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Weekly E-News

November 21, 2014

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in this issue

4th (almost) annual Youth Thanksgiving Feast this Sunday!

All youth on deck! Hanging of the Greens is November 30

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Dear youth and parents,

Our 8th-12th graders and adult chaperones had a great experience last Sunday as our Youth Interfaith Trialogue concluded here at UCC. Here are a couple of photos from our experience teaching Jewish and Muslim youth about our religion and our church:

The three faith communities divided up into mixed table groups for icebreakers and discussion in Fellowship Hall during the morning.

Jessica Lanter and two students from the Islamic Association of Tarrant County wait for the presentation in the sanctuary to begin. Participants received an orientation to the worship space and a demonstration of the pipe organ.

Youth participants (and a couple of chaperones) gather for a group photo in Fellowship Hall at the conclusion of the event.

Maddi Williams poses with some of her new Jewish and Muslim friends to show off their Trialogue t-shirts. If you would like one of the shirts (available in navy, purple, and gray) contact me at russ@uccftw.com. They are $10 each.

This Sunday all of the participating Sunday school classes will take time to debrief the multi-week event and provide feedback and ideas for future gatherings and ways to continue the partnership.

Michael, Alison, and I will all be spending time with family next week over the Thanksgiving holiday, and we're looking forward to some time away. We will all be back by November 29 and ready for the Hanging of the Greens service next Sunday. Read on for more information about participating in that service, and details on our Youth Thanksgiving Feast this Sunday evening (which parents are welcome to attend)!

Grace and Peace,
Russ

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4th (almost) annual Youth Thanksgiving Feast this Sunday!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanksgiving turkey

The 4th (almost) annual Youth Thanksgiving Feast will be this Sunday, November 23 and all 6th-12th graders, volunteers, and parents are invited. Turkey will be provided by the Perry family, and we ask that everyone bring a side or dessert to share. Food should be brought to the 3rd floor kitchen between 5 and 5:15 p.m. for setup, and from 5:30 to 6:30 we will enjoy dinner and fun Thanksgiving activities in Room 303.

If you plan to attend, please click the SignUpGenius icon below 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).

All youth on deck! Hanging of the Greens is November 30

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hanging of the Greens tree logo

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The annual Hanging of the Greens worship service that decorates our sanctuary for the seasons of Advent and Christmas will be led by our middle and high school youth on Sunday, November 30 at 5:30 p.m. Youth who would like a speaking part should be present in the sanctuary at 2:30 p.m. to rehearse, while all other youth should arrive by 3:30 p.m. to practice processing and hanging the greenery. (Handbell ringers: You can ring in the bell choir and have a speaking part if you like.) This service requires 50+ youth, so we need you if you're available!

If you purchased a long-sleeved Hanging of the Greens t-shirt in the past, plan to wear it. All participants who don't already have a Hanging of the Greens shirt will be given one to wear during the service. Participants can keep the shirt for only $10, and extra shirts will be available for the general public to purchase for $15. Click here to see the shirt design.

Youth events and key dates on the horizon...

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November 23 - Youth Thanksgiving Feast - 5:30 p.m.
November 30 - Hanging of the Greens service led by youth - meet at 3:30 p.m.
December 6 - TCU vs. ISU Football parking fundraiser - Kickoff TBA
December 7 - Youth Christmas parties in host homes - 5 p.m.
December 14 - Christmas Angels Wrap Night - 5 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

More ways to keep up...

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