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Weekly E-news
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Dear youth and parents,
Thanks to those of you who held in prayer the soldiers I was briefing in Round Rock last weekend. My suicide prevention brief was very well-received, and I had a great response from soldiers who are interested in participating in the Strong Bonds retreats that the Army offers to help soldiers develop better relationship skills, healthier marriages, and stronger families. I'm hopeful that we'll see a spike in participation from those present.
There are many additions to the e-news this week, including two great volunteer opportunities for those who would like to help out over Christmas break. Read on for info on those, as well as youth Christmas parties, a CYF lock-in, and more!
Grace and Peace,
Russ
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Youth Christmas parties and CYF lock-in this Sunday
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 Our annual Chi Rho and CYF Christmas parties are coming up this Sunday, December 19 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Both groups are invited to wear their most Christmas-y attire and each individual should bring the best gift they can find for $1 (wrapped or bagged) for a gift exchange. A flyer with additional details on the parties is on the way in the mail, and you can click here for an electronic copy. The basics on the two parties are as follows:
The Chi Rho party will take place at the home of Dan and Sharon Cooper at 3856 Arroyo Rd. Food assignments for the group - 6th grade: sweet; 7th grade: salty; 8th grade: beverage.
The CYF party will be hosted by the Lanter family at 2624 Boyd Ave. Food assignments are - 9th grade: beverage; 10th grade: sweet; 11th-12th grade: salty.
Additionally, CYF (grades 9-12) will be having a lock-in at the church following their party featuring quidditch, worship, food, and fun. Interested in helping with the lock-in (hands-on, behind-the-scenes, or in advance)? Contact Jessica Vacketta at jessica@uccftw.com.
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UCC family caroling night - Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
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 | Note: Bring your own mutant insect/child.
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All ages are invited to take the joy and spirit of Christmas into our community through song on a special family caroling night on Wednesday, December 22. Participants will gather in Fellowship Hall at 6:30 p.m. and then depart in groups to carol in the neighborhoods around UCC. At the end of the evening, carolers will come back together for fellowship around hot cocoa and Christmas treats. No musical expertise is required and song lyrics will be provided. Invite a friend and come take part in this opportunity to share a Christmas gift with our neighbors!
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Youth needed for Boar's Head stage build - December 29-30
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 The annual Boar's Head and Yule Log festival is just around the corner, meaning it's almost time to build the stage at the front of UCC's sanctuary. The stage build will take place December 29-30 (Wednesday - Thursday) from 5:30-9 p.m. each night. Youth are encouraged to help with the build (no skills necessary, just a good work ethic), and doing so is a great way to earn volunteer hours for service organizations. If you'd like to participate, just come to the church either night or contact John Andrus at John.Andrus@wnco.com with questions.
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Sign up for Soul Brothers, an intergenerational retreat for guys
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The 2011 retreat will again take place January 14-16 at Riverbend Retreat Center in Glen Rose, and the cost is $100 for adults and $75 for youth. The group will depart UCC at 5:30 p.m. on Friday (with a stop for dinner at Babe's Chicken Dinner House) and return around noon on Sunday. Click here to download a registration form, and be sure to include a $40 non-refundable deposit when you turn in your registration to Sharyn Peterson in Room 314 or to Daniel Terry in The Arches bookstore on Sunday morning.
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Prom Dreams volunteer days are coming soon!
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 Proms are just around the corner, and UCC's Prom Dreams outreach ministry wants to be ready to help girls in our community have a memorable night. To make that happen, we will be having work days during Christmas break and in January to prepare the space above the Children's Closet to display donated prom dresses. If you are interested in volunteering your time or donating paint, paintbrushes or other supplies to create a great setting for this ministry, please contact Jessica Vacketta at jessica@uccftw.com |
Youth ministers on vacation over Christmas break
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 UCC's youth ministers will all be taking vacation over Christmas break to spend time with family. Our time away is as follows:
Russ: December 25-31
Herb: December 24 - January 3
Jessica: December 22 - January 2
Sharyn will be here on the days the church is open between Christmas and New Year's (December 29-31) if you need to reach someone in the Youth Office.
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Youth events on the horizon...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 19 - Youth Christmas parties in host homes - 6:30 p.m.
December 19-20 - CYF Lock-In for grades 9-12 - 9 p.m. - 7 a.m.
December 22 - UCC family caroling night - 6:30 p.m.
December 29-30 - Stage build for Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival - 5:30 - 9 p.m.
January 14-16 - Soul Brothers Retreat (for guys 6th grade - adult)
February 4-6 - Chi Rho Midwinter Retreat at Disciples Crossing (grades 6-8)
February 6 - Super Bowling event at Cityview Lanes - 2:15 p.m.
February 25-27 - CYF Midwinter Retreat at Disciples Crossing (grades 9-12)
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More ways to keep up...
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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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