By MARILYN HAESE CEREGHINO Special to the Palisadian-Post How many Pacific Palisades kids does it take to change the future of whole neighborhoods in Tijuana, Mexico? The answer will be forthcoming on Saturday, November 28. That is when current Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church youth group members and returning alumni celebrate 15 years of mission work under the dedicated leadership of its youth minister, Reverend Eric Schaefer. Taking a page from the self deprecating style of humor that Rev. Schaefer uses so effectively working with teens, the night of tribulation will take the form of a celebratory roast. The evening of dining, special video presentations and live music will culminate with a roast panel of teens and young adults giving tribute both live and via videotape. The initial panel of roasters includes Amber Held, Brett Vegas, Max Czernin, Kelsey Van Hook, Lucas Pols, Tim St. Claire, Brandon Brough, Patrick Hasselbach, Alex Hubbs, Brynn Lovitt and Lauren Baczewski. At last count, more than 900 Palisades students ages 14 and up have traveled to Mexico, New Orleans, Arizona, the Dominican Republic, and to orphanages throughout Europe as part of the church’s youth program in an effort to help those in need. Many of these participants are not members of the church as it’s not a condition of the program. Steven Carr Reuben, senior rabbi of Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation, puts it succinctly. ‘Eric is such a remarkable youth minister’ with an ability to reach out and inspire youth regardless of their religious background. In fact, it was Eric who inspired KI to create our own annual ‘Youth & Family Mitzvah Trip to Mexico’ to help build houses for those in need.’ (Continued on Page 6) The annual Memorial Day weekend trek to Mexico to pour foundations, frame, and stucco four or five single-family dwellings during each visit to a residential area of Tijuana is the most popular youth mission. Usually this means 2-1/2 working days in the hot sun, with 100 or more teenagers hammering nails, sawing lumber, toting water buckets and mixing concrete by hand, while working alongside the families who will come to occupy the homes. It’s an example of just one of the more than 90 mission trips led by Reverend Schaefer to date. Gretchen Miller, who oversees student outreach as director of community services at Palisades Charter High School, commented: ‘At PaliHi, we see Eric’s programs as gold because we know that in the process kids are talked to about why there is a need for what they are doing, and there’s clear discussion about what the impact will be after they help. Most important, when they travel to under-served countries, we know they will get a chance to directly interface with the recipients of the good will.’ Jean Vegas, parent and veteran chaperone on several European trips, added: ‘What I love about Eric is that he builds relationships with every person who walks through the door. He doesn’t judge them, but makes every child or adult feel accepted and valued.’ Many feel the open-door success is a result of the youth program’s ‘Midweek’ weekly evening activities where a cross-section of kids join their friends and come in or have their parents drop them off. ’We have come to play an important role as a community center which Eric has always fostered,’ said Presbyterian Youth Director Natalie Kelley. When junior and senior high schoolers get on board, they meet for sports activities, fellowship and devotion, as well as ski trips and weekend retreats. Reverend Schaefer came to the Palisades in 1994. A 1985 graduate of Flordia State University, he received his Master’s of Divinity degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. He now lives in the Palisades Highlands with his wife, Kim, and their three boys, Tyler, Carter and Spencer. In summing up Reverend Schaefer’s accomplishments, Associate Pastor Reverend Bill Craig said, ‘Not only has Eric grown the youth program from 35 kids to over 500, this past year he has taken on the role of lead pastor in our congregation as well as the head of staff while we are in a time of transition. The guy is just such a joy to work with and his efforts this year are truly appreciated by everyone.’ The Thanksgiving weekend celebratory roast and fundraiser will be held in Janes Hall at the church, 15821 Sunset. Dinner begins at 5 p.m. and the roast at 7 p.m., followed by an Alumni ‘Post Roast’ outing with Eric at 10 p.m. Tickets are: Adults, $75; students $25; and children 12 and under, $15. Reservations can be made by visiting www.palipres.org or by calling the church office at (310) 454-0366. The deadline for reservations is Wednesday, November 18.
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