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Small UCC youth logo
  Weekly E-news
            September 2, 2011

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in this issue
No youth groups this Sunday evening due to Labor Day
Volunteer at Children's Closet "Bag-it Night" this Wednesday
New youth directories available - and a directory disclaimer
Snack supper punchcards available for Sunday night convenience


Dear youth and parents,
 
I had a great week in San Antonio attending the Army's Strong Bonds Instructor Course, and I'm excited about sharing the PICK (singles) and LINKS (married couples) courses that I'm now certified to teach.  Though they're used by the military, the programs are designed to be offered in many different settings (church, community) and formats (weekly class, weekend retreat).  There's even a youth version of PICK that we'll be incorporating into our high school ministry very soon, and I'm looking forward to seeing our youth learn how to get their hearts and minds working together to help them develop healthy relationships.  If you'd like to learn more about these programs and what's involved, visit the Love Thinks website at www.lovethinks.com.  I have the resources to get others in our congregation certified as instructors for free, so if you'd be interested in helping lead the courses please let me know!

Read on for more info on what's coming up this week, including the annual Children's Closet "Bag-it Night" that needs lots of youth volunteers!

Grace and Peace,
Russ


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No youth groups this Sunday evening due to Labor Day

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There will be no Sunday evening programs for youth or children following The Search worship gathering this Sunday, September 4 due to the Labor Day holiday.  On September 11, all youth in grades 6-12 will be gathering for snack supper in the 3rd Floor Kitchen as usual at 6 p.m. before joining with the congregation for the 9/11 Memorial Concert in the Sanctuary from 6:30-7:30. Regular Sunday night youth groups will resume on September 18. 



Volunteer at Children's Closet "Bag-it Night" this Wednesday
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Bag-it night graphicUCC's Children's Closet will be distributing over 2,000 school uniforms this year, and your help is needed!  Youth will gather in Fellowship Hall at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7 to move boxes of clothing and set up for the annual "Bag-it Night." The youth will be joined by volunteers of all ages at 6 p.m. to get the school uniforms bagged, and the event will wrap up by 8.  Your work will make a huge difference in the lives of Fort Worth schoolchildren, and you'll earn service hours as well!  If you have questions, please contact Heidi Reeder at 817.913.3304 or [email protected].

 

 



New youth directories available - and a directory disclaimer
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Youth directory coverIt was quite an undertaking with a lot of people involved, but I'm happy to report that we have handy UCC youth directories available this year!  If you didn't pick one up at the Youth Family Roundup on Sunday evening, be sure to get one for your household before Sunday school or youth groups any Sunday this month.  Not only does the directory include contact, school, and grade info for youth and their families, it has a major events calendar, Disciples Class info, lists and contact info for lay leaders, youth serving in leadership positions, and more!  Special thanks to Susan Brown for coordinating the effort, Errol Henry for organizing and publishing the directory, and Lauren Henry for the lovely cover design.

Note: The one area that's not as accurate as we'd like are the e-mail addresses grouped with each household.  Unfortunately the e-mail service that contains each family member's up-to-date addresses is separate from the church's main database that contains all the other info.  We're hoping to get that straightened out for next year, in the meantime we figured it's best to print what we have.

 



Snack supper punchcards available for Sunday night convenience
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Snack supper graphicWe're trying something new this year to make things easier for everyone involved in Sunday nights: Snack supper punchcards are available for snack supper.  Each card costs $30, includes 10 dinners, and is kept at the church so you don't even have to keep up with it.  Just find your card in the box before going through the line, punch it, and enjoy dinner!  You can use the same cards for siblings, friends, or whoever you like - just punch it once for each dinner.  To buy your card, just bring $30 cash or a $30 check payable to UCC to Sunday school or snack supper and see one of the youth ministers.

 



Spread the word: UCC has season parking for TCU football
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TCU LogoWe're excited to offer season parking for TCU football games at UCC this year, and we need your help to spread the word!  All the information is available online at www.uccfootballparking.org including pricing, rules, lot location, and required forms.  A majority of the proceeds this year benefit UCC's youth ministry, providing scholarships for camps and mission trips.  Tell your Frog fanatic friends and support our ministry to youth! 


Youth events on the horizon..
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September 4 - No Sunday evening youth programs due to Labor Day
September 7 - Children's Closet "Bag-It Night" - Youth start at 5:15 p.m. in FH
September 11 - 9/11 Memorial Concert - 6:30 p.m. in Sanctuary after snack supper
October 22 - CYF Day at TCU - Regional youth event for TCU game - 10:30 a.m.
October 30 - Youth Sunday at The Search - 5 p.m.
November 4-6 - Chi Rho Fall Retreat (grades 6-8) at Disciples Crossing
November 18-20 - CYF Fall Retreat (grades 9-12) at Disciples Crossing


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 - E-mail Sharyn
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