James Christ was only 7 years old at the time his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, but he quickly learned about sickness and money when the family sold their West Jordan home to pay for medical treatments.
"We had to grow up early," said James, now 16, as he joined more than 4,000 others Saturday at Liberty Park during the American Cancer Society's walk to raise money for research and support programs.
As James' sister quietly cried, he talked of moving into their grandmother's basement and of the days when his mother was too weak to get out of bed. He and several buddies wore buttons emblazoned with the words, "Cancer Sucks."
"We're fine," said James . "It hit us pretty hard, but we're living in an apartment now and my Mom's doing great."
The walk, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, raised $150,000.
Blessed Sacrament School in Sandy brought in $2,000, mostly in coins that elementary and middle school students dropped in buckets placed next to classrooms. "Everyone is affected by breast cancer, one way or another," said Joel Kincart, regional vice president of the American Cancer Society in Salt Lake City. "Whether it's your wife, your sister, your mom, your aunt, you can make a difference."
Participants donned pink hats, pint T-shirts, pink ribbons and tags with the name of the individual they wanted to honor.
Diane Teece of Salt Lake City wore a pink-and-white sash with the word, "Survivor."
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"I had my last chemotherapy on Thursday and the prognosis looks good," she said. "It's tough but you can get through it."
Julie Tanner also wore a survivor sash. She was diagnosed with breast cancer just after Christmas in 2007. Because her mother had died of the disease, Tanner was a stickler about testing and mammograms. But she was the one who found the lump during a self-examination.
"Nobody knows your body better than you do," she said. "Self exams are important."
Barbara Bradely of Holladay had emblazoned on her shirt the names of several friends who had contracted cancer: "Diane, Cathryn, Kristine, Dee, Peggy, Joyce, Chieko and more."
"We're honoring the individuals who survived and the one who had fought so hard who died," she said. "They're all amazing."
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Christ UMC members help local service groups
Some 400 members and friends of Christ United Methodist Church participated Saturday in the sixth annual “Christ Church Cares!” event.
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The yearly day of service partnered church members with 15 local organizations to perform various tasks.
“At the Portland Promise Center, we offered education about spaying and neutering pets,” said coordinator Patty Groot. “We revamped the teen room at the Boys and Girls Club and gave outfits to the homeless at Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church.”
Other recipients included Operation Brightside and the Cabbage Patch Settlement House.
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The yearly day of service partnered church members with 15 local organizations to perform various tasks.
“At the Portland Promise Center, we offered education about spaying and neutering pets,” said coordinator Patty Groot. “We revamped the teen room at the Boys and Girls Club and gave outfits to the homeless at Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church.”
Other recipients included Operation Brightside and the Cabbage Patch Settlement House.
Houses of worship take steps to stop flu spread
They rank among the best-recognized practices at Catholic Mass: sipping wine from a chalice, shaking hands while exchanging the "sign of peace," and, in many parishes, holding hands during the Lord's Prayer.
But these meaningful rituals also present opportunities to spread germs, and in a season of rising concern over swine flu, they will be observed by fewer Catholics this fall. Hoping to prevent the flu from spreading through pews, many Catholic dioceses in recent weeks have been alerting parishes to Aware of the growing concern about swine flu, religious leaders are making an effort to protect congregants from contracting the disease at a place of worship.
Last spring, when the H1N1 virus spread in the United States, a nondenominational church in Rahway installed hand-sanitizer dispensers, and a national Muslim group urged that Friday mosque gatherings be canceled if a health risk existed.
Catholic parishes in New Jersey will continue to offer Communion wine from a common chalice. But church authorities are reminding lay people that receiving Communion that way is not essential, and that receiving it in wafer form is sufficient.
Catholics believe that consecrated wafers become the body of Christ, and that consecrated wine becomes the blood of Christ.
"Please remember," Paterson Bishop Arthur Serratelli wrote in the Sept. 17 issue of his diocesan newspaper, "that anyone who receives the Body of Christ (in the form of a consecrated wafer) receives the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ and is in no way deprived by not receiving the Precious Blood from the cup."
How the swine flu will ultimately affect the state this fall is hard to predict. Earlier this month, a public health advocacy group predicted 3 million New Jerseyans could catch it and 42,000 could be hospitalized.
VARYING levels OF PROTECTION
Elsewhere, Catholic bishops, who have autonomy over their own diocese, have come down differently on flu prevention. In Pennsylvania, parishes in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown will not even offer Communion from the chalice through flu season.
Source: http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-15/1255218904321790.xml&coll=1
But these meaningful rituals also present opportunities to spread germs, and in a season of rising concern over swine flu, they will be observed by fewer Catholics this fall. Hoping to prevent the flu from spreading through pews, many Catholic dioceses in recent weeks have been alerting parishes to Aware of the growing concern about swine flu, religious leaders are making an effort to protect congregants from contracting the disease at a place of worship.
Last spring, when the H1N1 virus spread in the United States, a nondenominational church in Rahway installed hand-sanitizer dispensers, and a national Muslim group urged that Friday mosque gatherings be canceled if a health risk existed.
Catholic parishes in New Jersey will continue to offer Communion wine from a common chalice. But church authorities are reminding lay people that receiving Communion that way is not essential, and that receiving it in wafer form is sufficient.
Catholics believe that consecrated wafers become the body of Christ, and that consecrated wine becomes the blood of Christ.
"Please remember," Paterson Bishop Arthur Serratelli wrote in the Sept. 17 issue of his diocesan newspaper, "that anyone who receives the Body of Christ (in the form of a consecrated wafer) receives the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ and is in no way deprived by not receiving the Precious Blood from the cup."
How the swine flu will ultimately affect the state this fall is hard to predict. Earlier this month, a public health advocacy group predicted 3 million New Jerseyans could catch it and 42,000 could be hospitalized.
VARYING levels OF PROTECTION
Elsewhere, Catholic bishops, who have autonomy over their own diocese, have come down differently on flu prevention. In Pennsylvania, parishes in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown will not even offer Communion from the chalice through flu season.
Source: http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-15/1255218904321790.xml&coll=1
Coats for Christ hopes to share warmth before winter
As he cold-weather season nears, Brown County residents in need, especially the children, will be looking for coats to keep them warm.
The Coats for Christ ministry through High Mesa Cowboy Church of Brownwood is collecting coats or donations for children who are in need, and volunteers will continue to collect them throughout winter. But they said they would like to get as many coats as possible by the end of this month when the weather begins to get much colder.
The Coats for Christ ministry through High Mesa Cowboy Church of Brownwood is collecting coats or donations for children who are in need, and volunteers will continue to collect them throughout winter. But they said they would like to get as many coats as possible by the end of this month when the weather begins to get much colder.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Pastor shares his faith with youth
Youth for Christ reaches out to all kids
By KATINA TENGESDAL, Staff Writer ktengesdal@minotdailynews.com
Larry Stenson, executive director of Minot’s Youth for Christ, has always enjoyed sharing his faith with youth. As the recipient of the 2008-2009 Minot Character Counts! Coalition Builder Award, he was recognized for his dedication to improving the lives of area youth with his advice and support.
Stenson began his journey working with youth in 1970 as a freshman in college in the Los Angeles area, where he first began working with the Youth for Christ organization.
“I’ve just fallen in love with this age group (high school). I think it’s a very important age group. At this age, and even before, kids are making some important decisions about what they want to do. It’s a critical age to impact kids spiritually,” Stenson said.
From that time on, he worked with youth in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Minot. Throughout his work, he’s noticed differences in yesterday and today’s youth.
“Kids have changed incredibly, even from when I started out in a much more liberal area like California. Kids have a lot of the same issues they did then, and some bigger ones. With the advent of the Internet and other media, which is now much more a part of their life, they pick up on the trends more quickly,” Stenson said.
“Kids are facing bigger issues than they ever have, for example, with the threat of AIDS, and break downs in the family structure,” he added.
Through Youth for Christ ministry, Stenson hopes to keep an open communication with youth, speaking to the issues that most concern them.
“We consider ourselves to be a relational ministry. We want the kids’ response. We believe we have to earn the right to be heard, by building a relationship with them, and then we can share Christ with them,” Stenson said.
In most years, there are common issues that the kids want to discuss. Stenson, along with Youth for Christ volunteers, speak to those issues that matter to the kids.
“It seems every year the common issues are acceptance, friendships, getting along with parents and siblings, self image, and love, sex, and dating,” Stenson said.
The message of Christ, Stenson said, really speaks to the biggest issue most kids face – that of self-acceptance.
“I really believe the message of Christ is, come as you are. It’s a message kids are desperately trying to find, through relationships, entertainments, or abuses like alcohol. But, as the Bible says, if anyone is in Christ, the old is gone and the new has come. I think that speaks to what kids are searching for,” Stenson said.
“We’d love to see every kid in the Minot area come to an event where they can hear the message of Christ, in a way they can understand it and ask questions about it. We’d like to reach them all,” he added.
Youth for Christ is still trying to do just that. Since 1998 they have owned a building in Minot, called The Rock, where they hold regular meetings and special events. The building is uniquely decorated, to create a comfortable atmosphere.
“We have a pretty neat little center here. Some of the kids have a bias against going to church, and we’ve been able to have some very unchurched kids hang around. We want to give all kids the opportunity to make an informed decision to follow Christ,” Stenson said.
“For some of them, who haven’t been raised in a church home, it’s sometimes a new message, and that can be exciting,” he added.
A new feature they have added this spring is the Solid Rock Cafe, which is a meeting place for kids open Friday nights from 7 p.m. to midnight. The Solid Rock Cafe offers a place for kids to play video games and table games, watch music videos, socialize, and purchase snacks.
“We wanted to create a place where kids can hang out, especially for those kids who aren’t comfortable with formal meetings. We’ve had as many as 37 kids here for the cafe,” Stenson said.
Other special events Youth for Christ hosts include an all nighter New Years Eve party, a city-wide youth rally, high adventure trips, smaller Bible study groups, individual and family counseling, some fundraisers, and character building assemblies for schools.
This year alone, Stenson said, he has had the opportunity to work with 1,500 different kids through Youth for Christ events.
Throughout his work with youth, Stenson has been encouraged by Psalm 71:18, which states, “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.”
“Our greatest hope is that the kids will take with them a lifelong faith that will matter, and we hope they stay involved with the church and keep growing,” Stenson said.
Source: http://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/532669.html?nav=5616
By KATINA TENGESDAL, Staff Writer ktengesdal@minotdailynews.com
Larry Stenson, executive director of Minot’s Youth for Christ, has always enjoyed sharing his faith with youth. As the recipient of the 2008-2009 Minot Character Counts! Coalition Builder Award, he was recognized for his dedication to improving the lives of area youth with his advice and support.
Stenson began his journey working with youth in 1970 as a freshman in college in the Los Angeles area, where he first began working with the Youth for Christ organization.
“I’ve just fallen in love with this age group (high school). I think it’s a very important age group. At this age, and even before, kids are making some important decisions about what they want to do. It’s a critical age to impact kids spiritually,” Stenson said.
From that time on, he worked with youth in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Minot. Throughout his work, he’s noticed differences in yesterday and today’s youth.
“Kids have changed incredibly, even from when I started out in a much more liberal area like California. Kids have a lot of the same issues they did then, and some bigger ones. With the advent of the Internet and other media, which is now much more a part of their life, they pick up on the trends more quickly,” Stenson said.
“Kids are facing bigger issues than they ever have, for example, with the threat of AIDS, and break downs in the family structure,” he added.
Through Youth for Christ ministry, Stenson hopes to keep an open communication with youth, speaking to the issues that most concern them.
“We consider ourselves to be a relational ministry. We want the kids’ response. We believe we have to earn the right to be heard, by building a relationship with them, and then we can share Christ with them,” Stenson said.
In most years, there are common issues that the kids want to discuss. Stenson, along with Youth for Christ volunteers, speak to those issues that matter to the kids.
“It seems every year the common issues are acceptance, friendships, getting along with parents and siblings, self image, and love, sex, and dating,” Stenson said.
The message of Christ, Stenson said, really speaks to the biggest issue most kids face – that of self-acceptance.
“I really believe the message of Christ is, come as you are. It’s a message kids are desperately trying to find, through relationships, entertainments, or abuses like alcohol. But, as the Bible says, if anyone is in Christ, the old is gone and the new has come. I think that speaks to what kids are searching for,” Stenson said.
“We’d love to see every kid in the Minot area come to an event where they can hear the message of Christ, in a way they can understand it and ask questions about it. We’d like to reach them all,” he added.
Youth for Christ is still trying to do just that. Since 1998 they have owned a building in Minot, called The Rock, where they hold regular meetings and special events. The building is uniquely decorated, to create a comfortable atmosphere.
“We have a pretty neat little center here. Some of the kids have a bias against going to church, and we’ve been able to have some very unchurched kids hang around. We want to give all kids the opportunity to make an informed decision to follow Christ,” Stenson said.
“For some of them, who haven’t been raised in a church home, it’s sometimes a new message, and that can be exciting,” he added.
A new feature they have added this spring is the Solid Rock Cafe, which is a meeting place for kids open Friday nights from 7 p.m. to midnight. The Solid Rock Cafe offers a place for kids to play video games and table games, watch music videos, socialize, and purchase snacks.
“We wanted to create a place where kids can hang out, especially for those kids who aren’t comfortable with formal meetings. We’ve had as many as 37 kids here for the cafe,” Stenson said.
Other special events Youth for Christ hosts include an all nighter New Years Eve party, a city-wide youth rally, high adventure trips, smaller Bible study groups, individual and family counseling, some fundraisers, and character building assemblies for schools.
This year alone, Stenson said, he has had the opportunity to work with 1,500 different kids through Youth for Christ events.
Throughout his work with youth, Stenson has been encouraged by Psalm 71:18, which states, “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.”
“Our greatest hope is that the kids will take with them a lifelong faith that will matter, and we hope they stay involved with the church and keep growing,” Stenson said.
Source: http://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/532669.html?nav=5616
Billy Graham | Christ can lift old hurts from your shoulders
DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: Recently, you’ve written some columns on forgiveness, but how can you forgive someone who’s no longer alive? After my husband passed away last year, I found out he’d been unfaithful to me and had even fathered a child, and I’m having a very hard time dealing with this. I know I should forgive him, but how can I since he’s no longer alive? — C.S.
DEAR C.S.: You’re right, of course; we can’t really say, “I forgive you” to someone who is no longer alive. This is one reason why I urge people not to carry their burden of anger and bitterness any longer, but — with God’s help — to get rid of it by forgiving those who’ve hurt them. I realize, however, that this wasn’t possible in your case.
No, you can’t forgive your late husband for what he did, but you can turn your pain and your hurt over to God, and let him lift them from your shoulders.
God knows what you’ve been going through — and he loves you and wants to take this burden from your heart. The Bible says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22).
How can you do this? First, if you’ve never done so, turn to Jesus Christ and ask him to come into your life. He loves you, and when we come to him in repentance and faith, he makes us part of his family forever. Then ask him to take this burden from you, and to take away the hurt and anger you feel.
In addition, ask God to guide your future. It’s easy to get stuck in the past — but don’t let that happen to you. Instead, you can face the future with hope, because Christ is now with you.
SOurce: http://www.kansascity.com/238/story/1479381.html
DEAR C.S.: You’re right, of course; we can’t really say, “I forgive you” to someone who is no longer alive. This is one reason why I urge people not to carry their burden of anger and bitterness any longer, but — with God’s help — to get rid of it by forgiving those who’ve hurt them. I realize, however, that this wasn’t possible in your case.
No, you can’t forgive your late husband for what he did, but you can turn your pain and your hurt over to God, and let him lift them from your shoulders.
God knows what you’ve been going through — and he loves you and wants to take this burden from your heart. The Bible says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22).
How can you do this? First, if you’ve never done so, turn to Jesus Christ and ask him to come into your life. He loves you, and when we come to him in repentance and faith, he makes us part of his family forever. Then ask him to take this burden from you, and to take away the hurt and anger you feel.
In addition, ask God to guide your future. It’s easy to get stuck in the past — but don’t let that happen to you. Instead, you can face the future with hope, because Christ is now with you.
SOurce: http://www.kansascity.com/238/story/1479381.html
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