Mount Pleasant Magazine Nov/Dec 2016

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about them,” shared Sarkowski. “Our youth discover that
we are called to serve God and neighbor and that means to
take care of one another.”
To learn more about Hands of Christ Ministry or Mount
Pleasant Presbyterian Church, visit .
St. Benedict PariSh
Homeless Awareness Night takes place once
a year at St. Benedict Parish, and it is definitely
a one-of-a-kind lesson in having youth church
members understand what takes place every
night in their community.
“Junior high and high school students are
allowed to participate,” explained April John-
ston, director of Youth Ministry at St. Bene-
dict Parish. “Our teens are allowed to bring
one box to sleep on and one bag of items that
they may need, which includes blankets or
pillows but absolutely no electronics. They
then sleep on church property for one night,
regardless of the weather elements, which
allows them to truly experience what many
teens experience in silence.”
On previous Homeless Awareness Nights,
it rained the entire night, and on another the
temperature was 37 degrees. Last year, approximately 40
students participated, and St. Benedict Parish expects
about the same number this year.
“After they spend the night, the students come together
to develop a service project on how they feel it best to
serve our homeless community,” said Johnston. “We live in
a sort of bubble here East of the Cooper, but our youth are
quick to act once they see what is out there.”
In the past, Homeless Awareness Night has resulted in
a coat drive, a blanket drive and, recently, gathering items
for the blessing bags that contain quarters to do laundry,
soap, fruit cups and other items
“Last year, our youth ministry distributed over 100
blessing bags,” Johnston said. “Young people are amazing
in their service. They are service driven because they see
the fruit that comes from it.”
To learn more about Homeless Awareness Night, the
resulting service projects or St. Benedict Parish, visit
.
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Photo courtesy of St. Benedict Parish.
Teens from St. Benedict Parish participating in Homeless Awareness Night in 2014.
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