These are the slides that I used during the Youth Gathering at the Trent Youth Rally day, October 5, 2104 at Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, VA. During my time I talked about ways address issues or race and difference, gender and sexuality, and expectations and commitment.

2. “evelyn”

8. Challenges you may be facing
● Competing demands on loyalties,
time, energy, focus, etc.
● Societal and cultural issues
confronting every day life.
● Overwhelming, choices,
possibilities and expectations
from yourself and others.

9. We are not always helpful

10. Some guidance

11. Jesus was like . . .

12. Prophet, Activist, Doers
Speaks truth to power often taking it to the
streets. Not worried about what other people
think. Calls the community to a radical faith.
Can be perceived as angry, abrasive, uncivil,
impatient, judgemental, etc.

13. Priest, Academic, Thinkers
Through research, study and worship, lifts up
the histories, traditions and foundational
underpinnings of the faith.
Can be perceived as too heady, disconnected, etc.

14. Pastor, Relator, Be’ers
Relationships, conversation and graciousness
are key to community. Yearns for faith that
embraces difference, diversity and unity.
Can be perceived as nice, too accommodating, etc.

15. Poet, Artist, Creatives
Through creative expressions, expands our
understandings of the world and how to
respond -- spoken word, film, song, design, etc.
Can be perceived as abstract and too indirect.

16. ● which are you?
● your church?
● your friends?
● your family?
● your mentors?

17. race and culture

18. race
When you see injustice,
discern effective action
in word and/or deed.
Be willing to sit down
and have conversations
around difference.
Broaden the ways in
which you engage in
culture and difference.
Be discerning, reflective
and teachable when it
comes to issues of race,
past, present and future.

19. gender and sexuality

20. sexuality and gender
Be active when you see
others impacted by
issues of gender.
Talk with same and
other gender about
issues and solutions.
Support creative ways
in which gender
stereotypes challenged.
Reflect on how gender
expectations have
impacted your life.

21. time and expectations

22. time and expectations
Find courage to step
away from or speak up
in order to let go.
Take time to nurture
relationships without
agenda or utility.
Play and create.
Take time to find out
what you need to be find
calm and peace of spirit.

23. Finally
“annie”