A Couple Prayers for the Year

From this moment, I leave in a little under twenty-four hours! An extremely short amount of time. So since I have a lot to do before then (mostly packing), I am going to keep this brief. In an earlier post I asked you all for prayers. Prayers not only for myself, but also for the people I will work with and our ministry together. Here are two prayers, one that was given to me and one that was prayed for me that I would love to share with you. I hope you will join me in these prayers for this year.

This first prayer was given to me for the youth I will be working with in Paris. It is a beautiful prayer and I ask that you pray it with me.

Our Heavenly Father, we lift up to you the youth of our cathedral community. Fill and surround each one of them with your light, and comfort and guide them in their journeys to adulthood.  

We pray that you prepare the hearts of those congregation members you will summon to youth ministry. May they hear the call and feel your gentle pull. Ripen their spirits to step forward as youth leaders, mentors, and special project managers.

As full members of your body, knit all of us connected to youth into a prayerful, supportive organ. That we may find nourishment in You and each other. And that through your unconditional love, we lead the youth to Christ. Amen

Last Sunday, I was blessed to attend church in Waupun, Wisconsin and the newly ordained Deacon Monica asked if she could say a sending prayer for/with me. This is the beautiful prayer she said and again I ask you to join in this prayer for my new adventure.

O God, we ask you to lift up Naomi and keep her under your wing, strengthen her in her service, give her a sense of adventure and raise her up when times get tough. Keep her safely in your care, in Jesus name we pray. Amen. 

Thank you all for your willingness to share in this journey with me! I cannot wait to get started!

Fundraising!

Yesterday I received the exciting news that I will be leaving for Paris on August 25! It is so soon and I am both anxious and thrilled at the same time. However, I am only a third of the way to my fundraising goal and I could use your help!

A year with YASC costs approximately $24,000. This covers insurance (medical, life, and evacuation insurance), travel, visa, immunizations, monthly stipend, and orientation. The Episcopal Church covers $14,000. The Church asks each YASCer to fundraise $10,000, approximately $30 a day. I am asking you to prayerfully consider sponsoring a day, a week, a month. I even created a calendar on this blog (look to the right if interested) so that you can sign up for a specific day. This calendar will remind me to say an extra prayer for you that day. And it's an additional way to keep us connected.

           

Fundraising is not my forte. But this is a little different because I'm not asking for this just for myself. This coming year I will be serving the church, so at the very heart of it, I will be serving you and others. This is an invitation to join me. You are a huge part of my journey! I will need your love and support this year. But also I would love to share with you what I see God doing. And it would be wonderful to hear what you see God doing!

If you feel called to join me on this journey financially there are two options. You can donate online at https://edok.formstack.com/forms/naomiyasc or there is an option to use credit cards or send checks (look to the right under Fundraising). Of course, I do not want $30 to be a hang up for anyone. I encourage you to pray about this and give what you can. And maybe your gift can't be monetary. I need prayers more than money anyway. So please, whether you donate or not, pray for me. This year is a dream and it's a fear. I can use all the prayers I can get!