For many, painful personal issues regarding assault, sexuality, alcohol and drugs have risen to the surface.  I pray for all who remember trauma this day.  There are plenty of youth who are witnessing or participating in parties with alcohol and drugs, who have or will experience sexual assault.   I assume those youth have or will show up in church or in our families.

Our response around kitchen tables, in schools, and in church will impact whether youth come forward in hard times.  Will youth involved in actions that hurt another, reach out and share his/her regret?   Will youth who were hurt, trust that adults will hear the story, and listen with love and wisdom?

How can we respond now, in ways that invite youth to reflect with us about the issues that trouble them?   The door is open.  Can we help one another acknowledge the pain we have caused and the pain we have endured?