Youth Sunday Address by Christoph Stephenson-Moe

Today, the sanctuary seems like a place where I can be closer to God. The Sunday-school room is a place where I learn more interesting things than any of my other history classes at school. And even though I no longer get stranded here without a ride, the church still feels like a second home to me.

There have also been a few people at this church who have had an influence on my life that I would like to thank. I think I’ll start with my first and only confirmation sponsor Mr. Crouse. I remember one time when he took me to get ice cream while we talked about…um… well I’m not exactly sure what we talked about but I do remember the ice cream.

And another time we went fishing in Sarasota bay for at least two hours and all I caught was a nasty sunburn. That was fun.

I would also like to thank Mr. Hartenstine. I’ve never met anyone who was more interested and actively involved in teaching things that at first might seem kind of boring and making them incredibly interesting. More important than teaching cool stuff in Sunday school I would like to thank Mr. Hartenstine for never teaching us what to think but teaching us how to think. I hope that I carry that with me where ever I go.

I want to thank all of the five youth ministers that I lived through during my 18 years here, if I tried to reminisce of experiences with each of them we would be here far too long, but I would like to wish Chris Wood good luck in setting a Redeemer record for “longevity of a youth minister,” I know you can do it.

Now, I know I can’t speak for anyone else but I don’t where I would be, if not for the Civil War sermons of Father Marsden. Not only for their educational value, but for the impressive and creative way in which they are delivered. I don’t know about you but I would have an easier time juggling chainsaws than spreading the word of God using metaphors from the most devastating war in American history.

Of course, last but not least, a Redeemerite that I would to thank for being such a positive influence on me is Fr. Robinson. I have met few men who are as honest and sincere and have such a passion for jam-packing the holy days with a much music as is possible (mom, don’t take it personally). I remember when I was quite a bit younger when I would go into Fr. Robinson’s office with my mom whenever they had something to discuss. I don’t know if any of you have seen the inside of this office but if you have you know it reflects the kind of office you would expect for the chief, the big cheese, the head honcho.

This office is adorned with tasteful artwork, comfortable couches and chairs, and from a seven-year-old’s point of view a very large desk. Despite these impressive features, the thing I remember the most was a short glass table on the side of the room near the couches. On the table there were magazines and art books and right in the center there was a porcelain dish, and in this porcelain dish at all times there were no fewer than 8 million M&Ms. And from the time I was seven until about ten whenever I was in his office I would eat all of his M&Ms. I wonder if there was a four year period in Fr. Robinson’s life were he just didn’t get to eat any M&Ms.

The thing is that this church is more to me than just a summation of events. It’s the feelings I had when I first got to be Thurifer, how I felt when we would finally finish a musical, and how I feel when I think about all the people who helped me and cared about me and loved me while I was here and will do so long after I’m gone. That’s what this church, and the people of this church mean to me.