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 Weekly E-news
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Dear youth and parents,
It's been a busy but meaningful week for our youth ministry as our youth led the congregation in morning worship services on Youth Sunday and as we gathered to honor our high school graduates last night at the Senior Banquet. There's a lot I could say about both of those events, so I'm going to limit myself to one comment on Youth Sunday this week and one on the Senior Banquet next week.
I have heard from many people that they were moved by the Youth Sunday worship services and that the youth seemed to have an ownership of the services that they hadn't seen before. I completely agree. Herb, Jessica, and I were all amazed at how little stress and chaos existed before and during the services (which was a pleasant new experience for us). So why was that the case? I think it's because of the strides that we've made in helping youth feel like this is their church. Not that they're part of a youth ministry that's tangential to the church. Not that they're the future of the church, waiting for their turn. They understand that they are an integral part of the church right now, and so it's natural that they would lead their church in worship. I am thankful to this congregation, because I've always believed that Youth Sunday is a time when the youth hold up a mirror to the larger church. Our young people are continually shaped by the congregation (for better or worse), so what you experience on Youth Sunday tells you a lot about UCC. If you're proud of our youth, that's great. But you should also be proud of yourselves and see this as encouragement to continue to find ways to include our youth in the full life of the church.
Read on for info about the summer camp registration deadline, end-of-the-year youth parties, the Chi Rho Mission Trip, and more!
Grace and Peace,
Russ
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Latte with the Ladies this Saturday at The Cup on Camp Bowie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ Latte with the Ladies, a monthly intergenerational gathering for women at a local coffee shop, will be this Saturday, May 12. Ladies of all ages are invited to gather at The Cup (3909 Camp Bowie Blvd.) at 9 a.m. for tasty beverages and informal conversation. Invite a friend and drop in anytime during the morning! |
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Registration deadline for summer camps 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 by the regular deadline for 6th-12th grade camps, and additional full or half scholarships are available toward the early-bird price if needed.
This Sunday, May 13 is the regular registration deadline, which saves 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 end-of-the-year parties on Sunday, May 20
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Our middle and high school youth will have end-of-the-year parties on Sunday, May 20:
The Chi Rho party for grades 6-8 will be hosted by the Rodenberg family at 3705 Briarhaven Rd. from 2-5 p.m.
The CYF party for grades 9-12 will be hosted by the Cox family at 3313 Chaparral Ln. from 6-8 p.m.
Both parties will include swimming, games, and good food. Mark your calendar, and watch the e-news next week for more details!
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Chi Rho Mission Trip to 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 the Chi Rho Mission Trip 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. |
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Youth volunteers needed for Vacation Bible School 2012
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Youth events and key dates on the horizon...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ May 13 - Youth ministry volunteer appreciation dinner - 6:30 p.m.
May 13 - Summer camp regular registration deadline
May 20 - Chi Rho End-of-the-year party hosted by Rodenberg family - 2-5 p.m.
May 20 - CYF end-of-the-year party hosted by Cox family - 6-8 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
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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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