Theological and pragmatic investigation of a sacred "hang out" space for youth in Manchester, Massachusetts

In this thesis I have explored the need of middle school children in Manchester for “a place” to “hang out.” Toward that end, I have also explored my own life path and the reasons I know that I am called by God to work for “a place’ of these children in Manchester. I have concluded that there are overwhelming theological, ethical, and social imperatives supporting this goal. Nonetheless, I have also concluded that Manchester has a long history of shortchanging its children. This is a time when the need is great. Also, because of planning for a new middle school-high school, there is an opportunity to incorporate “the place” into the campus. To achieve the goal will require the willingness of Manchester residents to commit to the community as a whole when the current pattern is to focus%2