"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body." 1 Corinthians 12:12

"One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?""'The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this 'Love your neighbor as yourself' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:28-31

anything less is not enough.

How do we love God?

By recognizing we are not enough alone,

and we are not alone,

to love our neighbor and ourselves.

This month's focus is on the human body as the temple of God. Being the housing for God's work in the world is a big responsibility (from the word -- to respond, like we do to Christ's gift of life and after-life). We must take care of ourselves, and watch out for the ways we can help others, too. Remember, we don't do it for others and we don't do it for and by ourselves either. God created us in community. From the beginning of time we were meant to be with and for each other and in comm-union — comm-unity —with God.

Begin the monthly meeting by standing in a circle. See the shape. Let some people move in, look at the shape. Make a cross, look at the shape. Make a triangle, and see who you cannot see when you are in this shape. Have people share what they can see with those whose view is obstructed.

Sometimes we cannot see all the information we need to help ourselves and others soooo we can never be the only one to help out in a difficult situation. That doesn't mean we don't try to help, but we don't try to do it alone — not even adults. So, part of what we want to look at this month

is ways we can help ourselves and the others that we meet. Part of that is knowing when someone needs help, part is knowing how to help (or get help) for the person.

Many situations came up in the last month dealing with mental health issues (if your group has more physical issues, you may want to address how the mental and physical issues overlap.). Please let the youth name the issues that might have been seen as threats to mental and physical health — suicides, murders (by mentally ill people, such as in Ft. Worth), depressions (which frequently cause everything from disputes between friends to death), eating disorders, passive-aggressive behaviors, depressions associated with illnesses, bipolar behaviors, ADHD/ADD (and their medications which can induce the need for anti-depressants). Most of you will suffer with some crisis — personal, family, or friend — that causes you to need outside help, know that the person giving it may be God's messenger and listen for the message. If you don't hear it, go to someone else. Don't give up!

— my advice from my pastoral care classes, if you can't use a speaker, is to stress these items . . .

If you follow these hints you will be less likely to have "low times," and more likely to help your friends avoid them. Besides, you will be a better temple for God.

Finally, have a healthy snack and stretch out — too many times we forget this is one of the best tools dancer have to avoid injury which leads to bad eating habits and depression. Dancers hate to be sidelined by an injury and you can't burn those calories sitting on the side.

Looking for a speaker? Some churches have Christian counselors that "borrow" space to do counseling, they may be able to work with you. Call local hospitals for certified counselors and psychologists with fun specialties like music therapy or signing for deaf families, or that

specialize in problems many dancers face — depression and eating disorders (tied together). Or, try MHMR to see what people are on their team — some teams are especially for teens and teens with behavior problems that will take them to jail. Ask for the team that works with first time offenders, they are usually the ones that want to talk about preventative and reparative measures.

Ask about church affiliations and get a person that want to bring God into the conversation. Since God is always in the room anyway, let's talk together. Counselors that work with teens and families would be best.

Web Sites? There are hundreds, but I like . . .

Up-to-date and helpful on almost any topic needed for any age. The youth may be having a medical problem in the family. This would help them get help for a friend or loved one. It would refer them to other sources for more solid, reliable information.