Even More from Sukkot!

Well, here we are yet again with some more about this past Feast of Tabernacles. Believe it or not, it's been less than three months since Sukkot. But have no worries! We're halfway to Passover! And besides, winter is fun, right?

Nonetheless, I am here to share with you an encouraging report from the Sukkot kept by the Passion for Truth ministry in Illinois. Thanks to Hannah for sending in the youth report!

"This year, we had Sukkot at Bon County Christian Camp out in Illinois. It's a beautiful place. I'm guessing there were about 100 people who came. We camped in tents. We had for the most part beautiful weather, and nice fall breezes.

It was an amazing experience for many people, as it was their first time ever being to a Sukkot. We would have a midrash under the Sukkah every morning and open up the Word, and dig in to some amazing things. In the afternoon, there would be classes. Some of the different classes were dancing, flags and what the different colors mean, how to build a fire from scratch, knot tying, cooking in the outdoors etc. There were also some fun kids classes. Some of the activities and crafts that they would do: Treasure hunts, making edible Sukkahs, singing, practicing for a play, etc. In the evenings, we would have worship and dance. It was an amazing time to spend time with the Father and praise Him. When it was dark, we would build a big bonfire, and sing and play games and tell stories. It was lots of fun.

The food that Passion For Truth provided in the evenings was delicious! From the salads, main dishes, sides, to the desserts! It was all very yummy. It was also an awesome time to fellowship.

Just being able to take a week and be with my true Mish-Picha (family), was an awesome feeling. To be able to hang out with friends and family ALL WEEK was so much fun!

Shalom!

~Hannah"

It sounds like a great time was had by all! To go along with it, here is a link to some great photos taken of the feast with Passion for Truth: http://meghanwilliams.com/photos/?s=sukkot+day+1
********************************************

Since winter is indeed upon us, we may now have the opportunity to view more content in the comfort and warmth of our homes. Which is why for those of you who read this blog, you should look for some more posts coming up over the next week or two (haven't we heard that before). But I mean it this time! We have a couple of short stories and articles to show you, as well as a video to link you to. But for now, may YHWH bless you and your families abundantly, and keep you warm during these cold months. He is good and always provides for His people in their time of need. So again, may YHWH bless you and keep you!

Sukkot is Here!

Actually, Sukkot just passed last month. We have been meaning to post some pictures and reports from the feast, but as usual, we've all been a bit busy and haven't gotten around to it until now.

Nonetheless, we do have some reports for you, as well as some pictures, poems, songs, and other thoughts. We hope you enjoy!

But to start it off, I (Jared here) might as well fill you in on the Feast of Tabernacles I attended in Rockford, Illinois. To describe it briefly, it was a blessed time of fellowship, praise, and healing for all involved. One of the more blessed parts of the week was seeing how caring and willing the were when it came to participating in activities, and more importantly, being a part of the body there. The Youth Service that was put together for one meeting was probably one of the best during the entire week, if not one of the most interesting (in a good way). There was also plenty of great music throughout Sukkot, with many of the youth avidly participating in that, as you will see in the pictures below.
(Photos courtesy of Micaela A.)

Here's a picture of everyone in attendence. Look at all those smiling faces you can only barely make out in the distance! (Close ups to follow.)

Below are pictures of Art, Mike, and Marcus, preparing to jam and practicing for a special offering:

And here is the whole group of youth playing and singing together:

Here's a photo of me reading something up front (can't remember which something this was):

A photo of some of the younger children doing something:

(I'm not sure what's going on here, but I suspect they are having a board meeting.)

And with that, I will leave you lovely readers until next time. Look back here for more posts about FOT 2011. There is some good stuff to come; hope you enjoy!
Be safe and may YHWH bless you!

Newsletter 6.5--October / Day of Atonement

(Photo Courtesy of Jenna C.)

This month, since a lot of people are busy with and preparing for the Feasts of YHWH, we are going to have a shorter Newsletter, posted only here on the blog. We hope you enjoy.

First of all, as the Feast of Tabernacles is coming up this next week, we invite all of the youth to be prolific photographers and take snapshots of the festivities. Afterwards, you are very welcome to send in some of those photos to us, and we will use them to be featured in the next newsletter as well as on the website. We look forward to seeing the joy you have to share with us!

Now, with the feast time upon us once again, it becomes a good time to reflect on the life that we have, especially on Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. As the scripture says:

"Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one's head like a reed and for spreading sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to YHWH? Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed fo free and break every yoke?" (Isa. 58:5-6)

Our Father has called us to great things, and we have a great opportunity to share with others the great things he has done for us.

With this in mind, I would like to share with you a poem I wrote during last year's Day of Atonement.

The Servant's Freedom in the Face of Guilt and Oppression

A great gathering was called in which the people came together.
It was a very beautiful sight, with the men in white linen
And all the women and children singing songs of praise.
And out in the street, what was found?
There may have been many others out in the street—
Men who could not afford to go in with white linen
And women too busy finding food for their children
To attend to the songs of their own souls.
But out in the street, what was found?

In the street was a most amazing sight,
Something so special that it was hard to describe at first,
As the size of the assembly caused the crowd
To pour out into the road.
Everyone was dressed in fine white robes—
The poor, the hungry, the broken, the tortured,
The ones who looked nothing like a priest.

Everyone looked like redemption was near,
Everyone looked like their faults were forgiven,
Their past troubles covered by a red blanket
Of a bloody lamb and his bleeding saints
Suffering for something more wonderful
Than a name on a plaque in a window glazed with an angelic face.
So how did they do it? How did they find hope in the street?

One man sprinkled a goat's and bull's blood over the heads of the house.
Another man led a goat into the desert where it would be lost.
A third man took the leftover parts and burned them outside the city.
And the rest of the people ran to each other with knives in hand
And unbound their neighbors so that they could go to the assembly
And wear their beautiful white robes.


********************************
May YHWH bless and keep you all. We hope to hear from you soon. Shalom!
Jared