Youth Sunday

Alex Atkins, Diane Collins, Jericha Price, and me

Yesterday at St. Alban’s was Youth Sunday, and instead of having me or Jeff preach, the three graduating seniors were invited into the pulpit.  Alex, Diane, and Jericha offered their own unique testimonies to Christ.

(In case you missed it, you can listen to by following this link: http://www.stalbanswaco.org/files/Audio/youth.WMA)

Two things stood out to me in their homilies.

First, they all engaged the Bible and used it as a springboard for their reflections.  These were not sappy graduation speeches or farewells; they were rooted in Christian texts and traditions.  Yesterday’s gospel lesson was the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus.  Alex and Diane both reflected on their journeys with Jesus and their fellow disciples at St. Alban’s.

Second, I realized how much these three had grown spiritually in the past year.  I have seen their spiritual lives flourish and mature over the course of this year.  I pray that they continue to grow in faith and love as they move off to college.

Alex, Diane, and Jericha are three amazing and faithful young women.  I know that as they grow and mature in faith they are going to be the future leaders of the Episcopal Church!

Yesterday, I saw three young Christians preaching the good news of Jesus Christ.  Thanks be to God!