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 Weekly E-News December 7, 2013
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Dear youth and parents,
After a "snow day" that closed the church yesterday, your weekly UCC Youth E-News is finally here with details on several important events coming up soon! Read on for more information.
Grace and Peace,
Russ |
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4th annual Youth Thanksmas Feast this Sunday evening
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The threat of icy weather may have canceled evening activities on November 24, but never fear! The 4th annual Youth Thanksgiving Feast has been rescheduled for Sunday, December 8 (as a "Thanksmas Feast") 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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6th Grade Christmas Lock-In this Friday, December 13
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From Alison Nicoll, Assistant Minister for Middle School:
On Friday night, December 13, we will be having a Sixth Grade Lock-In! This is an event for all UCC Sixth Graders to gather together and get to know one another better. At this Christmas-themed event we will be playing Christmas games, watching Christmas movies, and decorating and eating Christmas cookies! The UCC high school youth participating as mentors in the Roots program will also be helping lead this event. The lock-in will start at 7 p.m. and end at 8:30 a.m. after a wonderful pancake breakfast prepared by Bob and Carol Stewart. Bring $5 to help cover food and supplies, wear some Christmas-themed attire, and be sure you have everything you need to spend the night at the church (sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, PJ's).
We are really excited about this event and look forward to seeing you at the UCC Sixth Grade Christmas Lock-In!
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Volunteer at Christmas Angels Wrap Night this Tuesday
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Families will gather at UCC this Tuesday from 6:00-8:30 p.m. for the annual Christmas Angels Wrap Night. Over the course of the evening, volunteers will assemble gift bags for over 500 counselor-identified FWISD students containing a jacket, shirt and pants, a book, a toy and a Bible.
Come ready to help on Tuesday night and make a difference in the lives of children in our community!
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Youth Christmas parties in host homes on December 16
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Our middle and high school youth will each have Christmas parties on Sunday night, December 16. Both parties will include a "re-gift" exchange - meaning that you wrap or bag a never-used item from your home to exchange (like a present you received and never used, or something you bought that's been sitting around ever since). Here are the other details for each party:
CYF Christmas Party (grades 9-12)
Hosted by the Lanter Family (2624 Boyd Ave.)
Main course and drinks provided
Bring your favorite holiday treat to share (dessert, appetizer, or side)
Prizes for the most festive holiday attire
Meet at the reception desk at 5:55 p.m. to go caroling at the homes of several church members before heading to the Lanters. Party ends at 8 p.m.
Chi Rho Christmas Party (grades 6-8)
Hosted by the Cox Family (2542 Stadium Dr.)
Main course and drinks provided
Bring your favorite holiday treat to share (dessert, appetizer, or side)
Party begins at 6:15 and ends at 8:00
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Register today 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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Disciples Class registration deadline is December 15
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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...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 8 - Youth Thanksmas Feast - 6:30 p.m.
December 13 - 6th Grade Christmas Lock-In - 7 p.m.
December 15 - Disciples Class registration deadline
December 15 - Youth Christmas parties hosted by Cox/Lanter families
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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