A NOTE from the LIFT Leader

When Mtr. Lisa arrived here over 3 1/2 years ago, she was fresh-faced from Seminary and I was
fresh-faced in a youth program. Truthfully, when it came to running a youth program, neither
one of us knew what we were doing. She may debate that, but I'll argue back. We plodded
ahead, me with my enthusiasm, her with her administrative skills. We knocked a couple of
rough edges off of each other in the process. But in the end, became good friends.

I want you to know that Lisa has been instrumental in helping redesign the Youth Advisory
Committee, (YAC). Before she came, we didn’t even have a directory of our youth. Our YAC
group now has a separate working directory that gets updated every year. She was instrumental
in leading our committee to a vision/mission/purpose statement. Lisa updated ALL of our forms
for registration, permission slips for mission trips, a youth covenant, guest permission and
covenant forms, cool advertisements for activity days, service days, holy days…you get the
picture. This is the stuff that is NOT in my wheel house.

She shows up for chaperoning. She shows up for unloading pumpkins. She puts up pumpkin
signs and counts money (with Kim Curtis’ help, as well). She calls me up and encourages me
and asks me how I’m doing. She’s been amazing. I’ve watched her grow in wisdom, patience,
sensitivity, humility and caring. Bottom line: I could not have been as successful with trying to
lead a program without her help. Of course, that goes for our wonderful YAC group, as well.
When I told God (and Jesse) that I would take on our LIFT group, I did so because I really
wanted to teach our youth. But I prayed, Lord, I really need help with this other stuff so I can be
in MY wheelhouse of teaching and just being with the kids. Well, voila! God sent a great
committee and God sent Lisa.

Going forward, I will be asking myself, What would Lisa Do?
I just wanted you all to know why I will miss my friend, Lisa.

Peace, Kay

P.S. Our YAC group consists of nine devoted adults (parents and non-parents) that take on
separate responsibilities of service projects, food, confirmation, mission trips, special event
planning, etc. Our new design spreads the work of ministering to our Youth while not
overburdening one person. Lisa has helped this come about.
Members: Heidi Guthrie, Margaret Longsworth, Michelle Chan, Fred & Caroline Hille, Samia
Hefferan, Paul Carrubba, Kay Lewis, Mtr. Lisa Erdeljon (Ric Lindeen, on sabbatical)
YOUTH MINISTRY AT ST. MICHAELS
VISION: To know and live a Jesus-Centered life for our youth.
MISSION: To provide learning, service, and fellowship within an Episcopal framework of
Christianity
PURPOSE: Knowledge of what it means to be Christian in order to Live In Faith Together