Watch out Milton-Bradley: Journey of Life Game® unveiled tonight

Members of Journey pose by the Journey of Life gameboard created by Kathryn Hopkins, Photo/Tom Atwood

After months of hype and speculation the Journey of Life Game was unveiled tonight in the Undercroft at St. Andrew's. Members of Journey each rolled the dice and took a turn. We'll see in two weeks who completes their "tasks" and who takes the early lead in this game. Here's a brief description:

The game® has two main goals: The first goal is to help you think about your future, and your life, as a journey that you are not making alone. You are on this journey with your family, your friends, your school, your church and ultimately, with God. The second goal is to give you a chance for total and complete domination of Journey as champion of the game®. Just kidding. Sort of.

As you will see, the game® is divided into four categories:

Family/Friends

Academic/School

Community/St. Andrew’s

Spirituality/Faith

How is the game® played? Each time Journey meets, players get to roll the dice and move around the board, designed and created by Kathryn Hopkins. Depending on where you land, you will choose a card from one of the four categories. Each card has a different activity (a question, an exercise, a task) worth up to 50 points. Some of the cards are difficult, some are easy. Some are fun, some are not. Some are fair, some unfair (in terms of points). Follow the instructions on the card to receive your points. The first player to reach 200 points wins the game®. The winner will get a prize (to be determined). Don’t worry, if and when someone wins, we’ll start a new game®.

Also, you receive 10 points each time you attend Journey, and 10 points if you bring a friend. (Bribery!) Keep track of your points in your Journal. An official Scoreboard will be updated and posted for everyone to see.

We will roll the dice at every meeting of Journey, but most of the “tasks” will have to be performed outside of Journey (during your real “journey”). We have decided to use an honor system. Only you will know for sure if you did or did not follow the instructions on your card. You will be responsible for recording your answers and details of your task “results” in your own Journal. We will discuss some of these during class.

Right now The Journey of Life Game® is a demo. It is still under development. We will play it and see what revisions, if any, we need to make for future Journey classes.

'We have been through everything together'

By Leigh Ann Kesper
In my life I am most thankful for Tyler James Kesper. He is my brother and we have been through everything together. He knows me better than anyone will. He is there when no one else is. Tyler, you are the very best friend anyone could have. I love you and thank you.

[Editor's note: This is part of a series of Journey essays about people we are thankful for in our lives.]

She makes me happy

by Ryan Gueldener
In my life, I am most thankful for Marlene. She is my mom. She makes me happy when I am sad, and she cares for me when I am sick. She means a lot to me. If I didn't have her, I would be heartbroken. Mom, you are the nicest person ever.

[Editor's note: This is part of a series of Journey essays about people we are thankful for in our lives.]

'No one could replace you'

by Olivia Hopkins

In my life I am most thankful for my friend, Abby Reising. Abby and I have been best friends for 11 years. Through these years our friendship has taught me something new every day. I have learned about patience, teamwork, to not judge, that everybody makes mistakes, how to help others and yourself.

To show gratitude I would say to Abby, "Abby, you are the bestest friend EVER! And no one could replace you."

[Editor's note: This is the second in a series of Journey essays about people we are thankful for in our lives.]

Thankful for my mom

by Lauren Wethers
In my life, I'm most thankful for my mom. She's been a constant presence since before I was even born, and I'm pretty sure we have a link--she knows, even if I'm at school, if there's something wrong, and sometimes my head hurts for no reason. I'd probably be completely lost without her.

Mom, I might not always say it out loud, but you're the most important person in my life. You've helped me through everything.

Journey gives thanks, even for the bad stuff

Sometimes in Journey we raise questions that don't seem to have easy answers. Tonight was one of those nights. The Bible says to "rejoice always," and to "pray without ceasing." And the Book of Common Prayer, in the General Thanksgiving, says to be thankful "for those disappointments and failures" that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on God alone. Be thankful for the bad things that happen in our lives? Tough to do. But tonight we tried. We listed not only all the good things we are thankful for (like friends and bathrooms and Buffalo Wild Wings), but also the bad stuff, the hard times and struggles (like friendships that end, rejection and fights). Tonight we were thankful for good and bad, or tried to be. We listed them on sticky notes and shaped them into a multicolored cross. We also chose one person in particular to give thanks for in a brief essay. Those essays will be published below here this week, starting tonight with Lauren Wethers. Stay tuned!

Journey meets tonight!

Normally, Journey meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. But since November has 5 Sundays, we will be meeting tonight, November 29, the fifth Sunday of November. See you there!

We are saints!

Joe Babajan (above, left), a Journey alum, joined us tonight for pizza and the lesson. Joe is on his way to Camp Pendleton (CA) where he is a helicopter pilot for the Marines.

Thanks to Joe Babajan for visiting his old Journey stomping grounds tonight. Just like 7 years ago, Joe was an active contributor tonight to the discussion, a sometimes heated debate over what it means to be a saint. We finally agreed that we are all members of the communion of saints, and wrote comments of praise and encouragement on cards taped to our backs.





Photos/Tom Atwood

Relationships

The collage above not only represents different kinds of relationships, it is the result of relationships (and collaboration) among members of Journey, who created it tonight. (Click the image to see a larger, more detailed version.) Our meeting tonight was highly informative, with some of us learning for the first time what a "bromance" is. Definitely a modern relationship!

We were also glad to have two new visitors tonight - Miles Washington, a 7th grade trumpeter from Creve Couer, Missouri, and Leigh Kesper, a sophomore at EHS. Bromances may come and go, but as Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees (see below), marriage is holy and sacred.

Mark 10:2-14

Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’ He answered them, ‘What did Moses command you?’ They said, ‘Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation, “God made them male and female.”

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,* and the two shall become one flesh.” So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’

Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. He said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.’

Pizza and Annie's: Journey 2009/2010 off to a healthy start

Ryan Gueldener, new member of Journey, gets a front row seat for photo at Annie's as Journey meets for the first time this fall. Photo/Tom Atwood

Just remember, after the pizza tonight (and before the frozen yoghurt), we talked about the great commandment(s) in Jesus' answer to the lawyer's question in Matthew 22. These two commandments--love God; love your neighbor--will guide us this year as we discuss the readings from week to week. How can we love God with all our heart? What do we need to do? And how can we love our neighbor? What on Earth does that really mean?

Matthew 22: 37-40
He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’



Lauren Wethers and Ellen Atwood get a little (very little) exercise on the way to Annie's. Photo/Tom Atwood

Journey ends with a picnic, resumes again in the fall

Of course the journey never really ends, but at St. Andrew's, Journey ended for the year Sunday afternoon with a picnic at the Winston Brown Recreation Complex near the Watershed Nature Preserve. The weather was perfect, the grill was sizzling and Ellen's homemade chocolate chip cookies were the best batch she has ever baked, she claims. It was great fun, and we'll see you all in the fall, when the Journey begins again.
Photos by Tom Atwood (click images to enlarge)

What we are praying about

At the Journey meeting last Sunday at St. Andrew's, we talked about Paul's letter encouraging the Thessalonians to "pray without ceasing," and to give thanks "in all circumstances." So, we came up with a list, a long list, of what we are thankful for: the good things, and the not so good things in our lives. Using sticky notes, members of Journey wrote down specific challenges and specific blessings they are thankful for, and then arranged them on the wall of the Undercroft in the shape of a cross. We stood around the cross and gave thanks.


The list of blessings and challenges that makes up the cross is interesting. Below are just some of the challenges in the lives of Journey members that we prayed about:

Knowing what the future holds
Grandfather's cancer
Grades
Weight
Death
School
Relationships
Understanding God
Temptation
Accepting deaths
Sickness
Job market
Gas prices
Recession
Puberty
Moving
Economy
Identity
Academic ability
My hair
Parents
Going to college
Breaking bad habits
Pressure
Fake friends
Losing people



Next week, I'll post a list of some of the good things in the lives of Journey members that we also gave thanks for around that cross. To see the complete list, drop in at the Undercroft and take a look at our sticky-note cross.

Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:14-30

14 ‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them;
15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
16The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents.
17In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents.
18But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.
20Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.”
21His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”
22And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.”
23His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”
24Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed;
25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” 26But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter?
27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest.
28So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents.
29For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.
30As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Journey resumes, visits fundraiser at Annie's; frozen custard for Faith-in-Action

The first Journey meeting of the new school year ended at Annie's Frozen Custard Sunday night, where proceeds from sales went to help Faith-in-Action Edwardsville/Glen Carbon. Photo/Tom Atwood

Ellen Atwood makes the supreme sacrifice--eating frozen custard--to help FIA. Photo/Tom Atwood

Olivia Hopkins and Lauren Wethers enjoy the first Sunday evening of fall. Photo/Tom Atwood

Adam Douglas, James Sauerman, and Heather Douglas all smiles at Annie's. Photo/Tom Atwood

Evie Kupsky, Chris Oltman, Harrison Wethers, and Olivia Hopkins pose for a snapshot. Photo/Tom Atwood

Scott Stewart waves hello to his fans at Annie's. Photo/Tom Atwood

Coming soon - photos from Annie's

Watch this space for photos from our first record-setting Journey meeting of the new school year tonight.

Where do I belong?

Tonight in Journey we talked about belonging. Why is it important? Where do I belong? Where do I feel the most connected?

In today's gospel reading, Jesus talks about preparing a "place" for his disciples. He says he is "the way, the truth, and the life." What does that mean? And where is this place he is preparing? Do we belong there as children of God?

Where do I belong?

To help sort this out, the assignment tonight was to create a shield, kind of like a family crest, that illustrates where we most feel like we belong today (see image above). Some written responses are included below:

I most belong at my house. It is where love is all around. When my mom and dad are mad, they still love me. It is great.
--James Sauermann

I feel most accepted at school. I feel that way because I'm always in class with a friend.
--Chris Oltman

I feel like I belong at home with my mom and dad the most. This is because they love and support me. I also have known them the longest and I'm most comfortable & I'm not afraid to be myself around them.
--Ellen Atwood



Family is where I belong because I feel safe.
--Scott Stewart

I feel like I belong with my friends because I know they will accept me unconditionally.
--John Stewart

I feel I belong to my hometown the most. I have spent 16 years in this town, and I am quite attached to it. I always feel at home when I am in Edwardsville. It is comfortable and familiar to me.
--Devon Dudding



I feel I belong at home, because I will always be loved and accepted, and they love me.
--Zach Banning

I belong most to a place that accepts me for who I am, but helps me when I am in trouble, and teaches me to be better in every area of my life.
--Michael Oltman

I think that being with my mum and dad is where I belong the most. The reason is because I feel loved when I am with them, and I can tell them all things that bother me in life.
--Adam Douglas

The group I most belong to is everyone on Earth. The entire human race is with whom I belong. To help and heal the sick and enrich the lives of those around me.
--Aaron Huggins

Signs of the risen life at St. Andrew's

Photos by John Stewart and Ellen Atwood

After reading the story of the disciples' encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, members of Journey were asked to identify signs and symbols of the risen life of Jesus in that scripture, as well as in Acts 2:36-47. One of the main symbols, of course, was bread: the disciples' eyes being opened as Jesus broke bread with them. But there were other signs as well: the angel at the empty tomb, baptism, fellowship. The assignment tonight was to shape dough into symbols of the risen life and bake it. Then, with cameras in hand, two groups searched St. Andrew's for photographic evidence of images of the risen life in and around the church itself. Images of angels, water, flowers, sunlight, bread. Above, you see some of the photographs that were taken tonight by group leaders John Stewart and Ellen Atwood.

Thanks to Cindy Oltman and Rachel Tompkins for helping with this project, which ended in the parish hall, filled with the smell of freshly baked bread, and a supper of bread and grapes.

Easter Gratitude

Shanice Rice
This Easter I am especially grateful for Jesus coming into my heart and saving me, and my family loving me the way they have.


Chase Hopkins
This Easter I am especially grateful for the opportunities I have been given.


Ellen Atwood
This Easter I am especially grateful for eating chocolate and cookies! (But really) I am grateful for Jesus and his strength to endure all of the pain and hatred that was bestowed upon him during his crucifixion so that he could give everyone the chance to be forgiven from their sin.


Olivia Hopkins
The other day during church I thought about how many wonderful people I am surrounded by. So this Easter I am most grateful for being blessed with such great family and friends.


John Stewart
This Easter I am especially grateful for freedom, friends, and family.


Lauren Wethers
This Easter I am especially grateful for having all of my family together. After last June, it made me realize that my parents and family won't be around forever, and I'll always be thankful that my family, especially my mom, is still around for awhile longer.


Becky Wolk
This Easter I am especially grateful for my family.


Scott Stewart
This Easter I am especially grateful for everything good.

A Cross To Bear

by Lauren Wethers
To me the cross represents not just the suffering of Jesus, but also the suffering of everyone. Kind of like the saying, 'a cross to bear.'

Journey art by Lauren Wethers

Plain and simple

by Scott Stewart
To me, the cross means God, plain and simple. Because Jesus died on the cross we have been saved.

We Are Loved

by John Stewart






















Journey art by John Stewart


To me, the cross means love and forgiveness. Because Jesus died on the cross, we'll always know that we are loved.