Hope and trust in God

“For you, O God, are my hope, my trust, O God from my youth.”  --Psalm 71:5   An Inclusive Language Lectionary

“This may be the first and only opportunity the youth have for Christian and spiritual exposure,” says Kathryn Cooper-Nicholas, executive director of the Methodist Action Program in Wilmington, Del.

Kalief Ringgold, a 17 year-old high school junior, bears witness to this testimony. In 2002, he attended the agency’s free Summer Youth Entrepreneur Camp and was quickly recognized as a positive peer mentor.

“Somebody always outshines the other participants,” notes Shawn Allen, program coordinator. “Kalief has leadership ability, shows initiative and understands partnership. He’s become y right-hand man. He’s very valuable to me.”

The Methodist Action Program introduces “at-risk” teenagers to the world of entrepreneurship by teaching them to operate small businesses. After two weeks of intensive training, the youth write business plans, get licenses, work with established business owners at the Shoppes at 827 and eventually embark on their own.

Your offering on Human Relations Day encourages people of all ages to hope and trust in God.

♦ Christ-centered Youth Offender Rehabilitation projects like the Methodist Action Program give teen-agers a chance to succeed.
♦ More than 30 church-based community developers work in racial- and ethnic-minority communities in the United States and Puerto Rico.
♦ A multiracial network of grass roots social justice organizations related to United Methodist Voluntary Service provides vital outreach.

God calls us to share our faith. Please give generously on Human Relations Day, the Sunday before the birthday observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Your gift makes a world of difference!