Toward the end of this past January, when the days were short and made us shiver, Brownson Memorial and West End Presbyterian Churches sent a busload of warmth to Charlotte.

It was a special kind of “warmth.” It laughed and sang and chattered excitedly. It was full of life and eager to help. It was the Middle School Youth Mission groups from the two churches.

They traveled to Charlotte to experience a program called C.R.O.S.S. (Charlotte Outreach Spirituality and Study), which is organized and driven by Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. Myers Park arranged the work projects and the accommodations for the young people.

Their first work site was Nexus Ministries, an urban ministry created by several churches that seeks to offer “a church for the city.” The youth helped out with a children’s program. The program brings children in from poorer areas of the city and guides them through a schedule including games, crafts, lunch and a kid-oriented worship service with singing.

The second work site focused on the other end of life’s spectrum. The youth spent time at “The Haven,” a facility for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. They visited with the residents and made crafts with them and also learned some information about these debilitating diseases.

It was at this second site that the “warmth” was unexpectedly reflected. A resident was enjoying the company of one of the youth group, a young girl whose mother had been seriously ill and hospitalized. Unprompted, with no knowledge of the situation, the resident reached out with words of comfort, telling the anxious young girl not to worry.

“The mystery of that moment will no doubt stay with the young people who traveled to Charlotte to spread their warmth for a long time to come,” says a group member.