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 Weekly E-news
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Dear youth and parents,
Thanks to all of you who provided such positive feedback on the blog post that I was invited to write for the Fuller Youth Institute about youth in leadership here at UCC. (If you missed it last week, you can read it for yourself here). Something I didn't mention because the article was already too long was that out of the new slate of 20 deacons proposed for leadership at UCC, five of them are youth (two middle schoolers and three high schoolers). They will not be officially approved until the May meeting of the UCC Assembly, but I don't think it's too early to let David Connelly, Mindy McCoy, Malcolm McDonald, Sarah Jane McDonald, and Erinn Miller know that you appreciate their dedication to this church and their willingness to be servant leaders!
Read on for our final family-oriented reflection from the Sticky Faith Lenten resource we're using at youth groups, holy week and Easter info, summer camp discount deadline, Soul Brothers retreat deadline, mission trip details, and more!
Grace and Peace,
Russ |
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Lenten idea for parents: Made New
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From Jessica Vacketta: Congratulations - you've finished the 40 day journey of Lent. Our hope is that you've noticed more about silence, rest, brokenness, finding God in the unexpected, simplifying your life, lamenting, loss, and ultimately NEW LIFE. Seal these 40 days of "noticing" with a note to each of your family members. Use this note only to encourage and bless your family members, not to challenge them. Maybe write how you have "noticed" God in them over the past 40 days. There are probably at least one or two changes you've noticed in your family's life since you started this journey, but it's also likely that you sense how much further you still have to go. Be encouraged by Paul's words to the church in Philippi when he says to "be certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue that work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." (Philippians 1:6) May you know the depth of God's love for you and your family, and may you continue to take time with your family to "be still" and notice God in both the chaos and calmness of our lives. Amen. |
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Worship opportunities on Maundy Thursday & Good Friday
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UCC offers two meaningful worship services in the sanctuary at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday evening this week:
Maundy Thursday service includes dramatic interpretation by actors commemorating the events surrounding the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples. Music will feature organ with oboe accompaniment. Preschool child care provided, though this is a "family friendly" service that will be engaging for children.
On Good Friday will walk the path of the crucifixion, guided by scripture, organ, and the Chancel Choir as candles are extinguished and the sanctuary gradually descends into darkness. Preschool child care provided during worship.
Good Friday worship will be preceded by a Labyrinth Walk from 4:30-7:30 p.m. in Room 207. All are invited to stop by and use this ancient tool to pray and medidate as you journey to the center of the labyrinth and back again. |
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Easter Sunday: Youth programs take a break this weekend
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There will be no UCC Sunday school classes on Sunday morning or programming following The Search on Sunday evening. We encourage you to join us for Easter worship at 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. or 5 p.m. and be sure to stop by Room 207 for the all-church potluck brunch that will be available from 7:30-11:00 a.m. Regular Sunday morning and evening programs will resume on April 15. |
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Deadline for summer camp early bird discount this Sunday!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ Youth and children from Pre-K through 12th grade have the opportunity to grow closer to God and one another this summer at Disciples Crossing, our church camp in Athens. There are nine different camps spread across the summer, each with a different focus. To see a full list of camp descriptions, dates, and prices, click here. For a registration form, click here. And for a tally sheet to total up your check(s), click here. UCC is covering $100 of the registration cost for those who register early for 6th-12th grade camps, and additional full or half scholarships are available to cover the early-bird price if needed.
If you missed our Camp Registration Day last Sunday, don't worry! You still have until this Sunday, April 7 to make the early bird deadline, saving up to $130 off the regular registration price. Just put your registration forms and checks in an envelope (ATTN: Sharyn Peterson) and drop it by the UCC reception desk or mail it in. |
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Registration continues for youth mission trips to LA and OKC
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Registration flyers for our summer youth mission trips are now available! Here's the skinny on both trips:
The Chi Rho Mission Trip to Oklahoma City for grades 6-8 will take place June 3-6. The group will be working at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, visiting the Okalahoma City Memorial and Museum, and cooling off at a local water park at the end of the trip. Cost is $175 per person and scholarships are available upon request. Full details are available on the registration flyer.
The CYF Mission Trip to Los Angeles for grades 9-12 will take place July 21-28. The group will be working at Loch Leven Camp and All People's Community Center, touring Chapman University (a Disciple college), and visiting several cultural attractions in the area. Cost is $375 per person and scholarships are available upon request. Full details are available on the registration flyer. |
Deadline Sunday to sign up for the Soul Brothers Retreat ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  We're excited that UCC's youth ministry will again be partnering with our men's ministry to sponsor the Soul Brothers Retreat for guys 6th grade through adult, coming up April 20-22. This year's event will be held at Glen Lake Retreat Center in Glen Rose and will feature Rev. Rob Morris of Ridglea Christian Church as the keynote speaker. Cost is $80 for youth and $110 for men. A $50 deposit is required with registration, and scholarships are available upon request (as always). This is a great opportunity for our youth and adults to spend time together praying, playing, eating, and sharing life together - download a registration form to sign up, and pay online to secure your spot by this Sunday, April 8! |
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Youth events and key dates on the horizon...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ April 8 - Summer camp early bird discount deadline
April 20-21 - Soul Brothers retreat for guys 6th grade - adult
May 1 - Mission trip registration deadline
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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 | UCC Youth
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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