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Small UCC youth logo
     Weekly E-News

               February 7, 2014

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in this issue
Evening programs resume this Sunday, February 9
CYF Midwinter Retreat: Last call for registrations
Last week to register for middle school Just Say Know class!
Latte with the Ladies at Blue Bonnet Bakery this Saturday
Snack supper volunteer needed for April 6...(last empty slot)
Roots game night for 6th graders and mentors February 20
Save the date for summer camps and mission trips

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Dear youth and parents,

I spent most of this week attending an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop, a continuing education opportunity paid for by the Army that directly benefits UCC.  During the training we learned how to intervene when we encounter someone who is thinking about suicide and get them to a place of safety and support.  The instructors, videos, and role playing all work together to help participants feel more comfortable handling situations that can be very difficult to navigate.  This is my second time through the training (it's been over two years, so I was due to re-certify) and I was impressed that the organization that runs the course (Living Works) updates the material every year based on the latest research and techniques.  Bottom line for you as a congregant at UCC: If you are thinking about suicide, or encounter someone who is, I am a resource you can contact to intervene in the situation. Please don't hesitate to do so.

Read on for more information on Just Say Know workshops, CYF Midwinter Retreat, dates for summer camps and mission trips, and more.


Grace and Peace,
Russ 
     


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Evening programs resume this Sunday, February 9
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After a week off, UCC's Sunday evening programs will resume this Sunday, February 9.  As a reminder, our regular Sunday evening schedule is:

5:00 p.m. The Search worship in Fellowship Hall
6:00 p.m. Snack supper ($3) in the 3rd floor kitchen
6:30 p.m. Youth groups and Disciples Class, 3rd floor classrooms
7:45 p.m. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here 


 

  

Like us on Facebook  CYF Midwinter Retreat: Last call for registrations! 

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Our youth have the opportunity to join others from Disciple churches around the area for two upcoming winter retreats at Disciples Crossing, our church camp in Athens. The Chi Rho Midwinter Retreat for grades 6-8 was January 31 - February 2, and the CYF Midwinter Retreat for grades 9-12 is February 21-23. These annual retreats offer youth the opportunity to grow closer to God and one another through worship, recreation, prayer, small groups, and interest groups that include options like sports, dance, art, service, photography, and more.

Participants will meet at UCC at 5:30 p.m. on the Friday each  retreat begins to share a charter bus to camp, and will return around 12:30 p.m. the following Sunday. The cost for each retreat is $45 and full scholarships are available upon request. Registration forms for the CYF retreat were due to the Youth Office by February 2, but there is still space available.  You can download a form by clicking here 
 
 

 

 

Last week to register for middle school Just Say Know class!
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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 upcoming classes is as follows:


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 Your 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!  

   

 


Latte with the Ladies at Blue Bonnet Bakery this Saturday
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Latte With The Ladies, a monthly intergenerational gathering for women at a local  coffee shop, will be this Saturday, February 8. Ladies of all ages are invited to gather at Blue Bonnet Bakery (4705 Camp Bowie Blvd.) between 9 and 11 a.m. for tasty beverages and informal conversation.  Invite a friend and drop in this Saturday morning!

 


Snack supper volunteer needed for April 6 (last empty slot!)
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From Pam Miller, Snack Supper Coordinator:Snack supper graphic

Youth parents! See the youth up close, personal and appreciative by ser
ving Snack  Supper on Sunday night. Snack supper is a great way to see and get to know the youth, and it's fun!

The commitment is for one Sunday evening, from about 5-7 p.m., plus cooking or shopping time - you decide how much time you want to spend on preparation. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. in the third floor kitchen for 25-35 youth and college students. All the paper goods, cutlery, drink supplies, and most condiments are there for you. You provide the food, fix lemonade (provided), serve everything and clean up. You can choose to donate the meal, or you can be reimbursed up to $100 if you provide receipts. If you need suggestions on meal planning, you can contact me at [email protected] . You will receive a reminder e-mail the week before your snack supper that includes additional useful tips.

The third floor kitchen can be used anytime between morning services and the time to serve the meal. (Sandwiches are just as popular as anything else, so cooking isn't required if that's not your thing.) If you prefer to purchase all or part of the food already prepared, that's great too. There's also a fridge and freezer you can stash things in.

Ready to volunteer? Sign up for our last available date (April 6) on our SignUp Genius page


 


Roots game night for 6th graders and mentors February 20
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From Alison Nicoll, Assistant Minister for Middle School:Roots image
 

All UCC 6th graders and high school mentors are invited to a Roots Pizza and Game Night on Thursday, February 20 from 6:00-7:30 p.m! We will be enjoying some delicious pizza and playing all forms of games from board games to group games (Quidditch, anyone?) This will also be a time for high school mentors and 6th grade mentees to hang out and check-in with one another. Meet us in the third floor kitchen with $5 to help with the cost of pizza and be prepared to play some games!

   

 

 


Save the date for summer camps and mission trips
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A great summer filled with camps at Disciples Crossing and mission trips to Austin and  Yakama Christian Mission in Washington is just around the corner.  Be sure to mark these dates on your calendar so that you can plan your summer schedule around these meaningful opportunities to serve others and grow closer to God on holy ground. (Grades in parentheses indicate grade completed.)

Grand Camp 1 (age 4 - grade 3 w/ adult): May 30 - June 1
Grand Camp 2 (age 4 - grade 3 w/ adult): August 1-3
Discovery Camp (grades 2-3 w/ adult): May 23-25
Family Camp (all ages, must have a child 18 or under): June 6-8
JYF Camp 1 (grades 4-5): June 30 - July 4
JYF Camp 2 (grades 4-5): July 21-25
Chi Rho Camp (grades 6-7): July 7-12
Eighter's Camp (8th grade): July 6-12
Niner's Camp (9th grade): June 23-28
CYF Conference (grades 10-12): June 16-21
MAD Camp (Music/Art/Drama, grades 6-9): June 9-14
Equine Camp (Riding horses, grades 6-12): July 28 - August 1
Racial Reconciliation Camp (grades 9-12): July 14-18

Chi Rho Mission Trip to Austin, Texas (grades 6-8): June 15-18
CYF Mission Trip to White Swan, Washington (grades 9-12): June 29 - July 6

In March we will be mailing all the materials you need so register for these camps and trips, including descriptions, prices, and forms.  This year UCC will automatically pay half the registration cost using funds from TCU football parking.  Scholarships will be available upon request to provide additional assistance. 
 


Youth events and key dates on the horizon...
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February 9 - "Just Say Know" elementary school workshops
February 16 & 23 - "Just Say Know" middle school workshops
February 20 - Roots pizza and game night for 6th graders and mentors
February 21-23 - CYF (grades 9-12) Midwinter Retreat at Disciples Crossing
March 9-15 - Spring Break Mission Pilgrimage to El Paso (3rd grade - adult)  


More ways to keep up...


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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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