Mission Day 2018: An Amazing Experience

Mission Day 2018: An Amazing Experience

It was a sunny beautiful day in Urbana on Saturday, March 10th, but it paled in comparison to the bright, shining, and attentive faces of the more than 100 youth who participated in Mission Day at Cunningham Children’s Home.  
 
The Mission Day experience gives  participants the opportunity to learn what happens daily to help the vulnerable and hurting youth that Cunningham serves, the importance of faith for healing, the involvement of United Methodists in Cunningham’s mission, and how to put their prayers, presence, gifts, and service into action.
 
“What a wonderful day we experienced on Saturday,” said Pastor Sara Isbell. “The staff really tells the Cunningham story so beautifully and effectively. The program of allowing kids to not only hear about, but participate in and contribute to the ministry of Cunningham is really powerful. We all learned so much.”
 
Cunningham’s Chaplain Gay began the Mission Day activities by leading the group in prayer and with music provided by a choir consisting of Cunningham kids and staff. Then the group is divided into five segments and throughout the day, they rotate through five different programs including Cooperative Games, Spiritual Programming, Mission, Expressive Arts, and Drumming.
 
“My favorite part of the day was the music and interacting with everyone,” said 15-year-old Cole.  “I really liked when we learned about Music Therapy (Drumming) too. It felt like everyone was working together very well.  I also learned that just because someone is down doesn’t mean they don’t still have a chance in life. Cunningham is a great place for kids to get back on their feet.”