Typically, Snowshoe Resort might conjure up images of downhill skiing or sipping hot chocolate by a fire.  In July, quite the opposite is true, as 13 Bridgeport United Methodist Church Youth arrived for three days of worship, water play and service.  The group attended Rally on the Mountain, hosted by the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church.  The event was created by youth for youth to celebrate and grow in faith and learn how to better serve others. 

 

This year’s theme for the event was “Change 2016”  and workshops revolved around how God can change their hearts, how they can 

change the church and young people today can have a lasting change on the world at large. 

 

“Each morning and evening the youth attended worship services that included the band, Render the Hearts, and the Rev. Dominique Robinson,” said Jennifer Knicely Sprouse, who chaperoned the trip along with Bart Sprouse, Matt Dearth and Rachel Fulks.  “We also had the opportunity to view the unique ministry of sand artist Gary Shockley.”

 

The youth also attended workshops throughout the day, which encouraged them to overcome differences, handle social media appropriately, how to help overcome the stigma of mental illness and how to prepare for the transition to college.

 

The weekend was full of outdoor adventures such as zip lining, lake games, rock walls and golf.  “The youth really had fun bonding with others from around the state as they swam, climbed, paddled and splashed together at the resort,” said Sprouse.

 

Maizze Christie and Luke Malenich, who had recently completed confirmation were treated to a dinner with Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball at Foxfire Restaurant Saturday night.  BHS Junior, Jenna Soltez, who serves on the West Virginia Conference Council of Youth Ministries, assisted in the planning and leading of the event.

 

The route to Snowshoe Mountain was among the areas affected by the flooding in June and gave the youth an opportunity to put into practice what they had learned about service.  The group assembled health kits to be sent to the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church’s Disaster Response Ministry.  “Knowing we were helping those affected by the disaster allowed the youth to witness first-hand how they could make a difference,” Sprouse said.

 

Others attending the event from Bridgeport included Mallory Leadman, Olivia Leadman, Phillip Malenich, Hope Rieser, Morgan Sprouse, Sara Sprouse, Brett Tustin, Seth Tustin, Vaughn Vincent, and Maggie Walker.