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Small UCC youth logo
  Weekly E-news
            August 1, 2011

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in this issue
Chi Rho outing to Burger's Lake tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Drive-in movie this Friday night for CYF and new freshmen
Mission Trip Shareholders Luncheon this Sunday afternoon
Register now for this year's UCC Youth Back-to-School Retreat
Called UCC Assembly and congregational meetings this week
Think reminders are helpful? Sign up for UCC Youth text alerts!


Dear youth and parents,
 
Sarah and I just returned last night from San Francisco where we attended our first Strong Bonds event (the name for the Army's excellent marriage enrichment retreat program).  Over four days the instructors led us and 60 other couples through presentations and activities designed to help us develop good communication skills, a better understanding of our partners, and other techniques designed to help couples "divorce-proof" their marriages.  We both enjoyed the program, along with the free time that's built in to allow participants to explore the area together.  We're glad to be back with our daughter, though not excited about leaving daily highs of 65 degrees!  I will be leaving again on Thursday morning to attend an annual training event in Salt Lake City for chaplains and chaplain assistants serving units that are part of the 807th Medical Command.  I'll look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning after I return.

Read on for LOTS of major events and news, including two youth outings this week, registration for the upcoming Back-to-School Retreat, and more!

Grace and Peace,
Russ


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Outing to Burger's Lake for Chi Rho & new 6th graders tomorrow  Find us on Facebook
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Burger's Lake

Our middle school youth (including upcoming 6th graders) will be escaping the heat tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon on the sandy beaches and water slides of Burger's Lake! The group will meet at the church at 1 p.m. to carpool over to the lake, and will return around 5:30 p.m. In addition to swimming, we'll be  making ice cream sundaes and playing some fun group games together. Bring $10 for admission and everything you need to swim and we'll look forward to seeing you there!

PARENTS: If you're available to drive to or from the lake (or would like to join us for the afternoon), e-mail Russ at [email protected]

  
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Brazos Drive-in

UCC's high school youth and our new freshmen will be traveling to Granbury this Friday night to see "Cowboys and Aliens" at the Brazos Drive-In.  The group will meet at UCC at 7:30 p.m. to carpool to Granbury and should return around 11:30.  Participants will need $5 (plus money for the snack bar) and a lawn chair or blanket is recommended.

PARENTS: We need adults to serve as drivers/chaperones for the event.  If you're willing and able to do so, contact Jessica Vacketta at
[email protected] .  

 



Mission Trip Shareholders Luncheon this Sunday afternoon
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Stock sale graphicParticipants in the youth mission trips and their families are invited to join all those who bought stock in the trips for the Mission Trip Shareholders Luncheon this Sunday in Room 207. The luncheon will begin immediately after the called congregational meeting that will follow the 11:00 service.  Our missionaries will share photos and stories from the Chi Rho Mission Trip to Austin and the CYF Mission Trip to Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries in Los Fresnos, TX.

 

The luncheon is free for shareholders and $5 each for all others.  If you plan to attend, please e-mail Sharyn at [email protected] so that we can order enough food for everyone. 

 


Register now for this year's UCC Youth Back-to-School Retreat!
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Small UCC youth logoAll youth entering grades 6-12 are invited to the annual Back-to-School Retreat, scheduled for August 12-14.  Over the weekend our youth and adult sponsors and teachers will travel to Briarwood Retreat Center near Flower Mound for group building, prayer, fellowship, worship, small groups, and fun.

 

The group will meet at UCC at 7 p.m. on Friday night and return to the church in time for Sunday school.  Cost is $95 per participant and scholarships are available upon request.  This is a great way to get to know other youth and adult leaders as we begin a new year, so be sure not to miss it!  Click here to download a registration packet that includes additional details, forms, a schedule, and a packing list for the weekend.  

 

 

 

 

Called UCC Assembly and congregational meetings this week   

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The UCC Assembly (comprised of elders, deacons, stewards, ministry chairs, and others in leadership) will meet this Wednesday, August 3 at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall to hear a report from the Senior Minister Search Committee.  This is an open meeting of the Assembly, and anyone from the congregation is welcome to attend.  Childcare will be provided and no reservations are necessary.

There will also be a congregational meeting this Sunday, August 7 in the sanctuary immediately after the 11:00 service to hear from the Senior Minister Search Committee.  Childcare will be extended to last through the congregational meeting. 


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.   



Youth events on the horizon..
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August 2 - Chi Rho outing to Burgers Lake w/ incoming 6th graders - meet at 1 p.m.
August 3 - UCC Assembly meets to hear from Senior Minister Search Cmte - 6:30 p.m.
August 5 - CYF trip to Granbury for movie at Brazos Drive-In - meet at 7:30 p.m.
August 7 - Congregational meeting to hear from Senior Minister Search Cmte - 12 p.m.
August 7 - Mission Trip Shareholders Luncheon - following cong. meeting
August 12-14 - Back-to-School Retreat for incoming 6th-12th graders meet at 7 p.m.
August 21 - Promotion Sunday and Youth Ministry Orientation

More ways to keep up...
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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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