune to attend the St. Philip's Family Snow Trip at Zephyr Point last month. What a beautiful place. We looked out of our windows on those sunny mornings and saw nothing but WATER. The rooms look out over Lake Tahoe, no road, no buildings, just the lake with birds swimming around in it. You’ve got to try it next year. Okay so we could have used a little more snow but Heavenly Ski resort was fun. My favorite part though, was our very own common room where we all gathered upon arrival and in the evenings after dinner. It was just a wonderful opportunity to do puzzles with people you wouldn’t ordinarily spend time with. The activities were simple, but I loved the intergenerational aspect of them. Teens did puzzles with some moms and dads, young children played ping pong with older kids, I really believe it’s a great place for ALL members of our church family to learn from and enjoy each other’s company. This year we traveled with a family with very young children but we could just as easily have included active seniors. It’s not all about skiing, many folks did not go to the big resorts but went in search of the best coffee shop in the South Tahoe area, or found cross-country skiing areas. Point is, we would love to have more grannies and grandpas so don’t think it’s not for you! Tamah has been working very hard with the Gen-14 band, and we’ve got special music planned for March 4, so be sure to come to that. Kids, don’t forget your instruments! We’ve had a guitar donated to our music ministry and it’s available to check out, as is our drum set and sticks, so you can take them home to practice. Contact Tamah for sheet music if you need anything. Watch for a flyer for the March 11 Drive-in Movie night in Santa Cruz together with St. John’s and Calvary. We’re still choosing the movies and times. See ya! |
Music, Merriment, & MoreMarch 11 Drive-In Movie. March 23-24 Staff Prep for New Beginnings. April 15 Hike with St. John’s. April 13-15 Staff Prep for New Beginnings. April 27-28 New Beginnings Retreat. May 13 Hike/Bike Day (TBA). June 10 Garden of Eden, swimming hole in Henry Cowell (no jumping off the big stump). |
