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 Weekly E-News November 22, 2013
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Dear youth and parents,
Alison, Michael, and I are all getting ready to travel next week for Thanksgiving break. Alison will be meeting her family on the Gulf Coast of Florida, and Michael will meet his in the mountains of North Carolina. I will be traveling to my hometown in Virginia, and appreciate your prayers since this is the first time Sarah and I will be flying with our 8-month-old twins (plus our 3-year-old). Should be an adventure! All of us will be back in town by Saturday, and we will look forward to seeing you on the first Sunday of Advent!
Read on for registration info for the "Just Say Know" sexuality education courses, potluck sign-ups for the 4th annual Youth Thanksgiving Feast, Hanging of the Greens information, and more.
Grace and Peace,
Russ |
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Registration opens for new sexuality education courses
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UCC's children's ministry and youth ministry are excited to offer "Just Say Know" courses this winter, providing comprehensive sexuality education for grades 4-12. The schedule for the classes is as follows:
High school course (grades 9-12)
Sundays, January 12 - March 2, 12:15-2:30 p.m.
Capstone lock-in on Friday night, March 21
Cost: $40 per participant
Click here for course topics
Middle school workshops (grades 6-8 with a parent)
Sundays, February 16 & 23, 12:15-3:30 p.m.
Cost: $20 per youth participant
Click here for course topics
Elementary school workshops (grades 4-5 with a parent)
Sunday, February 9, 12:15-3:15 p.m.
Separate workshops for boys and girls
Cost: $20 per child participant
Click here for course topics
Registration cost includes lunch, course materials, and a copy of Kate Ott's new book Sex+Faith: Talking with Youth Child from Birth to Adolescence. $10 discount for each additional child registered per family (since each family only needs one book). Scholarships for all courses will be available upon request.
Click here to register online, and be sure to spread the word to friends and neighbors so they can take advantage of this important program!
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High school youth depart for Disciples Crossing today
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4th annual Youth Thanksgiving Feast this Sunday evening
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The 4th annual Youth Thanksgiving Feast will be this Sunday, November 24 and all 6th-12th graders, volunteers, and parents are invited. Turkey will be provided, and we ask that everyone bring a side or dessert to share. Food should be brought to the 3rd floor kitchen between 6 and 6:15 p.m. for setup, and from 6:30 to 7:30 we will enjoy dinner and fun Thanksgiving activities in Room 303.
If you plan to attend, please click here to see what others have signed up to bring and add your side or dessert to the list. Five green bean casseroles is probably enough (for most people, anyway).
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Next football parking fundraiser: TCU vs. Baylor on Nov. 30
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Football season is here again, and youth and parents have the opportunity to raise money by parking cars in the church lots for TCU football games. Part of the money raised goes into youth and youth handbell choir reserve funds, and part goes into the individual accounts of those who work each game to use for camps, retreats, trips, and other church events. This year, each hour is worth $50 per family member who works.
The next TCU home game is on Saturday, November 30 against Baylor. Kickoff time has not been set, but once that information is available we will send out a link to the sign up sheet so that you can reserve your shift.
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All youth on deck! Hanging of the Greens is December 1
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The annual Hanging of the Greens worship service that decorates our sanctuary for the seasons of Advent and Christmas will be led by our middle and high school youth on Sunday, December 1 at 6 p.m. Youth who would like a speaking part should be present in the sanctuary at 3 p.m. to rehearse, while all other youth should arrive by 4 p.m. to practice processing and hanging the greenery. (Handbell ringers: You can ring in the bell choir and have a speaking part if you like.) This service requires 50+ youth, so we need you if you're available this Sunday!
If you purchased a long-sleeved Hanging of the Greens t-shirt in the past, plan to wear it. All participants who don't already have a Hanging of the Greens shirt will be given one to wear during the service. Participants can keep the shirt for only $10, and extra shirts will be available for the general public to purchase for $15. Click here to see the shirt design.
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Disciples Class prepares youth for baptism or confirmation
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Youth in grades 6-12 interested in learning more about baptism/confirmation and church membership are encouraged to participate in this year's Disciples Class. The 12-week course provides a helpful introduction to what it means to confess your faith, join the church, be baptized or confirmed, take communion, share your gifts, and more! This year's class will take place on Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. beginning with an orientation on January 12. Click here for more information on the class, or click here to register online. The registration deadline for this year's class is December 15.
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Youth events and key dates on the horizon...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
November 22-24 - CYF Fall Retreat at Disciples Crossing
November 24 - Youth Thanksgiving Feast - 6:30 p.m.
November 30 - Football parking fundraiser - TCU vs. Baylor
December 1 - Hanging of the Greens service led by youth - 6 p.m.
December 13 - Roots lock-in for 6th graders / high school mentors
December 27-31 - CYF Ski Retreat to Crested Butte, Colorado
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| Staff Links
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Russ Boyd, Associate Minister for Youth - E-mail Russ
Alison Nicoll, Assistant Minister for Middle School - E-mail Alison
Michael Yandell, Assistant Minister for High School - E-mail Michael
Sharyn Peterson, Ministry Assistant - E-mail Sharyn
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