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By Ferina Moses

It was December 22, 2007 and members of the Trinity youth group, youth leaders, chaperones, parents and clergy were having a great time at the youth holiday party. The young people played twister, danced to the music of a great DJ, laughed, and ate popcorn and other goodies. The night came to an end with everyone wishing each other Merry Christmas.

The very next day,Tynishia Brown, a 13-year-old member of the youth group, was taken ill and brought to the hospital with rapid-moving lupus. Clergy and laity visited the hospital daily and the youth group prayed as a group and in their daily lives.

The Vicar, the Rev. Canon Anne Mallonee, worked closely with the youth leaders on a "Prayer Vigil" held on Sunday, January 20. The Vigil, an all-day event, was open to the congregation and visitors, and was attended by more than 100 people. The Rector, the Rev. Dr. James H. Cooper, led a "Crisis Session" with the youth on dealing with grave difficulty. They had never reflected on what it means to pray for a member of the youth group in a time of crisis. They had questions for God, like how could this happen?

Tynishia spent six weeks in the hospital and another three in a rehabilitation center. As a youth leader, this difficult time served as a transformative time for reminding me, as well as the youth and other youth leaders, that we are filled with the Holy Spirit of God and must hold fast to our faith.

Ferina Moses is a parishioner and leader of the youth group at Trinity Church and St. Paul's Chapel.