For the past three or four years, Christ UMC‘s youth group, The Gathering, has participated in World Vision‘s 30 Hour Famine (read about the 2007 30 Hour Famine).

Earlier today, I had to make a difficult, disappointing decision: I had to cancel this weekend’s 30 Hour Famine. The weather forecast called for four to seven inches of snow, eventually turning into sleet and freezing rain, so I called my pastor and spoke with him about the situation.

He said the only other events at the church tonight were Celebrate Recovery and AA, but that they make up their own minds as to whether or not they cancel an event. We discussed how some of the youth would have to travel a fair distance to get here (two of our students live about 30 minutes away), how we didn’t think driving the youth around town for the morning’s pantry raid was a good idea, and the fact that there were only going to be two leaders there as one of them had to work over the weekend.

After a few minutes of talking, we both agreed that canceling (or perhaps postponing–we haven’t decided yet) the event was, unfortunately, our best option. I thanked him for his time and guidance and then called the other leader. I explained the discussion and she agreed that it was probably for the best. I asked that she call one of the youth (her boyfriend/fiancé’s son) as well as those who were scheduled to prepare Saturday evening’s meal.

Finally, I called all of the youth (which was easy, as all schools in the area were closed today) and told them the plans. While some sounded indifferent about the cancellation (after all, that meant they’d be able to eat food today and tomorrow), there were a couple students who were really disappointed and asked if we were going to reschedule. I explained that such a decision hadn’t been made but they would be the first to know once it had.

I hope we can find a weekend sometime this spring when we can hold this event, but I’m not counting on it. Most people (including myself) already have their weekends planned for quite some time, so I’m guessing it will prove quite difficult. On a positive note, the money the youth raised will still go to help feed those who are less fortunate, so even if we can’t hold the event, the youth will have made a difference in the lives of others, which is what the event is really all about.