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  Weekly E-news
         December 7, 2012

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in this issue
Alison Nicoll called as Assistant Minister for Middle School
Worship, service, and fun at the CYF Lock-in tonight
Latte with the Ladies this Saturday at Buon Giorno Coffee
High school youth go caroling this Sunday evening
New video created by 9th-10th grade Sunday school class

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Dear youth and parents, 

 

It was great to see so many of you at the Hanging of the Greens service on Sunday night, and I'm thankful for all the youth and volunteers who came out to make this joyous service happen.  Nearly 70 youth were involved in the service in many different roles - processing and hanging greenery, lighting candles, reading scripture and descriptions of symbols, playing in handbell choirs, offering prayers, and receiving the offering. (Speaking of which...we raised over $1,200 for the Disciples Crossing capital campaign!)  I'm always amazed that so many people contribute their time and talent to make this service happen each year, and I know there are so many in the congregation for whom this was a very meaningful worship experience.

 
Read on for a very exciting announcement, along with information about tonight's CYF Lock-in, Latte with the Ladies, a new video created by our youth, and more!


Grace and Peace,
Russ 



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Alison Nicolls called as Assistant Minister for Middle School
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Alison Nicol

Alison Nicoll has accepted a call to serve as Assistant Minister for Middle School, providing leadership for UCC's ministries to youth in grades 6-8.  A native of West Des Moines, Iowa, Alison just completed her first semester at Brite Divinity School.  She is a 2012 graduate of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa where she majored in Social Work.

Alison brings with her a wealth of experience in both church and camp settings.  She grew up at West Des Moines Christian Church, a large congregation where she served as a summer intern as a college student.  Alison also interned at the Christian Conference Center, the Disciple camp in Newton, Iowa, and most recently has volunteered at First Christian Church in Cleburne as a youth sponsor and a singer in the contemporary service.  She is passionate about youth ministry, and plans to continue serving in that field after she completes her studies at Brite and is ordained.

 

Alison will be at UCC this Sunday for Youth Ministry Committee, Sunday School, and youth groups.  Following the youth Christmas parties on December 16 she will head home to Iowa for Christmas.  But don't worry - she will be back in time for the Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival on January 5!

 

Alison's UCC e-mail and phone extension will be set up next week.  In the meantime, you can reach her at [email protected] if you'd like to send a note to welcome her to UCC.  In addition to her time at church on Sundays, she will typically be at church between classes on Mondays and Fridays next semester.  She will share the Assistant Ministers' office (Room 301) with Jessica Vacketta and Mark Weathers.

 

Special thanks to the committee that interviewed Alison and recommended her for the position: Tom Lanter, Tracie McCrary, Connor Nolan, Carter Wilken, and Robin Williams.

 


Like us on Facebook  Worship, service, and fun at the CYF Lock-in tonight
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From Jessica Vacketta, Assistant Minister for High School:

 Lock-in image

Back by popular demand - the CYF Lock-in!!! Christmas service projects, sardines, Settlers of Catan, midnight worship...oh my! Tonight (December 7) youth in grades 9-12 are invited to bring themselves (and a friend) to this year's lock-in. Youth will need to eat dinner before they arrive, but we ask that everyone bring $5 help cover snacks.  We WILL be sleeping, so youth are encouraged to bring a sleeping bag and pillow.

 

*Adult help needed: We still need 1 additional male chaperone to stay overnight. You would not have to arrive until 1 a.m. (at the latest).  If you can help out in this way, contact me at [email protected].

 


Latte with the Ladies this Saturday at Buon Giorno Coffee
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Steaming coffee~~ 
Latte with the Ladies, a monthly intergenerational gathering for women at a local coffee shop, will be this Saturday, December 8. Ladies of all ages are invited to gather at Buon Giorno (915 Florence St.) between 9 and 11 a.m. for tasty beverages and informal conversation. Invite a friend and drop in this Saturday morning!


   

High school youth go caroling this Sunday evening
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Christmas carolers
Youth in grades 9-12 will go Christmas caroling to homebound church members this Sunday evening, December 9. The group will gather at 6:20 p.m.to divide into cars with adult sponsors before leaving the church promptly at 6:30. If you're planning to eat Snack Supper, be sure to arrive right at 6 p.m. to ensure you have time to eat before the departure time. The group will return by the normal youth group end time of 7:45 p.m. Contact Jessica at [email protected] if you have questions or need more information.

 


New video created by 9th-10th grade Sunday school class
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Our 9th and 10th grade youth created a video over several Sunday school classes that teaches a lesson about the joy of giving.  Click the image below to take a look at the fruits of their labor, and feel free to share it with others!

The $1 Bill - It's All Joy
The $1 Bill - It's All Joy


Youth events and key dates on the horizon...
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December 7 - CYF Lock-in (grades 9-12) - 7 p.m.

December 16 - Youth Christmas Parties hosted by Darrs/Lanters - 6:30 p.m.

December 23 - Family Caroling Party - 6:30 p.m.

December 30 - All-church potluck brunch during Sunday school hour
January 25-26 - Reel Religion Film Festival
February 1-3 - Chi Rho Midwinter Retreat (grades 6-8) at Disciples Crossing
February 22-24 - CYF Midwinter Retreat (grades9-12) at Disciples Crossing

More ways to keep up...
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Staff Links
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Russ Boyd, Associate Minister for Youth - E-mail Russ
Jessica Vacketta, Assistant Minister for CYF (grades 9-12) - E-mail Jessica
Sharyn Peterson, Ministry Assistant - E-mail Sharyn
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