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Small UCC youth logo
     Weekly E-News

                May 9, 2014

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in this issue
Registration deadline for summer camps this Sunday!
Sunday evening youth groups on break for the summer
Registration continues for the Chi Rho Mission Trip to Austin
Latte With The Ladies this Saturday at The Cup
Roots end-of-the-year event on Sunday morning, May 18
Youth (and parents): Volunteer to help with VBS this summer

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Dear youth and parents,

What an incredible week for UCC's youth ministry! On Sunday our youth did an outstanding job leading the morning worship services, and I cannot tell you how many  people have called, e-mailed, or stopped by to let me know how much they appreciated every aspect of the s
ervices. From the sermons to the prayers to the solos to the bell choirs to the communion and offering servers, people went on and on about the impression that YoutYouth Sunday 2014h Sunday made on them. Perhaps most tellingly, many people talked about how it shaped the way that they view not just the youth ministry, but our church overall. After spending so much time over the last few years working toward many of the hallmarks associated with the Sticky Faith initiative, those responses really said a lot to me about how the congregation thinks of our young people: not as a specific program or an appendage, but as an integral part of our church.


On Wednesday night we celebrated our high school graduates at the Senior Banquet, and nearly 100 people attended to let them know that they are loved by this congregation. I am thankful to Susan Rogers and an outstanding team of volunteers for putting on a memorable event, and I have heard from so many people there that it was a very touching rite of passage. Maintaining a strong connection with the congregation during college is another major hallmark in developing a faith that sticks past graduation, and this banquet and the participation of so many members of the congregation really provides a solid foundation for that continued connection.

Read on for more information about the summer camp registration deadline, a Roots end-of-the-year event, and more.


Grace and Peace,
Russ 
     


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Registration deadline for summer camps this Sunday!
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Youth and children from Pre-K through 12th grade have the opportunity to grow closer to God and one another this summer at Disciples Crossing, our church camp in Athens. There are 12 different camps spread across the summer, each with a different focus. Use the links below to access:

Camp descriptions, dates, and prices (2 pages)
 
 
Remember that UCC is covering half of the registration cost for those who register early (already reflected in the documents above), and additional scholarships are available to cover the early-bird price if needed. Camp forms will be processed by Pam Santangelo in the UCC business office this year, and you're welcome to drop off your forms at the main reception desk at any time to get them into Pam's mailbox. The regular price deadline for camps is this Sunday, May 11, so be sure to turn in your forms this weekend! 
 

 


Sunday evening youth groups on break for the summer
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Our end-of-the-year water games night capped a great year of Sunday night youth groups, and all Sunday evening programming for youth and children is now on break until next fall. In the meantime, there will be several fellowship events throughout the summer that will provide great opportunities for our youth to get together to take in a Rangers game, play at Main Event, or catch a movie at the drive-in. Check the e-news each week for details on upcoming events, and we'll look forward to seeing you there!

 


Registration continues for the Chi Rho Mission Trip to Austin
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Middle school youth have a great opportunity to serve others and have fun together this summer. The Chi Rho Mission Trip to Austin for grades 6-8 will take place June 15-18. The group will be working at several different organizations and cooling off at Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunfels at the end of the trip. Cost is $175 per person and full or half scholarships are available upon request. Full details are available on the registration flyer.

Registrations will be processed by Pam Santangelo in the UCC business office, and you can turn in the completed registration flyer and $50 deposit to the main reception desk (along with your summer camp forms) to get them into Pam's mailbox.
Click here for a tally sheet to figure out your check totals in advance. 

 


Latte With The Ladies this Saturday at The Cup
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Latte With The Ladies, a monthly intergenerational gathering for women at a local  coffee shop, will be this Saturday, May 10. Ladies of all ages are invited to gather at The Cup (3909 Camp Bowie Blvd.) between 9 and 11 a.m. for tasty beverages and informal conversation. Invite a friend and drop in this Saturday morning!    


 


Roots end-of-the-year event on Sunday morning, May 18
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From Alison Nicoll, Assistant Minister for Middle School: 

 

Roots participants! On Sunday, May 18 during the Sunday School hour (10:00-10:50 a.m.), 6th graders and high school mentors will be capping off the end of the Roots year together. During this time we will be catching up with one another, learning about summer plans, and celebrating the relationships we have built with good food and fun activities to commemorate this year. This will be a great way to end our year together and I can't wait to see you there! 

 

 


Youth (and parents): Volunteer to help with VBS this summer
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From Kera Watts, Director of Children's Ministry:  

 

Feeling sad that you are too old to participate in Vacation Bible School? Don't be - we NEED YOU! Take time during VBS week (June 24-27 from 9 a.m. - noon) to step back to your preschool or elementary days and share some of your energy, enthusiasm, and spirit with kids. More importantly, young children are looking up to you, think you are great, and want to be like you. Create relationships that will last years by spending time with kids during VBS teaching, learning, and having fun together.

You can sign
up as a volunteer online by clicking here. We need to know you are coming so we can match you with the best job available, so please take the time to clear your calendar for June 24-27 and sign up today!  Additional VBS information is available at www.ucckids.org.

 


Youth events and key dates on the horizon...
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May 11 - Regular price deadline for summer camp registrations
May 18 - Roots end-of-year event - 10 a.m.
June 15-18 - Chi Rho Mission Trip to Austin
June 24-27 - Vacation Bible School (youth volunteers needed)
June 29-July 6 - CYF Mission Trip to Yakama Christian Mission 


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
Susan Henry, Ministry Assistant - E-mail Susan
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