Burns Night is an annual fundraiser led by the youth of First Christian Church in Columbia to support their annual mission trips. A traditional Scottish celebration, Burns Night is a commemoration of the Romantic poet Robert Burns. It is also an opportunity to don your fanciest kilt, try some haggis, and dance the night away! The youth do a bit of everything to facilitate the event, including cooking, serving, setting up, childcare, dishwashing, and cleanup. This was the second year the congregation held the event, so it will evolve as the tradition continues.

Later this year, the group will be participating in an 'intergenerational' mission trip that includes upper Chi Rho, CYF, and college-agreed students. They are headed to Evansville, IN, from July 21-27. While there, they will work with Community One, a local nonprofit, on providing direct support for folks with housing struggles (aging in place, short-term disability, etc). They will also serve and learn in United Caring Shelters, a no-barrier homeless shelter. The group will also have an opportunity to learn from a local disability rights lawyer. In all this, the participants will be learning various contexts for housing justice.

Thank you to FCC’s Associate Minister Rev. Dr. Topher Endress for this information and photos.