Sunday night youth groups take a break, return March 20 

 Prayer in the chapel each Wednesday evening during Lent 
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During this Lenten season we will be offering Wednesday Night Prayer in UCC's Chapel of the Good Shepherd for youth in grades 6-12, their friends, and parents/guardians. This will be an open, informal prayer time from 7-8 p.m. every Wednesday, March 16 - April 20. There will be different prayers stations and various guided prayers, or people can simply come to reflect, meditate, or pray on their own. Though the prayer time is one hour, we encourage you to come and go as you please.  

Want something to guide your prayer time, whether it's in the chapel or at home?  Lenten reflection journals are available for all youth at Sunday school, Wednesday Night Prayer, and on the desk outside the Gathering Room (303).

Garage Sale success!  Thanks to all our volunteers!     

UCC's Garage Sale was a resounding success, and the fundraiser netted over $9,000 for youth camp scholarships.  We owe many thanks to Cyrena Allen and Kalen Ruiz for putting together and overseeing the event, Robin Nelson for recruiting and organizing volunteers, Craig Allen for handling pick-ups of large items, and over 75 helpers who collected donations, sorted items, ran checkouts, greeted shoppers, carried items to cars, and more. Volunteers: Your hard work means more youth will be impacted by camps and retreats at Disciples Crossing, a place where they will grow closer to God and others on holy ground.  Thanks so much for your help! 

Middle schoolers - register for Chi Rho Spring Retreat in Athens   

Our youth in grades 6-8 have the opportunity to join middle schoolers from Disciple churches around the area for the Chi Rho Spring Retreat coming up April 1-3 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, March 20, and you can download one by clicking here.  Parents: We will need adult chaperones to attend the retreat as well.  If you're interested in attending the retreat as an adult sponsor, contact Herb Murray at herb@uccftw.com.

Last call!  Bring your money from the H2O Challenge this Sunday
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Many UCC youth, children, and adults took the challenge to make water their only beverage for 2 weeks as part of the H2O Project, and this Sunday is our last collection day for those finishing their two weeks.  Just bring the money to Sunday school or The Search and we'll begin combining our resources to help provide clean water for those in need! For more information on the H2O project, visit www.theh20project.org.  

Interested in helping with the Class of 2011's Senior Banquet?  

Please contact this year's Senior Banquet Coordinator, Carol Wilkerson at cmwilkerson@aol.com, if you are available to help plan the banquet or volunteer the day of the event (May 11).

The planning team will coordinate food, invitations, decorations, and organize photos of graduates for a slide show. On the night of the event volunteers are needed for set-up, serving, and clean-up.

Prom Dreams volunteers needed throughout March! 

The Prom Dreams Grand Opening is next Saturday, March 19 and we are still in need of volunteers and dresses and accessories! Tomorrow, Saturday, March 12 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. we will be collecting items and have the Prom Dreams "store" open for an informal volunteer training so that people can familiarize themselves with the space and ask questions about the various volunteer opportunities. On Saturday we will also paint dressing rooms, hang mirrors, and organize our inventory. Next Wednesday, March 16, there will be a work day to finish up last minute details before the Saturday opening. If you are in town over spring break and would like to help, please e-mail jessica@uccftw.com.

Volunteers are also needed to help during Prom Dreams hours of operation. Volunteers will act as "sales associates" for the Prom Dreams "store" and will help girls "shop" for their dresses. Volunteers will also help manage the inventory as we "rent" (for free) dresses, shoes, jewelry, purses, etc. to these ladies. It takes less than one minute to sign up - just click here  to provide your info and select the volunteer slot(s) you'd like. 

Dates volunteers are needed:

Thursday, March 24 & 31 from 5-7 p.m. and Thursday April, 7 & 14 5-7 p.m.

Saturday, March 19 & 26 and April 2, 9, & 16, 10 a.m.-3p.m.

Prayer shawl ministry moves to Sunday evenings - 6:30-7:30 p.m.