First Priority

^{Are you looking for a way to get REFUELED every week?}

^{Come to First Priority.}

This group is made up of students in grades 7-12 that believe our relationship with God should be the “1^st Priority” in our lives. All students are welcome, there are no dues to pay. Weekly meetings may include singing, prayer, testimonies and devotions from students, teachers or local youth leaders. First Priority is active in service to the school, community, and the world.

First Priority Student Leaders

Kayla Sellers, Danielle Carter, Hanna Weldon, Ashley Martin, Katy Beth Gillian, Jessica Flournoy

First Priority Projects for 2009-2010

See You At The Pole http://www.syatp.com/home/
Christmas Bags for the Ukraine CHRISTMASMAS%20HOPE%202009EA.doc
Adullam House Service Day http://www.adullamhouse.org/
First Priority Leaders Summit - check out photos from the gallery at First Priority of Alabama http://www.gofirstpriority.com/

At SYATP Mr. Clark gives a testimony of how God answered prayer in his life. Students share Bible verses, pray and sing at SYATP. Over 75 students, faculty, parents and youth leaders joined at the flagpole to pray for our school, our families, our community and our nation.

CHRISTMAS OF HOPE for Ukraine Orphans

“One of the worst things about life here is the boredom,” said Yulia. Even more painful is the loneliness that invades the orphanage each Christmas. While much of the world is celebrating the Holy Birth, these children must wonder why they were born.

They have no mother or father to share their excitement in opening their gifts - in fact, no gifts to open unless you and I share a small part of our lives with them. Your small gift, shared by Dema and Julie, Eugene and Ana (Ukrainian Christians who love and teach the children each week) assure them of God’s love, and that his people do care. Your gift can provide them a Christmas of Hope.

For the orphans, life is short – and filled with despair. This despair, according to Ukraine government studies, leads to 70% of the orphans in crime or prostitution by age 19. Many (15%) commit suicide rather than face a futile future. Your small gift, coupled with the message of Christ shared by the Ukrainian Christians can help make a difference in the destiny of these children of God. Christ said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these…you did for me” (Matt. 25).

This year the Ukrainian Christians want share this Christmas of Hope with 500 of God’s children. We hope you will be part of this expression of Christ’s love.

Items needed are broken down by grade. If you would like to send additional items not on the list for your grade feel free to do so. Please include $7 with each item to cover shipping.

Kindergarten Toothbrush, Toothpaste (4.6 oz.)

1^st Grade Medium sized combs (no hair brushes)

2^nd Grade White boys socks (medium size)

3^rd Grade Beanie Babies or stuffed toys

4^th Grade Life Savers, Mentoes, or Gummies

5^th Grade Writing pads, color books

6^th Grade Mild bar soaps, wash cloths

7^th Grade Small cars, bouncey balls

8^th Grade Stuffed toys, small dolls

9^th Grade Hair clips, toy jewelry, watches

10^th Grade Hard candies

11^th Grade 24 pack Crayons

12^th Grade 10 pack black ball point pens

Everyone - $7 to help on shipping to Boston, ocean freight, delivery in Ukraine, and distribution to the orphanages (ESSENTIAL). Checks can be made out to Edgewood Academy.

If you have questions regarding the Christmas gifts, please contact Mrs. Powell, First Priority Coordinator, at 567-5102 ext. 204 or tpowell@edgewoodacademy.org.

“Christ said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these…you did for me” (Matt. 25).

Collections will begin Monday, October 19. Please return your items and $7 to school by

Friday, October 30.

Thank you for sharing your Christmas Hope with others!

We received this letter from Mr. Tom Phillips regarding our Christmas bags for the children of the Ukraine from 2008:

First Priority

Edgewood Academy

PO Box 160

Elmore, AL 36025

Dear Mrs. Powell, staff, and students,

Christmas is observed on January 7 in Ukraine. A typical January day is overcast and gloomy. Because the government can afford only basic utilities, the orphanages are dimly lit and frigid. Children move slowly with frosted breaths and hands blue from the cold. The teachers and counselors are overworked and underpaid; dispirited by the dull plight of their own lives and the fading hope in the eyes of the children.

According to Kristina, a beautiful Uglegorsk teen, “The worst part of life in the orphanage is the boredom.” There are few recreation opportunities and the educational program is anemic and unstructured. The children are unloved and unchallenged. They are intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually adrift in a forgotten world of loneliness.

But the Edgewood staff and students are helping change this climate of despair! You are planting the seed of hope by assuring them they are loved.

Thank you for your generous help in touching the lives of these abandoned children. The Christmas of Hope gifts you contributed, enabled us to reach more than 1,000 children in Uglegorsk and three other orphanages in Donetsk. Ukrainian Christian will deliver the gifts.

James (1:27) tells us there is a special place in the Lord’s heart for those who touch the lives of the orphans. Your gift was a gift of joy and a message of God’s love. May His special blessings be upon all of you during the coming year.

For the children,

Tom Phillips