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 Weekly E-news
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Dear youth and parents,
This Sunday morning our youth will be leading the worship services for UCC's annual Youth Sunday. Our middle and high schoolers have been working hard the last few weeks to put together a meaningful worship experience for our congregation based on the theme "Exploring Our Faith." Over the course of the service you'll hear how our youth have wrestled with different issues, ideas, and experiences in their lives and the ways that our church has helped them through that time of exploration.
I have always taken it for granted that every church has a Youth Sunday because it's been an important part of every church I have attended or served. However, I found that when I referenced it at the Sticky Faith Summit at Fuller Seminary I drew a lot of blank stares from leaders from other churches around the country. Turns out that many churches don't have a designated Sunday for youth to plan and lead worship, and when I explained how it worked they thought it was a bold, radical move by our church. I didn't have the heart to tell them that this is something the vast majority of Disciples of Christ congregations have been doing since at least the 1960's or 70's (I would estimate, anyway). I'm thankful that UCC is one of those congregations - a place where it's assumed that our youth have something important to say, and where they are entrusted with our worship services so that they have an opportunity to say it. Parents: I hope to see you in the pews on Sunday. Youth: I hope to see you at practice on Saturday or before the service on Sunday - there are always plenty of places still available to plug you in!
Read on for additional Youth Sunday details, limited spaces available on mission trips, Senior Banquet RSVP deadline, volunteering with Vacation Bible School this summer, registering for summer camps, and more!
Grace and Peace,
Russ |
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Youth mission trips to LA and OKC - limited spaces available
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The deadline to guarantee a spot on our summer mission trips was Tuesday, May 1, but there are still limited spaces available on both trips on a first-come, first-served basis. If you'd like to go, download the appropriate registration flyer below and turn it in ASAP!
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. |
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Honor UCC's graduates at the Senior Banquet this Wednesday
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University Christian Church invites you to come honor our 2012 high school graduates at the Senior Banquet this Wednesday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m. During the evening we'll share a dinner catered by Pulido's, take time to meet each of the graduates, see photos and memorabilia from their journeys, and send them off with a gift and the blessing of their church family. RSVP's for dinner are needed today, so be sure to contact Sharyn at sharyn@uccftw.com to let her know the number in your party. The cost is $10 per person. |
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Youth volunteers needed for Vacation Bible School 2012
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Registrations continue for summer camps at Disciples Crossing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ 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 by the regular deadline for 6th-12th grade camps, and additional full or half scholarships are available to cover the early-bird price if needed.
If you missed the April 7 deadline for the early bird discount, don't worry! You still have until Sunday, May 13 to make the regular registration deadline, saving up to $140 off the late 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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Youth events and key dates on the horizon...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ May 5 - Youth Sunday rehearsal 10 a.m. - noon; Sanctuary decorating at 5 p.m.
May 6 - Youth Sunday in morning worship services - meet at 8 a.m.
May 9 - Senior Banquet in Fellowship Hall - Buffet line begins at 6:15 p.m.
May 13 - Youth ministry volunteer appreciation dinner - 6:30 p.m.
May 13 - Summer camp regular registration deadline
May 20 - End-of-the-year parties for Chi Rho and CYF - 2-5 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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