Some of you started back to school this week, and many of you will do so next week.  Even so, I know a lot of our youth have been busy for weeks with band, fall sports, and other things that get going before school even begins.  In the midst of that business, a group of 33 youth and adults were able to get away to Briarwood Retreat Center in Copper Canyon for UCC's Back-to-School Retreat.  During the weekend we focused on five practices that we need to commit to if we want to be the church instead of just going to church.  The practices have become well-known thanks to Robert Schnase's book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations (and a variety of spin-off books and studies, including the youth edition).  The five practices are: radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission and service, and extravagant generosity.

This past weekend was just the starting point, and in various ways throughout the year we'll be inviting all of our youth to think about what each of these practices looks like for them and for our church.  To help spread the idea, we have new UCC youth shirts for this year that many of you may have seen in church on Sunday.  They're navy blue with the words "Don't go to church." on the front, and "Be the church." on the back (plus a UCC youth logo on the sleeve).  These classy, eye-catching shirts are available in a variety of sizes for only $10.  If you'd like to help spread the word through your attire, flag down one of our youth ministers on Sunday morning or evening and we'll be happy to hook you up with a shirt.  But don't just wear it.  Do your best to live it.

Grace and Peace,
Russ

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