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 Weekly E-News December 5, 2014
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Dear youth and parents,
First off, I wanted to say thanks to the dozens of youth and adults who helped lead the Hanging of the Greens service on Sunday evening. Youth and adult sponsors came to the sanctuary throughout the afternoon to practice readings parts and learn to process and hang the greenery, the children's choirs (who had already sung in the morning services) rehearsed and sang several beautiful pieces, and I'm thankful that so many people devoted so much time to such a meaningful service. Here are a couple of pictures:   Read on for more information on Saturday's football parking fundraiser, Sunday's youth Christmas parties, my upcoming three-month sabbatical, and more.
Grace and Peace,
Russ |
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Next football parking fundraiser this Saturday morning
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Football season is almost over, and youth and parents have two more opportunities to raise money by parking cars in the church lots for 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 final TCU home game is this Saturday, December 6 against Iowa State. Kickoff is at 11:00 a.m., and we will need volunteers in shifts from 6:30 a.m. - 12:00 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.
Also, please be sure to mark your calendar for the last parking fundraiser of the year - the Armed Forces Bowl on January 2.
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Youth Christmas parties in host homes this Sunday evening
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Our middle and high school youth will each have Christmas parties in host homes this Sunday night, December 7, during the normal youth group time slots (5-7 p.m.) Here are the other details for each party:
CYF Christmas Party (grades 9-12)
Hosted by the Lanter Family (2624 Boyd Ave.)
Prizes for the most festive holiday attire
Main course and drinks provided
Bring your favorite holiday treat to share (dessert, appetizer, or side)
Re-gift exchange: Wrap or bag a never-used item from your home to exchange (like a present you received and never used, or something you bought that's been sitting around ever since).
Chi Rho Christmas Party (grades 6-8)
Hosted by the Coffey Family (2566 Shirley Ave.)
Main course and drinks provided
Bring your favorite holiday treat to share (dessert, appetizer, or side)
Goofy gift exchange: Bring a wrapped or bagged silly gift that's $5 or less
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Volunteer with Christmas Angels Wrap Night on Dec. 14
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The Christmas Angels Ministry has been an outreach project at UCC for eighteen years. This church-wide ministry supports economically disadvantaged children in our local community by providing them with much needed clothing for the cooler weather: a new coat, sweatshirt, jeans, shoes, underwear and socks as well as an age-appropriate toy and book. On Sunday, December 14 from 5-8 p.m. we will gather to assemble the gift bags. Children, youth, and adults are invited to come help with this important event. Childcare available for younger kids if reservation is made with Ann Bowling (817-926-6631) by December 10.
Check out the video below to learn more about Christmas Angels:
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Russ begins a three-month sabbatical on December 21
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In October I reached 7 years as Associate Minister for Youth here at UCC, and I am blessed to have the opportunity to take a three month sabbatical for rest, renewal, and study. During those three months I am looking forward to:
- Driving home to Virginia for an extended holiday stay with my family (who will appreciate extra time with grandkids).
- Taking my oldest daughter, Bell, to Washington, DC for a couple of days to visit some museums and kid-friendly sites.
- Taking a trip to England and Scotland with Sarah over Spring Break to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, explore my ancestral roots in Kilmarnock, and visit some churches doing innovative ministry in a "post-Christian" context.
- Attending the 2nd annual Progressive Youth Ministry Conference in Chicago, where I will connect and learn alongside my peers from churches theologically similar to UCC.
- Spending extra time with my family, exercising more, reading more, tackling some projects at my house, and taking some classes here in town.
Alison, Michael, and Susan will be covering the majority of my duties during my absence, assisted by several of the Associate Ministers on staff. I have no doubt they will do a great job, but I appreciate your prayers as they take on extra work in my absence and I seek to make the most of my time away. I will look forward to sharing about my experiences after I return the week of March 23!
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Youth events and key dates on the horizon...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ December 6 - TCU vs. ISU Football parking fundraiser - 11 a.m. kickoff
December 7 - Youth Christmas parties in host homes - 5 p.m.
December 14 - Christmas Angels Wrap Night - 5 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
December 21 - Russ begins a three-month sabbatical
January 2 - Armed Forces Bowl - Final football parking fundraiser
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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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