From the Program Director, Donna Eisenbath:
I can’t think of a timelier musical than Children of Eden. What a poignant reminder of the awesome power that God has placed within each one of us by giving us free will, the power within us “to choose to stop the hating.” As the teens have prayed twice each day, “Every moment of our lives is the beginning.”
Every year I stand in awe at the courage, dedication and giftedness of the young people who join us, and the staff who lead us. YSP has grown in blessings every year. I am grateful to so many, from teens to adults, who have brought us to this moment. We are blessed, and so thankful for all the parents, children, significant others, etc. who have generously loaned us their loved ones so that we may try to offer a glimpse of the Kingdom of God to others.
Children of Eden holds a special place in my heart, as it was my first YSP experience. I was blown away by the talent of so many young people. A few years later, we lost a participant a few months after our performance of this show. I was honored to have been a small witness to her amazing life, and humbled by how fleeting life can be as well as the outpouring of love and support for her friends and family from our YSP family. In 2012, Children of Eden marked a new beginning for Youth Sing Praise as we ventured out on our own as a new foundation. The small cast was outstanding and worked very hard on this huge production. They continue to inspire me as I’ve watched them grow as people of faith.
So we come to this year. It too, is memorable for its challenges and overwhelming blessings. Thank you, YSP family, from the bottom of my heart for your love and support for this crazy endeavor we call YSP. Each of you has changed and taught all of us to choose our garden.
Now we begin.
Shout Outs from Family and Friends:
Claire, Congratulations to our "Eve" on your performance! We are excited to see the "spark of creation" alive in you tonight. God is good!
Lots of Love, Mom, Dad, & Chicken
Congratulations Claire "Puck" on your 1st YSP! We are so proud of you!
Love, Mom & Dad P.S. Moogles missed you a lot!
Break a leg, Bridget! May God bless you and all of your YSP friends.
With love from Mom, Dad, David, Shannon, Grandma, and Grandpa.
Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Aunt Peggy for becoming YSP Volunteers!
Love, Erin, Orin, and the Helpers Team
Thank you, St. Mary's Parish, for giving us a welcoming space to rehearse and pray.
To John Bouc, Charlie Mueller, Maggie Perrino, and Amanda Schnabel for being tireless, behind-the-scenes champions of YSP. We couldn't have done this without your help!
Leo and Pat Luetkenhaus thanks for being the caretakers of all the YSP set pieces, costumes, and random mannequin parts!
Mr. & Mrs. Simmons, thanks for serving as post office, daycare, bakery, and lifeguards.
Thanks to Sharon, Elaine, Sandy, and Julia for cooking our meals this week!
