After a start-up meeting for StEAM, the 'staff' (deacon, priest, musician(aka: my beloved wife)) and mentoring priest, we all went out for nosh and 'effervescent grain beverage'. Our server comes up asking what I would like. Enthusiastically I reply, "A RUEBEN!" She asks...
"Do you want that with corned beef or turkey?"
!?! "Corned beef!"
"Would you like that on rye or focaccia?"
!?! "Rye!"
Let's be clear about this: A Rueben Sandwich '... is a hot sandwich of layered meat, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese, with a dressing. These are grilled between slices of pumpernickel or rye. The meat is either corned beef or pastrami, and the dressing is either Russian or Thousand Island dressing.' (wikipedia).
Folks, if it has turkey and is on focaccia, it maybe gastronomically correct, but it's
not a Rueben.
Not, no, unh unh, nada, nope, forget about'it, (etc).
For me, everything has a spiritual lesson, even beer and a sandwich: There are lots of 'things' out there parading about under the guise of 'Christianity'. But if it's not missionary in outlook and doesn't hold to the historic faith and teaching of the universal church (e.g. Nicene Creed) - it's not Christianity. Sorry.
What ever it is (and it may be 'nice' and it may be appealing, it might be fun, it might even make you feel good - and how else would you expect temptation to present itself?) it's not Christian.
The
future of the Church is in the hands of the Youth. 50% of our congregations are
under 20 years old so this is a vital ministry. Today young people in Africa
are faced with many struggles and challenges, alongside poverty; they have to
cope with the impact of HIV/Aids, Globalisation and environmental concerns. The
vision of the Youth department is to ensure the provision of spiritual, mental
and physical development of the young people. The mission is to build up the
body of Christ all over the diocese so as to fulfil the great commission of
Jesus Christ. 
The
Youth department is faced with many challenges and despite our lack of material
resources, teaching materials, sports equipment and musical instruments we work
hard at meeting the needs of the young people in order to prepare them for
adult Christian life. In the past the department has organised Youth and
Children camps which have been very successful. As a result of one camp forty
children committed their life to Jesus. Parents have also remarked on how their
children’s attitude and behaviour have improved. 
Other
current activities include organising games and sports for the young people.
There have also been opportunities to do home crafts and join in choirs which
the children have enjoyed. We offer a range of classes including Bible study,
marriage and virginity classes. After a week course on virginity, 25 young
ladies surrendered their life to Christ and every week some have been coming
for counselling. Stewardship classes and HIV/Aids Awareness training have also
been arranged. As well as
continuing the activities mentioned in the future we hope to offer training
workshops for youth leaders in order to encourage and enable them to fulfil
their calling. We also hope to run a big youth event on the theme of
globalisation. Another aim is to raise awareness in our congregations of the
challenges and pressures our young people are faced with today. We encourage you to remember the many
young people and our work with them in your prayers. 
