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Small UCC youth logo
  Weekly E-news
         September 9, 2009

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in this issue
Children's Closet "Bag-It Night" this evening
All-church picnic this Sunday afternoon
CYF Ski Retreat info meeting - Sep. 20
Calendar and directory available in youth parent packet
TCU parking lot fundraisers start soon
 
Dear youth and parents,

As you read this I'm on my way to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, Louisiana.  I will be there for the next three weeks as Chaplain for my Army Reserve unit, the 341st Medical Battalion.  We will be participating in a large-scale Afghanistan simulation with a brigade from the 101st Airborne Division who are preparing to deploy soon.  (Our unit is NOT scheduled to deploy, but we are needed to serve as command and control for the medical elements that will be participating in the exercise.)  During those three weeks, I will be leading worship services, counseling soldiers, providing religious support in a clinical setting at the Combat Support Hospital, and advising the command on moral, ethical, and religious issues that arise.  I am blessed to work with an excellent Chaplain Assistant who will serve as my partner in these endeavors.

I am not entirely sure how much access I will have to e-mail and phone, but once I'm there I will pass that along if you'd like to stay in touch.  In the meantime, please feel free to contact Anna, Isaac, or Sharyn about anything that comes up regarding UCC's youth ministry.  I'll look forward to seeing you after I return on September 29.

Grace and Peace,
Russ

Children's Closet "Bag-It Night" this evening
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Tonight, volunteers of all ages will gather in Fellowship Hall to prepare 1,800 school uniforms for distribution at our annual Children's Closet "Bag-It Night" from 6-8 p.m.  Youth are needed at 4:30 p.m. to move boxes from around the building to Fellowship Hall, and a pizza dinner will be provided for all youth who are part of the early volunteer crew at 5:30.  Youth who are volunteering should meet coordinator Rebecca Putman in Fellowship Hall at 4:30.


All-church picnic this Sunday afternoon
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Picnic graphic Our church will gather outside this Sunday afternoon, September 13 to kick off fall programming with a church-wide picnic by the Community Garden immediately after the 11 a.m. worship service.  Youth helpers are needed to assist with face painting, photography, a cake walk, making balloon animals, and general setup and teardown of tables and chairs.  Volunteers should meet coordinator Jenny Cox in the Community Garden next to the church at 11:45 a.m. on Sunday.  Teardown will start at 1:30 p.m. and will be coordinated by Pam Reeser.

Chi Rho, CYF youth groups kick-off this Sunday night
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Drew Powell photo On Sunday evening, UCC's Chi Rho and CYF youth groups kick off a new year of programming.  The evening starts with a special edition of The Search worship gathering at 5 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, featuring TV/film actor Drew Powell as guest music leader.  At 6 p.m., all youth in grades 6-12 are invited to the 3rd floor kitchen for a $3 snack supper.  At 6:30, our 6th-8th graders will meet in Room 308 for Chi Rho youth group and 9th-12th graders will meet in Room 303 for CYF youth group.  Both groups will be exploring different aspects of the Christian faith each week through fellowship, prayer, teambuilding activities, and service projects led by our youth ministers and youth group sponsors.  Both groups will wrap up at 7:30 p.m. each week.
 

CYF Ski Retreat info meeting - September 20 at 6:30 p.m.
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Skier graphic All parents of high school youth are invited to an informational meeting about this year's CYF Ski Retreat on September 20 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 211 (current Genesis, former Family Covenant classroom).  We will discuss details about the trip to Crested Butte, Colorado that's scheduled for December 27-31, including pricing, lodging, fundraising, participation requirements, and more.  Mark your calendar, and be sure to download a detailed info flyer here that will give you a head start on planning before the meeting.
 

Youth parent packets available (with calendar and directory)
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Anna's staff photo Missed the recent meeting for all parents of youth?  Stop by the Youth Office and pick up a parent packet that includes a 12-month calendar of youth events and a directory of youth, volunteers, and staff.  And while you're there, be sure to sign up for one of the many volunteer opportunities for parents this year.  You can pick up a packet from Sharyn any weekday from 9-4, or ask one of the youth ministers on Sunday morning.  If you'd like a copy of the calendar now, you can download it as a PDF file by clicking here or visiting www.uccyouth.org.

TCU football kicks off, youth raise money parking cars
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TCU LogoA new season of college football is upon us, and UCC's youth and parents have an opportunity to raise money by parking cars for TCU games.  Each hour worked by youth and/or parents earns credit toward registration costs for camps, mission trips, and the ski retreat, as well as funds for UCC's youth ministry to use for scholarships and 3rd floor improvements.  Be sure to put the games below on your calendar, and stay tuned for details on TCU's first game on September 19 against Texas State.  (Note: Time listed is for kickoff, not the time to be present to park cars.)

TCU Home Football Schedule for 2009

Saturday, September 19 - Texas State - 6 p.m.
Saturday, October 3 - SMU - 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 17 - Colorado State - 3 p.m.
Saturday, October 31 - UNLV - 3 p.m.
Saturday, November 14 - Utah - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 28 - New Mexico - 12 p.m.

Thursday, December 31 - Armed Forces Bowl - 11 a.m.
(annual bowl game at Amon Carter Stadium)

Youth events on the horizon...
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September 9 - School Uniform "Bag-It" Night - 6 p.m. (youth needed at 4:30)
September 13 - Churchwide Picnic (youth volunteers needed) 12:15 p.m.
September 13 - Sunday Night Alive programming (including youth groups) begins
September 19 - TCU vs. Texas State parking lot fundraiser - 4 p.m.
September 20 - CYF Ski Retreat info meeting - 6:30 p.m. in Room 211
October 3 - CYF Day @ TCU - 4 p.m. (regional event for Disciple youth)
December 27-31 - Youth Ski Retreat to Colorado

Staff Links
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Russ Boyd, Associate Minister for Youth - E-mail Russ
Isaac Varner, Assistant Minister for CYF (grades 9-12) - E-mail Isaac
Anna Ross, Assistant Minister for Chi Rho (grades 6-8) - E-mail Anna
Sharyn Peterson, Ministry Assistant for Congregation Life - E-mail Sharyn
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