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Small UCC youth logo
  Weekly E-news
            July 21, 2011

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in this issue
Church-wide Harry Potter celebration this Saturday night
Youth to Rangers baseball game on July 27 - RSVP by Monday!
Save the date for this year's UCC Youth Back-to-School Retreat!
Think reminders are helpful? Sign up for UCC Youth text alerts!
UCC Youth summer fellowship activities - join the fun!


Dear youth and parents,
 
I had a great time in Nashville at our denomination's General Assembly, and Jessica, Herb, and I learned a lot at the Disciples Youth Ministry Network event that followed at Montgomery Bell State Park.  Andrew Root, a professor at Luther Seminary in Minnesota, was our keynoter and provided a lot for us to process, consider, and implement in our own ministries.  He has studied and written extensively about building relationships with youth in the church: why we often do it, why we SHOULD do it instead, what impact it has, how to do it effectively, and more.  What we learned will definitely influence the way that we train and equip our adult volunteers who work with youth at UCC, and we're excited about putting those ideas into practice.

There are two big events coming up this week: the all-church Harry Potter Party on Saturday and the youth outing to see the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.  Read on for more info and remember to RSVP!

Grace and Peace,
Russ


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Click on Find us on Facebook next to any headline to vist the related Facebook event.

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Church-wide Harry Potter celebration this Saturday night  Find us on Facebook
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Hogwarts bannerYOU have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and we look forward to seeing you there!  Several of UCC's ministry areas are collaborating on a huge Harry Potter celebration this Saturday evening, June 23 from 7-9 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.  The family-friendly event will include games, activities, and snacks from the series, plus the opportunity to compete in a quidditch tournament.  Bring $5 for admission and a broom if you'd like to play quidditch, and all are encouraged to bring friends and dress up for the event! Questions or interested in helping?  Contact Judith Guy at [email protected] or visit the Facebook event by clicking here


Youth to Rangers baseball game on July 27 - RSVP by Monday!  Find us on Facebook
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Rangers ballpark photo

All 6th-12th grade youth (along with friends and families) are invited to a night at the ballpark as the Texas Rangers take on the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, July 27. The group will meet at UCC at 5:45 p.m. to carpool to Arlington for the 7:05 game. Tickets are $10 per person and you MUST RSVP by 4 p.m. this Monday for our group order.  Contact Judith Guy at [email protected] or 817.926.6631 ext. 148 to reserve your tickets. Oh yeah, and it's dollar hot dog night! Woot!

Parents: If you are willing to drive (and hopefully join us for the game) please contact Judith at
[email protected] to help us ensure we have enough seats. 

 



Save the date for this year's UCC Youth Back-to-School Retreat!
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Small UCC youth logoSummer is ending soon, and it's time to start looking ahead to a new school year with UCC's youth ministry - starting with the annual Back-to-School Retreat!  This event brings together our incoming 6th-12th grade youth for a weekend of worship, fun, prayer, and community building at Briarwood Retreat Center near Flower Mound. This year's retreat will take place August 12-14 (meeting at 7 p.m. and returning in time for Sunday school) and registration materials will be posted next week.  Mark your calendar and get excited about a great start to the new year!

 



Think reminders are helpful?  Sign up for UCC Youth text alerts!
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Cell phone graphic
Our youth ministry is excited to offer text alerts as a way to stay connected! Typical text alerts will include reminders for meetings and events, as well as time-sensitive announcements if an event is moved or canceled due to weather.  After you sign up for alerts, you will automatically be added to the appropriate group (Chi Rho or CYF) as well as any events for which you register (camps, mission trips, retreats). That way you only receive texts that are relevant to YOU!  Messages will go to parents AND youth to ensure everyone is on the same page, and we're committed to sending no more than two alerts per week to avoid straining your service plan.

Sound good? Here's how to sign up:


1. Send the following text message to 1-423-299-3299:

Join  #UCCFTW  YourFirstName  YourLastName

(Example:   join #UCCFTW Russ Boyd)

 

2. You will receive a confirmation text.  Reply YES to the confirmation.

3. You're done!  We'll add you to the relevant groups and events.   

 

 

UCC Youth summer fellowship activities - join the fun!  

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We have a number of great fellowship events for youth coming up this summer, so be sure to mark your calendars!  Here's what's in store:  
 
Chi Rho (completed grades 6-8)
 Pool party graphic
  
July 6: Outing to Main Event - 1:00 p.m.
July 23: All-church Harry Potter event (movie and party)
 
July 27: Texas Rangers baseball game - 5:45 p.m.
 
August 2: Outing to Burger's Lake w/ incoming 6th graders - 1 p.m.

CYF (completed grades 9-12)
 
  
June 23: Outing to play Whirlyball in Hurst - 1:15 p.m.

July 23: All-church Harry Potter Party - 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

July 27: Texas Rangers baseball game - 6:00 p.m.

August 5: Trip to Granbury for movie at Brazos Drive-In - 7:30 p.m.


All these events (and camp/mission trip reminders) are on the summer events postcard that mailed back in May. 
 Click here to download a PDF copy of the postcard.


Youth events on the horizon..
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July 23 - All-church Harry Potter Party in Fellowship Hall - 7 p.m.
July 27 - Texas Rangers baseball game - meet at 5:45 p.m.
August 2 - Chi Rho outing to Burgers Lake w/ incoming 6th graders - meet at 1 p.m.
August 5 - CYF trip to Granbury for movie at Brazos Drive-In - meet at 7:30 p.m.
August 12-14 - Back-to-School Retreat for incoming 6th-12th graders
August 21 - Promotion Sunday and Youth Ministry Orientation

More ways to keep up...
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calendar graphic
Youth Calendar



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Staff Links
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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
Aly Gideon - Summer Youth Ministry Intern - E-mail Aly
Judith Guy - Summer Youth Ministry Intern - E-mail Judith
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