Dear youth and parents,
 
The church is abuzz this week as everything comes together for the annual Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival.  Many of you are already signed up to participate, but if you're not I highly encourage you to come experience this incredible event.  Performances are at 3 and 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday, and it's a good idea to get here 30 - 45 minutes early for a good seat.  For details on the Boar's Head Festival, click here.

I will be flying to San Antonio tonight to serve as one of the presenters at a Yellow Ribbon event for the 994th Veterinary Company, one of the units based in Round Rock that falls under my Army Reserve battalion.  Yellow Ribbon events are set up before, during, and after a unit deploys so that soldiers and there families are prepared for what lies ahead, nurtured during the deployment, and reintegrated into family life in a healthy way after the deployment ends.  I will be presenting as part of a Phase 1 event, sharing information on relationship issues and stress that may be encountered after the unit deploys to Kuwait later this month to support operations in Afghanistan.  Your prayers are appreciated as I provide support to the soldiers and family members in attendance who are experiencing a mix of emotions prior to a 12-month deployment.

I'll be back on Saturday night and look forward to leading the orientation for our first-ever Disciples Class on Sunday morning.  25 youth signed up for this 12-week class that will help them prepare to make an informed decision about church membership and baptism, and I encourage you to keep this group of young people, their families, and their mentors in your prayers as well.

Grace and Peace,
Russ

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