Published: September 06, 2008 01:43 pm            

Organizers hope gathering helps teens build spiritual connections

All across the nation, students gather together around the flag pole to pray on See You at the Pole Day.

This year the event will be held on Sept. 24. Young people — and sometimes their parents, too — gather at the flag pole at their schools and pray at about 7:30 in the morning.

But what happens after that? Are there any events to keep that feeling of brotherhood and neighborliness going?

Yes, there is. “The kids gather at the pole to kick off the day, then in the evening there is a non-denominational event for all parents and students who want to come that finishes off the day,” Robin Woodley, the Grand Avenue United Methodist Church youth director, said.

That event is to be held this year at the First Baptist Church, 100 E. Washington Ave., from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

There will be a motivational speaker and praise and worship music provided by Neil Greenhaw.

“It’s been held outside in years past, but the weather is so sketchy, we wanted to hold it in the biggest auditorium in town,” Woodley said, adding that they’re expecting about 500 people, but “hope for a thousand or even more.”

What exactly is See You at the Pole? “It’s a nationwide movement where our students pray at the flag pole right before school starts for the day,” Woodley said. “This year’s theme is Connect. It’s a call to kids to come and pray together.

“All of those kids gathering at the time to pray, it’s just a phenomenal idea. There’s a lot of movement toward it. It’s a chance to connect with each other on a personal level.”

While students in the seventh through 12th grades are “the target audience, parents and any community members are welcome,” Woodley said. “There is a passage in the Bible where Samuel is spoken to by God and he learns that even though you’re young you can build a relationship with God. Even though you are young, you have power.”

Woodley said that several churches have already signed on to take part, and any churches who would like to be a part are welcome. “We would love to have as many churches present as possible,” she said.

Woodley can be contacted at 429-2849.

More information about See You at the Pole can be found at www.syatp.com.

Contact Susan Brittingham at 421-2029 or e-mail sbrittingham@mcalesternews.com.

        

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