City Kids Preparing for Camp Oasis

Please be in prayer for youth, young adults and adult leaders as they prepare to pack it up and head to camp. Camp Oasis is a special long weekend camp in Central Florida for the youth of Miami. It's been happening every Spring Break for about 15 years.
Pray for the youth to be open to the new experiences of attending camp. Pray for the leaders to guide and lead. Pray for the Camp staff in central Florida to receive the group with a welcoming and gentle spirit. Pray for the weather to allow for the many outdoor activities that camp is good for.
We are thankful for God's presence in Miami and in rural camps in central Florida. May God be worshiped and praised in both!

Welcome Auburn University's Campus Ministry

After a fantastic week last week, we are in for another. this week we are hosting Auburn's campus ministry's spring break mission trip. Their previous plans of serving in Haiti were cancelled due to the earthquake. Even now, skilled labor and first responders are needed in country. However, this week they'll be focusing on the Haitian community in Miami and the relief efforts being staged from here. May God be glorified in all that is done and said. May this week open each participant's eyes to interconnectedness of God's people.

Reflections on a weekend retreat by Dweller Megan

Read her post or the blog. Read other Dweller reflections.

We were the only church down south who were crazy enough to make the five hour drive up north. Since we were so far “north,” the weather changed. Our kids were completely unprepared for the cold that awaited us in Leesburg and most of them only showed up with flip flops. Although, to be fair, I think more than anything that most of our kids actually only own flip flops.
I learned a lot about our youth this past weekend. Five hours in a car will do that to any group of people. However, I learned more about their lives and their Florida City culture. I learned mostly by listening. Not by listening to the ridiculous stories they told, or to their complaints, or to their conversations with one another. I learned so much more about their lives by listening to their questions.

Welcome Brookside!

Today we welcomed Brookside Congregational Church. They came from Manchester, NH and we welcomed them with Miami's beautiful winter weather- Sunny  High of 75  Low of 60! 
May this week be filled with God's presence and may God's love radiate like the warmth of the sun.

Last weekend for Mahalia

Mahalia has been playing at the M Ensemble theatre company in North Miami. Not only is the M Ensemble company amazing and the longest running African American theatre, but the production is fantastic. Christina Alexander, known to some to sing with us at the Lighthouse, has the lead. But the rest of the cast is equally amazing. Catch it if you can.  Maybe enough people are interested they'll hold it over for another weekend.

Not just a Superbowl weekend

It was an exciting time in Miami this weekend. Gorgeous weather coupled with the many tourists and fans of the Superbowl teams weren't the only excitement in town. Also the new class of Brethren Volunteer Corps participants were in town as a part of the orientation to their year of service. Seventeen participants and leaders enjoyed the sun, food, sands and people of Miami. We pray blessings on them and may the year of service in all of their respective locations open up their hearts and minds to God's call in their lives.

January Weekend of Service

January 20-23 was a great weekend of mission, service and learning in Miami. We were joined by Garber United Methodist of New Bern, NC and our 'old' friends from Trinity United Methodist of Sarasota, FL. Even though the two groups had very different service assignments, they were of one accord in their hearts and minds. One team spent time with people of Miami who are homeless.  The other team spent their time and skill in helping a new church merger renovate their kitchen. Both teams shared stories, asked questions, made friends and worshiped God in all they said and did.  We're thankful for their service and look forward to a great Spring break season.