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Weekly E-news February 24, 2012
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Dear youth and parents,
I just returned last night from Pasadena, California after a great trip with Larry Thomas, Kera Watts, and Steve Midgley for our first summit as part of a Sticky Faith Cohort sponsored by the Fuller Youth Institute. There is a LOT to share, and we received great training on adolescent faith development, organizing our church to impact kids faith in the long term, leading healthy change in the congregation, and lots more. We also had plenty of opportunities to work together as a team on the particulars of our own church, and were able to evaluate and assess our ministries as we looked forward to new and different ways of approaching our ministries. I'm planning to share things that we learned with you over the next few weeks here in the e-news, so be sure to stay tuned to get a few glimpses of what's going to be helping shape our ministries in the coming years. I'll also be including some family-oriented reflections shared by Herb and Jessica from the Sticky Faith Lenten resource they're using at youth groups on Sunday nights from now until Easter. The first one can be found below.
Read on for reminders about CYF Midwinter Retreat, Prom Dreams, our summer mission pilgrimmage to Nicaragua, and more!
Grace and Peace, Russ |
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Lenten idea for parents: Unplug
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From Herb Murray and Jessica Vacketta: In the spirit of Sabbath (an interruption of our normal routine designed to help us notice God), could you surprise your kids/family with a Sabbath moment? Perhaps dismiss a usual weekly chore to give them a break. Take everyone on a field trip to a local museum or park to notice God's creation. Say no to an unnecessary commitment on behalf of your family (a birthday party or extra soccer practice) and treat them to a relaxing night in instead. Or instead of working on the computer when you're around the house this weekend, keep it turned off and see who notices. Then at the end of the weekend ask what it was like for other members of your family for you to spend the weekend away from your computer.
For more ideas for this week, click here. (Also, click here for family ideas that connect with last Sunday's theme: Notice.) |
High school youth depart for CYF Midwinter Retreat today
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Prom Dreams will be opening soon - and you can help!
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The 2012 prom season is quickly approaching and UCC's Prom Dreams ministry needs your help! There will be an informational meeting for volunteers on Thursday, March 1 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Prom Dreams space above the Children's Closet. Volunteers will act as sales associates for the Prom Dreams "store" and will help girls select their dresses and accessories. As always, we are also in need of dresses (of all sizes), shoes, and purses to restock our inventory. Donations can be dropped off at the UCC reception desk. Unsure if a dress will work? Bring it by anyway! Dresses that are not selected after two seasons will be donated to Berry Good Buys. If you have questions, please contact Jessica Vacketta at jessica@uccftw.com.
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Interested in a mission pilgrimage to Nicaragua this summer?
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After a great mission pilgrimage to Nicaragua last summer, UCC is organizing another trip for the summer of 2012. This year's pilgrimage is scheduled for July 29 - August 5 and is open to youth and adults age 16 and up. The projected cost is $1,200 and a $100 deposit will secure your spot on the trip. Click here to download a reservation form, and feel free to contact Cyndy Twedell at cyndy@uccftw.com with questions.
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Know a youth who plays an instrument? Let us know!
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Several of UCC's ministries are interested in finding more opportunities for youth who play an instrument to share their talents in our worship services. To help make that happen, we need to develop an up-to-date list of youth and the instruments they play, whether it's a guitar, bassoon, viola, bagpipes, or theremin. Are you a middle or high school youth who plays an instrument? Do you have a youth in your house who plays? Click here and take a few seconds to let us know! |
Save the date for 2012 summer camps and mission trips!
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Registration forms for summer camps at Disciples Crossing and mission trips to Los Angeles and Oklahoma City will be released soon, but it's not too early to save those dates on your calendar. Click here for a full list of summer camps and mission trips with dates and corresponding ages, and be sure to pass them along to others who are interested. |
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Youth events and key dates on the horizon...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ February 24-26 - CYF Midwinter Retreat at Disciples Crossing March 11-17 - Intergenerational Mission Pilgrimage to El Paso April 1 - Camp/Mission Trip Registration Sunday April 20-21 - Soul Brothers intergenerational retreat for guys May 6 - Youth Sunday in morning worship services May 9 - Senior Banquet in Fellowship Hall - 6:15 p.m. Summer 2012 - Camps and mission trips - Click here for the schedule |
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More ways to keep up...
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Text Alerts |

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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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