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Weekly E-news
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Dear youth and parents, This Sunday is a great opportunity for our youth to connect with UCC's children. During our typical youth group time, children 5th grade and younger will gather for a "trunk-or-treat" event, and all youth are invited to help make it an exceptional event for all generations. Recent research by the Fuller Youth Institute proves what those of us in youth ministry have seen for years: Youth who volunteer with younger children in the church are the most likely to continue to be active in church after they graduate. Consider this a perfect opportunity to begin (or continue) building a foundation for a lifetime of service and discipleship. I'm in South Carolina this weekend for homecoming at my alma mater, Furman University. I'll be seeing old friends since it's our 10-year reunion, and our daughter is meeting many nearby family members for the first time. (And since I can't seem to simply have fun on vacation, I'm also meeting with Furman students interested in theological education on behalf of Brite Divinity School and promoting the Chaplain Corps to cadets in my former Army ROTC battalion.) We'll be returning on Monday evening, and I'll be back at UCC on Tuesday. I'll look forward to seeing many of you a the rock climbing outing after I return! Grace and Peace, Russ |
Volunteer at UCC's Trunk-or-Treat for children this Sunday
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  ~~ UCC will be hosting a Trunk-or-Treat event for children 5th grade and younger this Sunday, October 24 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the church's front and side parking lots. In addition to trick-or-treating from decorated vehicle trunks, there will be food and a number of outdoor games and activities for kids. Youth volunteers are needed, and there are several ways to help: - If you're old enough to drive, bring your vehicle (or a family vehicle you borrow) to pass our candy from your trunk or tailgate. You're encouraged to decorate your trunk for Halloween or using a theme that suits you.
- Youth will be meeting at 1:15 p.m. to begin putting together a kid-friendly haunted house in one of the first floor hallways. No supplies are needed, just people to set it up and inhabit the finished version during the event.
- There are plenty of other places to plug in on an as-needed basis. Help with face painting, monitor the bounce house, assist with games, etc. Just come at 6 p.m. in a kid-friendly costume and find a job that suits you!
NOTE: There will be NO YOUTH GROUP MEETINGS or snack supper this Sunday night so that all youth can help with the trunk-or-treat event.
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RSVP for a rock climbing adventure on October 30
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Want to spend a day enjoying God's beautiful creation while the Fall weather is still nice? Come to Lake Mineral Wells State Park for a youth rock climbing adventure on Saturday, October 30! All youth in grades 6-12 are invited, and veteran rock climbers Pam and Keith Miller will serve as our guides for a safe, fun day. All you have to do is show up ready to learn! (Not interested in climbing? There are plenty of great hiking trails to explore around the lake.)
We'll be meeting at UCC at 8 a.m. to carpool to Mineral Wells, and should return around 2 p.m. Wear comfortable clothes and athletic shoes, and bring at least $12 to cover the climbing fee and lunch in Weatherford on the way home. RSVP's are required to ensure that we have enough drivers. Just e-mail Sharyn at sharyn@uccftw.com to reserve your spot, or to volunteer as a driver/adult chaperone for the day. Also, click here to download the parental consent form that will be required that day for each youth to climb.
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Register for CYF Fall Retreat at Disciples Crossing - Nov. 19-21
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 Our youth in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to join high schoolers from Disciple churches around the area for the CYF Fall Retreat coming up November 19-21 at Disciples Crossing, our church camp in Athens. This annual retreat offers the opportunity to grow closer
to God and one another through worship, recreation, prayer, small groups, and
interest groups that include options like sports, dance, art, service,
photography, and more.
Our youth will meet at UCC at 5:30 p.m. that Friday to share a charter bus to camp, and will return around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. The cost for the retreat is $80 and full or half scholarships are available upon request. Registration forms are due to the Youth Office by Sunday, October 31, and you can download one by clicking here.
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Youth events on the horizon...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
October 24 - Youth volunteer at UCC Trunk or Treat event - 6:30 p.m.
October 30 - Youth rock climbing at Lake Mineral Wells State Park - meet at 8 a.m.
November 5-7 - Chi Rho Fall Retreat for grades 6-8 at Disciples Crossing
November 14 - Youth Sunday at The Search - 5 p.m. (meet at 3 p.m. to prepare)
November 19-21 - CYF Fall Retreat for grades 9-12 at Disciples Crossing
November 28 - Hanging of the Greens service led by youth - 6:45 p.m.
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Staff Links~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Russ Boyd, Associate Minister for Youth - E-mail Russ
Herbert Murray, Assistant Minister for Chi Rho (grades 6-8) - E-mail Herb
Jessica Vacketta, Assistant Minister for CYF (grades 9-12) - E-mail Jessica
Sharyn Peterson, Ministry Assistant for Congregational Life - E-mail Sharyn
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