Taking a look around

“At Lake Ave Church every summer the youth group takes urban kids from low income families in Pasadena to a ranch in Wyoming, where they learn to horseback ride, shoot arrows, rope cows, etc… as well as engage in service opportunities. This is a “carnival” in that it provides alternative space in which these urban youth can experience a rare freedom as well as feel that they are empowered to serve others.”

While much of my understanding of “carnival” relating to Christianity was primarily about satire and comedy that exaggerates reality to a point of absurdity, I found Annie’s example very enlightening.
Annie presented a story from Lake Ave. where urban kids were taken to explore the outdoors. The reason why many youth do not succeed in school or life is due to lack of exposure to better options. For these teenagers who may be looking at a hopeless future, the church can provide an “alternative space”. Many youth are not aware that another world exists; they do not realize how many other options exist. The church needs to provide these elements of carnival, breaking boundaries and limits that were previously in these kids’ lives.