Photos & Reflection from Youth Group’s “Walk, Love, Serve” Service Trip

From Saturday, June 26 through Saturday, July 3, members of Resurrection’s high school Youth Group participated in Walk, Love, Serve, our summer service trip. Participants spent two full days exploring civil rights sites in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by three days of service work with partners around Indianapolis. We also engaged in conversations about racial justice and our role as people of faith in anti-racism movements.

Walk, Love, Serve Reflection

By Victoria Hoppes

 This summer, six members of Resurrection’s high school Youth Group, along with four adult mentors, participated in Walk, Love, Serve, a service trip. We spent two full days exploring museums and civil rights sites in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by three days of service work with partner organizations across Indianapolis. The purpose of this trip was to engage our youth in learning about racial justice through listening, reading, conversation, worship, prayer, and building relationships with neighbors at home.

We did so many things together: we sang, prayed, and shared highs and lows. We learned new things about the history of racism in the United States. We practiced how to have conversations about racism with other people. We played games with children. We participated in the ministry of an urban garden. We learned about housing discrimination and how it impacts people living in central Indiana. We also ended our trip with a gathering around the font, giving thanks for Baptism and re-committing ourselves to the work of anti-racism in our church, community, nation, and world.

Although there were many good moments that we experienced during this trip, here are a few highlights that stick out in my mind:

• The conversations while debriefing the podcasts, songs, and audiobooks that we listened to during our travels to and from Atlanta.
• Singing and praying together in Centennial Olympic Park.
• Walking Auburn Avenue and learning about the effect of urbanization on Black communities.
• All of the work we did with our service partners: The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, Hope for Tomorrow, and the Felege Hiywot Center.

There are many other stories, memories, and lessons from our trip. If you are able, I invite you to talk to those who participated and learn about their week. These stories equip and empower us to continue the work of anti-racism in our own homes, church, and community.

Contact: Victoria Hoppes, victoria@rlcindy.org