Dear youth and parents,
 
As we move through the season of Advent there are lots of opportunities to participate in special events here at UCC.  Two are highlighted in the e-news below: youth Christmas parties on December 19 (high schoolers will have a lock-in that follows) and a family caroling night in the neighborhoods around UCC on December 22.  Mark your calendars and make plans now to be part of these festive holiday events!

I will be traveling to Round Rock tonight to spend a day with two units that are part of my Army Reserve battalion, one of which is deploying to support operations in Afghanistan next month.  In addition to checking in with soldiers and providing opportunities for pastoral care and counseling, I will also be conducting a suicide prevention briefing and promoting relationship enhancement retreats sponsored by the Army.  These retreats are the cornerstone of an Army-wide initiative called Strong Bonds that offers three different types of weekend events for single soldiers, married couples, and families.  My job is to convince soldiers and families to let the military send them on an all-expense-paid trip to San Diego, San Francisco, or Phoenix that is proven to dramatically improve the quality of their relationships.  Doesn't sound like a hard sell, but with busy schedules and hectic lives it takes continued encouragement to get them there.  I would appreciate prayers that these soldiers would be open to the gift the Army is offering them and their families, and I'll look forward to seeing you on Sunday after I return.

Grace and Peace,
Russ

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