All area youth grades nine through college have a unique treat in store: AFTERSHOCK, a day of free food, fun, live music, games, and water slide activities on July 19 at the Hinton Center Lake Chatuge, 2330 Hinton Center Road Hayesville. The upcoming event is described as "a big God party" by Deacon Turner Guidry of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church Hayesville, which is sponsoring the event.

Deacon Guidry and the young people he works with have noticed a need for renewal among youth in our surrounding communities. As they struggle to resist drugs and other temptations that the culture offers, Good Shepherd wants to offer support. AFTERSHOCK is an opportunity for sharing stories in a non-judgmental atmosphere that is also filled with fun and fellowship.

AFTERSHOCK, an event planned by kids for kids, will include worship music, a chance for high school and college students to share what's going on in their lives, a speaker, and clergy available for anyone who wants to talk to them. But this event paid for by Good Shepherd is not, Deacon Guidry emphasizes, a revival, nor is it an attempt to distract young people from activities that their own churches offer. Actually, he says, "This renewal experience will strengthen them to go back to their own churches." He expects anywhere from one hundred to two hundred high school and college students to participate.

The hope of the planners of AFTERSHOCK is to follow up in a month with the youth who attend, then to establish regular get-togethers.

If there should be rain on July 19, the event will be rescheduled for July 26.

For more information about AFTERSHOCK, young people or their parents may contact Turner Guidry at 828 361-0497.