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 Weekly E-news
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Dear youth and parents,
I'm on my way back from a week of Staff Operations Training with the battalion staff from my Army Reserve unit, and I'm looking forward to getting back to Texas weather and away from Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. (I have, however, enjoyed the cheese.) I'll be home just in time for something really special: After lots of hard work by Jessica Vacketta and numerous volunteers, UCC's new Prom Dreams ministry will have it's grand opening tomorrow in the space above the Children's Closet (the top floor of the two-story house next to the church). We have a handy volunteer form online that lists all the available slots for the next few weeks when we'll need people to "tend the store" as young ladies pick out dresses and accessories. Read on for details, and be sure to choose a shift to help this new and meaningful ministry!
Grace and Peace,
Russ
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Sunday night youth groups return this Sunday, March 20
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All Sunday night programs that follow The Search worship gathering on Sunday evenings will return this weekend, including Chi Rho and CYF youth groups. Our normal Sunday evening schedule will resumes with snack supper at 6 p.m. and youth groups from 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
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Middle schoolers - register for Chi Rho Spring Retreat in Athens
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 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 this 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. |
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Prayer in the chapel each Wednesday evening during Lent
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During this Lenten season we're 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 through 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, youth groups, Wednesday Night Prayer, and on the desk outside the Gathering Room (303).
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Prom Dreams Grand Opening this Saturday - volunteers needed!
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 The Prom Dreams Grand Opening is this Saturday, March 19 and volunteers are 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. (Sorry if you tried to volunteer last week - the link has been fixed!) 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. |
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Interested in helping with the Class of 2011's Senior Banquet?
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 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. |
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Prayer shawl ministry moves to Sunday evenings - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
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 On March 13 the Sunday Prayer Shawl ministry group began meeting at 6:30 p.m. and will continue to do so throughout the season of Lent. This new meeting time is parallel to UCC's Sunday night youth and children's groups, creating a great opportunity to participate in the Prayer Shawl ministry while members of your family are already at church. This ministry welcomes all who wish to participate and experienced knitters are happy to help anyone learn.
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Youth events on the horizon...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 19 - Prom Dreams grand opening
March 23 - Chapel open for prayer and reflection each Wednesday - 7-8 p.m.
April 1-3 - Chi Rho Spring Retreat at Disciples Crossing (grades 6-8)
April 3 - Camp/Mission Trip Registration Sunday
April 10 - Youth Trialogue event at the Islamic Association with Temple Beth-El
May 8 - Youth Sunday in morning worship services
May 11 - Senior Banquet - 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
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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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