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Small UCC youth logo
  Weekly E-news
               May 18, 2012

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in this issue
Come hungry for Breakfast with the Guys tomorrow morning
Youth end-of-the-year parties this Sunday, May 20
Chi Rho Mission Trip to OKC - limited spaces available
Youth volunteers needed for Vacation Bible School 2012

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Dear youth and parents,

I'm back in the office after two Army Reserve events, one in Anaheim providing chaplain support for soldiers and families who have returned from deployment, the other at a local hotel where chaplains and chaplain assistants from throughout the southwestern US gathered for our annual conference.  Though both were great events, I'm glad to be done with Army travel until my two-week annual training in September.

I mentioned last week that I would share some thoughts on the Senior Banquet, our annual event that honors our church's high school graduates.  One of the reasons we have made this event a major priority and recruited a team of lay people to support the effort is that research shows that high school graduation may be the biggest disconnection point from the church.  Our friends at the Fuller Youth Institute have provided us with some incredible insights on how to help our youth bridge this transition, and the banquet on May 9 highlighted a few of those.  One that you hear me talk about often is to ensure that youth feel like a part of the larger church (not just the youth ministry) and each year we see more and more people from the UCC community in attendance at the banquet who are not related to the graduates - which says a lot to me about their connection with the larger church.  This year I was especially pleased that the People's Bible Class purchased study Bibles for all the graduates, a meaningful way for an adult Sunday school class to connect with our youth through a gift that communicates what that class values.  We also welcomed Carol Elliott from UCC's Campus Ministry Committee to share the ways that our church provides ministry and support for college students locally and outside the area so that they can continue to stay connected with this faith community during the next stage of their journey.

Senior Banquet photo 2012

If you have never been to the banquet, I highly encourage you to join us on May 8, 2013 as we honor next year's graduating class.  Even if you don't know any of the youth graduating, I guarantee you that you'll be inspired by the young people you'll meet and moved by the ways we celebrate their lives and commit to nurture them in the future.


Read on for info about Breakfast with the Guys, end-of-the-year youth parties, the Chi Rho Mission Trip, and more!

Grace and Peace,
Russ 



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Come hungry for Breakfast with the Guys tomorrow morning

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Breakfast with the Guys, a quartlery event hosted by UCC's Men's Ministry, will take place tomorrow, May 19 at 8:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall and youth are welcome to participate. Rev. Erik Gronberg, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, will be the speaker, and the menu typically includes eggs, sausage biscuits & gravy, and more. A $5 donation is requested to help cover expenses.


Youth end-of-the-year parties this Sunday, May 20 
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Pool party graphic

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.  Bring a snack to share and we'll have a variety of indoor and outdoor activities (including a pool if you'd like to swim).

The CYF party for grades 9-12 will be hosted by the Cox family at 3313 Chaparral Ln. from 6-8 p.m.  We'll be grilling out for dinner, so 9th/10th grades should bring a dessert and 11th/12th should bring a side or snack to share.  Wear/bring a swimsuit and towel if you'd like to swim.

Use the links above for maps, and call Russ at 817-372-7307 if you have questions or need more specifc directions.  See you Sunday!

 



Chi Rho Mission Trip to OKC - limited spaces available
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Roofing photo

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!

Like us on Facebook  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.



Youth volunteers needed for Vacation Bible School 2012
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From Kera Watts, Director of Children's Ministries:
VBS logo 2012

Feeling sad that you are too old to participate in Vacation Bible School? Don't be - we NEED YOU! Take time during VBS week (June 26-29  from 9 a.m. - noon) to step back to your preschool or elementary days and share some of your energy, enthusiasm, and spirit with kids. More importantly, young children are looking up to you, think you are great, and want to be like you. Create relationships that will last years by spending time with kids during VBS teaching, learning, and having fun together.

You can sign up as a volunteer online by clicking here. We need to know you are coming so we can match you with the best job available, so please take the time to clear your calendar for June 26-29 and sign up today!  Addtional VBS information is available at www.ucckids.org.



Youth events and key dates on the horizon...
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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.
June 3-6 - Chi Rho Mission Trip to Oklahoma City - depart at 2 p.m.
June 11-16 - Niner's Camp at Disciples Crossing - meet at 8 a.m. to carpool
June 18-23 - CYF Conference at Disciples Crossing - meet at 8 a.m. to carpool
June 25-30 - Chi Rho Camp at Disciples Crossing - meet at 8 a.m. to carpool
June 26-29 - Vacation Bible School - youth volunteers needed

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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