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Weekly E-news
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Dear youth and parents, There's a lot going on this weekend for youth with UCC's Reel Religion Film Festival starting tonight and continuing tomorrow, a Habitat for Humanity workday opportunity on Saturday morning, and our Regional Minister, Dani Loving Cartwright, joining us on Sunday evening to conduct a special session for youth as part of the Conversations for Christ's Community series. Read below for details on how to be involved in these great opportunities. Also, Jessica Vacketta had her first week in the office as UCC's new Assistant Minister for CYF and appears to be adjusting well. Her work area is (mostly) arranged, her e-mail and phone line are functional, and she only needs a couple of tweaks on her computer to get her fully up to speed on our youth database. If you haven't done so already, be sure to e-mail her a word of welcome as she gets her feet wet! Grace and Peace, Russ |
Catch a flick at UCC's film festival tonight and tomorrow
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 The 7th annual Reel Religion Film Festival will take place tonight and tomorrow and all are welcome. The movies will be shown in various rooms throughout UCC and admission is absolutely free! Each viewing will be followed by a discussion, and several of the film discussions will be led by youth (including David Connelly, Maggie Jorgenson, and Roy Parker). To get a full schedule of films and facilitators, click here and download the brochure. Invite a friend for this great event, and we'll see you at the movies!
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Habitat for Humanity work day for youth - tomorrow!
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 This Saturday, January 30 the youth of UCC are invited to participate in an interfaith Habitat for Humanity build that will provide an affordable home to a family in need. Typically youth are not allowed to participate in building projects with Habitat, but this particular day is focused on landscaping and youth are welcome. We have five slots available for youth from UCC, so call Stacy McCoy ASAP at 817.999.5184 if you would like to claim one of them! The workday will last from 8-11 a.m. at 8001 Charlestown Lane in southeast Fort Worth.
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Conversations for Christ's Community for youth - this Sunday
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 Nearly 350 people have participated in Conversations for Christ's Community here at UCC over the last few weeks, and now it's time for our youth to take a turn! Rev. Dani Loving Cartwright, our Regional Minister, will be with us to lead the conversation on Sunday night during the youth group hour (6:30 - 7:30). Together, youth will reflect on and answer four questions: 1. What brought you to UCC? 2. What are your hopes and dreams for UCC in the next 5 years? 3. What obstacles will keep the church from reaching these goals? 4. What strengths does the church have that will help it fulfill its dreams? The results of the conversation will be included with the responses from the groups that have met so far and presented back to the church on Tuesday, February 2 at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.
Parents: We're hoping for lots of youth input in this process since it's shaping the future of our church. Your help in encouraging your sons and daughters to be here for the conversation on Sunday night is appreciated!
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Registration begins for CYF Midwinter Retreat - Feb. 26-28
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Send a note to our newest youth minister, Jessica Vacketta
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 On Sunday, many of our youth and adults welcomed Jessica Vacketta to UCC's staff as Assistant Minister for CYF (grades 9-12). If you missed the announcement and her full bio, just click here to read all about it and catch up.
Jessica's office days in a typical week will be Tuesday and Friday, and she'll be sharing the Assistant Ministers' office (301) with Anna Ross and Emily Miller (UCC's new Assistant Minister for Campus Ministries and The Search). Her extension at the church is 145 and her cell phone is 217.260.1697. If you'd like to send her a note to welcome her to UCC, her e-mail address is jessica@uccftw.com.
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A great way for UCC's youth (and adults!) to help Haiti
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From Anna Ro ss, Assistant Minister for Chi Rho:
Recently our Chi Rho and CYF youth groups experienced prayer stations focused on
Haiti during their Sunday evening meetings. One station invited participants to imagine going without food or water for
6 days while needing medical attention, then provided a handout describing hygiene and
baby care kits that Church World Service is sending to help in Haiti.
Youth (and adults) now have the opportunity to bring a
completed kit to the 3rd floor the next two weeks for a shipment to Haiti. For instructions on creating a kit, just click here and then bring your kit to Sunday school or youth groups on January 31 or February 7. This is one simple way that we can share our resources
and care for God's children, and we hope you'll be able to participate!
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Youth events on the horizon...
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January 29-30 - Reel Religion Film Festival at UCC
January 31 - Conversations for Christ's Community for youth - 6:30 p.m.
February 5-7 - Chi Rho MidWinter Retreat at Disciples Crossing (grades 6-8)
February 26-28 - CYF MidWinter Retreat at Disciples Crossing (grades 9-12)
February 28 - FDC "Meet Your Mentor" Luncheon - 12:15 p.m.
March 14-20 - Intergenerational Mission Pilgrimage to New Orleans
April 11 - Camp Sunday - Register for summer camps and mission trips
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Staff Links
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Russ Boyd, Associate Minister for Youth - E-mail Russ
Anna Ross, Assistant Minister for Chi Rho (grades 6-8) - E-mail Anna
Jessica Vacketta, Assistant Minister for CYF (grades 9-12) - E-mail Jessica
Sharyn Peterson, Ministry Assistant for Congregation Life - E-mail Sharyn
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