LIPY Youth of Central Massachusetts sponsor dinner dance for LSS clients

By Kevin Joslyn, Zion, Oxford, Mass.

With assistance from Barbara Steege of Zion, Oxford, Mass., Lutheran Social Services of New England (LSS) had their prayers answered by a group of kids!

These “kids” from Central Massachusetts boldly stepped out in faith to provide “a smile, a handshake, a hug and even a dance to residents in two of the programs for developmentally disabled adults operated by LSS in Worcester, Mass.

In May, the Lutheran Inter-Parish Youth of Central Massachusetts (LIPY) sponsored a dinner dance at Trinity Lutheran Church, Worcester, for residents of the David Forsberg Independent Living Program and North Ashland Street, two LSS programs that assist adults with developmental disabilities in their daily lives and responsibilities.

LIPY consists of youth in grades seven to 12 from six different churches in the Central Massachusetts area. It is co-chaired by Pr. Andrew Borden, Zion, Worcester, and Pr. Andrew Simon, Zion, Oxford, Mass.

With a catered meal from a local Italian Restaurant and a disc jockey playing music, 35 youth, more than 30 residents from the two LSS programs, and 20 staff members and chaperones made it a night to remember. Everyone was eager to dance and enjoy the evening. With the Holy Spirit’s presence, a difference was made in the lives of each individual who attended. It was truly a testimonial to the character of each member of LIPY who could have spent their Friday night out a party or at the movie theater. Instead, they took the time to give individuals an opportunity to smile, to shake their hands, to hug and to dance; these things which many of us all too often take for granted.

The LIPY organization has been blessed by God’s amazing grace with youth members, ministers, and other adult leaders that make events like this possible. Together, we can all have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people in our community.

Special thanks to Trinity for allowing LIPY to host the dinner dance at the church, to everyone who attended, and, most importantly, to the grace of God for guiding the youth to provide the opportunity to touch so many lives.

Kevin Joslyn, Zion, Oxford, Mass., is a senior at Sutton Memorial High School, Sutton, Mass. He plans to major in communication at college next fall.