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 Weekly E-News December 27, 2013
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Dear youth and parents,
I'm currently on a bus on the way to Colorado for the CYF Ski Retreat, and I'm looking forward to spending some time enjoying the beauty of God's creation with our high school youth and adult sponsors in Crested Butte. I will be posting some photos from the trip on the UCC Youth Facebook page, so be sure to "Like" the page to get those updates. Here's the link.
There are a couple of time sensitive items coming up that I wanted to be sure to promote in the e-news, so read on for more information on the All-Church Holiday Brunch (which will take the place of Sunday school classes this Sunday) and the parking fundraiser for the Armed Forces Bowl on Monday.
I hope that all of you had a merry and meaningful Christmas, and I'll look forward to seeing you in the new year!
Grace and Peace,
Russ |
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All-Church Holiday Potluck Brunch - Sunday at 10 a.m.
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In lieu of Sunday school classes this Sunday, December 29, UCC will have a Holiday Potluck Brunch at 10:00 a.m. in Room 207. Bring your favorite dish to share, and enjoy a time of fellowship that spans across generations. Preschool childcare will be available. Youth Sunday school classes will resume on January 6.
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Final football parking fundraiser of 2013: Armed Forces Bowl
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UCC youth and parents have one more opportunity to raise money for the youth ministry, handbell choirs, and their own camp/trip accounts: The Armed Forces Bowl, held at TCU's Amon G. Carter Stadium this Monday, December 30.
Since this is not a TCU game, there is no reserved parking and all of our lots are simply $20 per space on gameday (and free for military with ID). Kickoff is at 10:45 a.m., and we'll start parking cars at 8 a.m. and stop when the lots are full. Each individual and family member who parks earns $50 per hour worked to use toward trips, camps, and other church events, so be sure to use our online sign up to secure your shift!
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Parents: Have you heard about the Couples Retreat?
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Mark your calendar or UCC's Third Annual Couples Retreat, a chance to reflect, relax and reconnect at Still Water Lodge, located at Glen Lake Camp & Retreat Center in Glen Rose. This year's retreat will take place February 7-8 (Friday evening through Saturday afternoon) and learning sessions will utilize the LINKS curriculum, designed to help couples improve communication and learn to regularly diagnose and actively strengthen key aspects of their relationship. I (Russ) am actually a certified instructor for LINKS, and will facilitate the retreat. I have taught the LINKS principles at numerous Army-sponsored relationship enrichment retreats for soldiers and spouses around the country, and I'm excited to share this great program with couples at UCC. More information on LINKS is available at lovethinks.com.
The retreat cost is $215 per couple, and a $100 deposit reserves your spot. Click here to register online (ignore the deadline), and contact Jessica Vacketta at jessica@uccftw.com for more information.
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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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Youth events and key dates on the horizon...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 27-31 - CYF Ski Retreat to Crested Butte, Colorado
December 29 - All-Church Holiday Potluck Brunch - 10 a.m.
December 30 - Parking fundraiser for Armed Forces Bowl - 8-11 a.m.
January 12 - "Just Say Know" high school course begins
Jan 31 - Feb 2 - Chi Rho (grades 6-8) Midwinter Retreat at Disciples Crossing
February 9 - "Just Say Know" elementary school workshops
February 16 & 23 - "Just Say Know" middle school workshops
February 21-23 - CYF (grades 9-12) Midwinter Retreat at Disciples Crossing
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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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