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 Weekly E-News November 7, 2014
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Dear youth and parents,
Things are looking a little different on the third floor this week, thanks to some brand new flooring that replaced the well-worn carpet. Here are a couple of pics of the hallways so that you can see the results:
 
One of the blessings of UCC's healthy (and well-managed) endowment funds is that we are able to make capital improvements throughout the building every year, and I'm thankful that the halls traveled by many youth and adult volunteers were transformed this week. Be sure to come up and take a look the next time you're at church!
Read on for information about the next event in our Youth Interfaith Trialogue series, tomorrow's football parking fundraiser, training to volunteer with Room In The Inn, and more.
Grace and Peace,
Russ |
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Registration for baptism/confirmation class ends this week
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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 mornings at 10 a.m. beginning on December 7, and there is an orientation for all parents and participants on the evening of November 16. Click here for more information on the class, or click here to register online. The registration deadline for this year's class is this Wednesday, November 12.
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Middle school youth depart for Chi Rho Fall Retreat today
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A group of our middle school youth and adult sponsors will travel to Athens today for the Chi Rho Fall Retreat at our church camp, Disciples Crossing. Please keep this group in your prayers as they gather with middle school youth from Disciples churches all over north and east Texas to grow closer to God and one another on holy ground.
Retreat participants: Remember to meet at UCC at 5:30 p.m. to load the bus for camp, and be sure to eat dinner before you arrive! A packing list for the weekend is available here if you missed the e-mail earlier this week.
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Volunteers needed for football parking fundraiser tomorrow
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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 tomorrow, November 8 against Kansas State. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m., and we still need volunteers in shifts from 2:30 - 7:30 p.m. to control access to our season parking lots and direct cars/take money for the daily parking lots. To see which slots are available and reserve your shift (up to 3 hours), click the button below:
All volunteers are required to sign up online in advance of the fundraiser. If you are having trouble with the SignUpGenius page, please contact me at russ@uccftw.com and I will schedule your shift for you.
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Youth Interfaith Trialogue continues this Sunday morning
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 UCC's 8th-12th grade youth are joining Jewish and Muslim youth for an "interfaith trialogue" spread over four Sundays. Our youth participated in a similar event in 2009, and many of them list it as one of the highlights of their time at UCC. This year's event promises to be just as interesting, educational, and meaningful. The first gathering took place at Temple Beth-El on October 26. Here is the schedule for the next two Sundays:
November 9: Meet in reception area at 9:30 a.m. to carpool to Islamic Association (4901 Diaz Ave.) to learn about Islam. Program lasts from 10:00-12:00 and features a tour, presentation, and time in small groups to learn how Muslim youth live out their faith. Return to church by 12:30. 8th-12th grade Sunday school classes will not meet.
IMPORTANT: Modest dress is required for our visit to the mosque. All participants should wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks (or bring a pair of socks to wear when you remove your shoes to enter the worship area). Females can bring their own headscarf, but there will be plenty available at the mosque and the Muslim girls will help you put it on correctly.
November 16: Meet in Fellowship Hall at 9:30 a.m. to prepare to welcome Muslim and Jewish youth to UCC for a program on Christianity. We will provide a tour of the sanctuary, a presentation of Christian and Disciple beliefs and practices, and small group time that allows our youth to answer questions and share how they live out their faith. Program wraps up at noon. 8th-12th grade Sunday school classes will not meet.
Parents: If you would like to participate in any of these events and help out as a driver and chaperone, please contact me and let me know. The adults who participated in 2009 had a great time, learned a lot, and made friends with the Jewish and Muslim chaperones!
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Want to help with Room In The Inn? Get trained Sunday!
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Are you interested in volunteering with Room In The Inn? This incredible ministry provides our homeless neighbors with delicious meals, a shower, good company, and a peaceful night's sleep on Wednesday nights during the coldest and hottest months of the year. Volunteers help prepare and serve meals, dine and play card games with our guests, set up and clean up the dining and sleeping areas and more.
To participate in this ministry, plan to attend the volunteer training this Sunday, November 9 from 12:15-2:00 p.m. (lunch provided) and stop by the table in the Gallery on Sunday mornings to sign up for volunteer shifts during the winter. This is a wonderful opportunity to build relationships across generations while making a real difference in the lives of our homeless neighbors, so if you have time to help come be a part of Room In The Inn!
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Girls night out at the movies - November 14 at 6 p.m.
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Youth and adults are invited to a screening of The Book Thief, based on the novel by Marcus Zusak, on November 14 at 6 p.m. in Room 207. The film is rated PG-13, and you can click here for a parents guide that explains the rating. After the movie, the group will head to a nearby restaurant for dinner and discussion.
Please sign up at The Arches Information Desk, or by e-mailing Alison Nicoll at alison.nicoll@uccftw.com. Friends are welcome at this intergenerational event!
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Make your 2015 stewardship pledge online & support UCC!
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UCC's stewardshi p campaign for 2015 is underway, and this year's theme is "Who We Are: God's Hands and Feet." Please prayerfully consider your pledge commitment for the coming year and respond by turning in your pledge card or pledge online here by October 31.
Youth: Do you have an allowance? A part-time job? Income from babysitting or mowing lawns? Consider making a pledge to support your church! Just click here and take a minute to make your own stewardship pledge.
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Youth events and key dates on the horizon...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ November 7-9 - Chi Rho Fall Retreat (grades 6-8) at Disciples Crossing
November 8 - TCU vs. KSU Football parking fundraiser - 6:30 p.m. Kickoff
November 9 - Interfaith Trialogue for grades 8-12 - meet at 9:30 a.m.
November 14 - Girls night out at the movies - 6 p.m.
November 15-16 - CYF Fall Retreat (grades 9-12) at Disciples Crossing
November 16 - Disciples Class orientation - 5 p.m.
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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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